Theatre with concentration in Drama Therapy (M.A.)

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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.

30 semester credits are required, including a minimum of 6 courses (18 credits) in drama therapy, one course in dramatic literature (3 credits), one other course in theatre (3 credits), and at least two electives in psychology or marriage and family therapy (6 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 National Association for Drama Therapy’s Alternative Training Program. Other alternative training requirements can be earned through additional course electives in drama therapy and psychology beyond the basic 30 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.

Master’s Degree Requirements

Students are admitted on the basis of their undergraduate transcripts and three letters of recommendation. A major in theatre is expected, but students with degrees in other areas may take undergraduate courses to make up deficiencies. A 3.0 overall undergraduate average is required, but students who do not meet this requirement may be admitted on probation.

There are three categories to the degree requirements:

Core Courses (24 credits)

THTRE 664 - Creative Drama Credits: (3)
THTRE 665 - Drama Therapy with Special Populations Credits: (3)
THTRE 760 - Principles of Drama Therapy Credits: (3)
THTRE 770 - Creative Arts Therapies Credits: (3)
THTRE 862 - Workshop in Playwriting Credits: (3)
THTRE 865 - Ethics and Professionalism in Drama Therapy Credits: (3)
THTRE 870 - Greek and Roman Theatre Credits: (3)
One Acting, Directing, Technical Theatre, Design, or Theatre Management course at the 600 level or above.

Elective Courses (6 credits)

At least two electives in psychology or family studies, as required by the National Association for Drama Therapy (areas include Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Group Dynamics, Advanced Counseling, and/or Theories of Personality).

Project, Report, or Thesis

a. Project:

Demonstration of competence in a specific area of theatre. (No credit)

b. Report:

Writing of a research paper for the purpose of gathering and assimilating information on a particular theatre topic. (2 credits)

c. Thesis:

Writing of a lengthy research paper making an original contribution to the field of theatre study. (6 credits)

Kansas State University

Course Catalog