MA/MFA in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre
Boston, USA
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 1,402 / per credit **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Priority decision: February 1. Late application deadline: July 1.
** additional fees may apply. Scholarships are available
Key Summary
Introduction
About the Graduate Theatre Education & Applied Theatre Programs
As one of the largest graduate programs of its kind in the country, Emerson College’s on-campus Theatre Education & Applied Theatre MA and MFA programs prepare you to use theatre to create learning experiences that transform lives and communities.
Housed in the Department of Performing Arts in the School of the Arts, the programs allow you to grow and refine your craft as an artist and an educator. Coursework focuses on principles like social justice, anti-racism, and youth-led activism.
We offer three graduate programs, an MA in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre, an MA in Theatre Education: Licensure, and an MFA in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre.
Master of Arts in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre, 36 Credits
Program at a glance:
- 36 credit Masters of Arts program
- Opportunities to take coursework in either Theatre Education or Applied Theatre
- This program is designed for students with 0-5 years of work experience or career changers who are passionate about theatre, who want to explore careers in, after-school and out-of-school youth programs, private education, the education and community engagement offices of professional theatres, or using theatre as a catalyst for social justice or civic engagement with youth or adults. The program is also suitable for those interested in pursuing their doctoral degree
- As our most flexible degree program, you choose electives that fulfill personal or professional interests
- This program does not offer Massachusetts public school teaching licensure
As a student in our MA in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre graduate program, you’ll learn foundational theories and practices of theatre education and applied theatre. Choose core courses in either Theatre Education or Applied Theatre or a combination to focus on your professional interests. The program is designed for students with a background in theatre who want to grow their knowledge of the uses of drama with youth and adults in and beyond education and more. Theatre Education courses build knowledge and skills in arts-based education in PK-12 spaces, after-school programs, regional theatres, and community arts organizations. Applied Theatre courses focus on using theatre for healing, social justice, and joy with youth or adults in nontraditional places, such as prisons, hospitals, or community centers.
This program does not offer public school teaching licensure.
Masters of Arts in Theatre Education: Licensure, 40 Credits
Program at a glance:
- 40 credit Master of Arts program
- This program’s focus is Theatre Education
- Designed for students with 0-5 years of work experience or career changers who are passionate about theatre, who want to explore careers teaching PK-12 and after-school programs, or pursue their doctoral degree
- Your main focus will be learning the foundations of teaching and practicing them in school settings
- This program offers students initial licensure in Massachusetts
Students in our MA in Theatre Education: Licensure graduate program learn foundational theories and practices of theatre education and teaching. Designed for students interested in teaching PK-12 public classrooms, you will earn your initial licensure in Massachusetts as a theatre teacher for all education levels. This program prepares you for opportunities across PK–12 classrooms and after-school programs.
This Theatre Education program is reviewed and accredited by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. For students pursuing licensure, permission to proceed to the student teaching practicum is required and based upon the successful completion of coursework and field experience. A portfolio review for these same students is needed for the end of their student teaching practicum. These students must also pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure to receive their initial license.
This program does offer public school initial teaching licensure.
Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre Program, 48 Credits
Program at a glance:
- 48 credit Master of Fine Arts program
- Opportunities to take coursework in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre
- Designed for students with several years of work experience as teaching artists and theatre practitioners who want to deepen their craft, contribute to research and practices in the field, and prepare for leadership positions in regional theatres, arts organizations, or educational spaces, teaching in higher education, or pursue their doctoral degree
- Your main focus will be completing a year-long thesis
- This program does not offer students initial licensure in Massachusetts
As a student in our MFA program, you’ll build upon your existing skills as a theatre-maker, theatre educator, and community practitioner. Our MFA is designed for working artists and theatre educators with experience in youth and community settings who have clarity about their artistic voice, teaching style, and social justice commitments.
After graduation, you’ll be prepared to compose and direct theatre programs in youth and community settings; hold leadership positions in educational and engagement offices at regional theatres; and contribute to the theatre community through conference presentations, publications, and more. Choose coursework in either Theatre Education, Applied Theatre, or a combination of both to focus on your professional interests.
Students interested in teaching at the college level, or earning their Doctorate are encouraged to apply. This program does not offer public school teaching licensure.
Admissions
Curriculum
We’re proud to offer three graduate programs in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre, all housed in the Department of Performing Arts in the School of the Arts here at Emerson College.
- Master of Arts in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre, 36 credits
- Master of Arts in Theatre Education: Licensure, 40 credits
- Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre Program, 48 credits
The 40-credit Theatre Education: Licensure program focuses solely on theatre education. Students pursuing this degree can earn initial teaching licensure in Massachusetts.
The 36-credit MA in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre and the 48-credit MFA in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre offer foundational coursework in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre and opportunities to focus on either or a combination of the two.
Program Outcome
Benefits of All Three Programs
All three of our graduate programs offer students one-on-one mentorship with graduate faculty. During this time, mentors advise students on interests like student teaching, theatre for young audiences, community-based practice, and theatre for social change. Mentors provide academic advising, career guidance, and network connections.
Students also enjoy opportunities to learn from the production, education, and engagement teams at ArtsEmerson, Boston’s leading presenter of world theatre, and HowlRound, a famous community platform for theatre artists to share resources and expertise. Interested students may be able to work with ArtsEmerson through either part-time employment or internships.
Benefits of the Master of Arts in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre
- Students in the MA in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre program can choose their electives based on their professional interests. With a wide range of electives, including social justice, theatre production, and direct community engagement, you’ll be exposed to different aspects of theatre and focus on what you enjoy best.
- Students in this program hone their interests by choosing an area of interest in Theatre Education or Applied Theatre and taking courses specific to these fields.
Benefits of the Master of Arts in Theatre Education: Licensure
- Students in the MA in Theatre Education: Licensure program earn Massachusetts initial licensure as a theatre teacher for PK-12 in public school settings.
- We’re proud to offer student teaching opportunities at local schools in the Boston area.
Benefits of the Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre
- MFA students begin thinking about their thesis from the start of their first class and work with their advisor and faculty to workshop and develop ideas throughout their program. Students are encouraged to think critically about how their coursework can connect to their future thesis, research work, and career goals.
- MFA students participate in a colloquium series during their thesis year, which meets four times a year. The colloquium provides students with the opportunity to attend workshops by guest artists, go behind the scenes with ArtsEmerson, and enhance and broaden their knowledge outside of the traditional classroom.
- There are some opportunities to work as teaching assistants in undergraduate courses during the MFA program, offering valuable experience and resumé credentials.
Career Outlook for Theatre Education & Applied Theatre Graduates
Employees with a master's degree earn $229 more a week than those with a bachelor’s, and from 2020 to 2021, arts and cultural goods in the U.S. added $1 trillion to the U.S. economy alone. Graduates of our programs can expect careers like:
MA Theatre Education & Applied Theatre
- Pre-K–12 private school teacher
- Teaching artist in after-school or out-of-school programs
- Education or community engagement staff at professional theatres, arts organizations, or nonprofits
MA Theatre Education: Licensure
- Pre-K–12 public and private school teacher
- Teaching artists in after-school programs, school-based workshops
- Educational staff at professional theatres and arts organizations
MFA Theatre Education & Applied Theatre
- Pre-K–12 public and private school teacher
- Educational staff/leadership at professional theatres, community arts organizations, and nonprofits
- Artistic director, managing director, and other leadership positions at professional theatres or other nonprofit organizations
Program Tuition Fee
Gallery
Ideal Students
Both the MA and the MFA in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre programs are designed for students who have majored in, work in, or are interested in theatre, theatre education, teaching, directing, or community activism. Our students aspire to teach the next generation of theatre lovers and often pursue careers in teaching in PK-12 settings, universities, community theaters, and nonprofit settings.
Career Opportunities
Career Outlook for Theatre Education & Applied Theatre Graduates
Employees with a master’s degree earn up to $12,000 more per year with a master’s than those with a bachelor’s, and from 2020 to 2021, arts and cultural goods in the U.S. added $1 trillion to the U.S. economy alone. Graduates of our programs can expect careers like:
MA Theatre Education & Applied Theatre
- Pre-K–12 private school teacher
- Teaching artist in after-school or out-of-school programs
- Education or community engagement staff at professional theatres, arts organizations, or nonprofits
MA Theatre Education: Licensure
- Pre-K–12 public and private school teacher
- Teaching artists in after-school programs, school-based workshops
- Educational staff at professional theatres and arts organizations
MFA Theatre Education & Applied Theatre
- Pre-K–12 public and private school teacher
- Educational staff/leadership at professional theatres, community arts organizations, and nonprofits
- Artistic director, managing director, and other leadership positions at professional theatres or other nonprofit organizations