Kansas State University is one of the few master level theatre programs in the U.S. which offers a concentration in drama therapy, which is offered through the Music, Theatre, and Dance graduate program. One of the strengths of the program is its strong theatre base and opportunities for creating drama-in-education, theatre-in-education, or issue-based community projects. Service learning and internships are incorporated into courses to provide students with direct client contact experiences.
34 semester credits are required, including a minimum of 8 courses (24 credits) in drama therapy, 1 course in research (1 credit), and at least three electives in psychology, counseling and student development, educational leadership, family studies and human services, or anthropology (9 credits). Students are encouraged to participate in drama therapy internships and practica throughout their course of study.
Drama Therapy students are required to focus their creative projects on an aspect of drama therapy. The KSU MA program fulfills many of the requirements of the North American Drama Therapy Association’s Alternative Training Program. Other alternative training requirements can be earned through additional course electives in drama therapy and psychology beyond the basic 34 hours of the MA.
Students in the drama therapy concentration may apply for Graduate Teaching Assistantship positions in Public Speaking, Introduction to Theatre, or Acting. These GTA positions cover the cost of tuition and pay an additional stipend.
