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Program Description
This research-based PhD program in Educational Theatre is designed for individuals who intend to pursue positions as academics, researchers, scholars, curriculum developers, and educational consultants. Doctoral studies provide comprehensive research and artistic training to enable graduates to have a significant impact on scholarship in educational theatre. Students gain a foundation in education, cognate study, research electives, and course work in a specialized research methodology, as well as develop their expertise in one of four areas of specialization
- Drama in Education (i.e., studies in drama/theatre curriculum, special education, integrated arts, assessment and evaluation)
- Applied Theatre (i.e., studies in community-based theatre, theatre of the oppressed, the teaching artist, diversity and inclusion)
- Theatre for Young Audiences and Play Production (i.e., studies in acting, directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, dramatic literature, arts-based research methodologies)
- Drama Therapy (Note that this PhD is not a credentialing program leading to licensure. See Drama Therapy (MA) if that is your area of interest.)
Admissions
Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:
- Résumé/CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- Proficiency in English
See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.
See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
A total of 54-60 credits beyond the master’s degree (depending on the student’s previous academic background) is required for the PhD degree. This includes 36 credits in general degree requirements and a minimum of 18 credits in educational theatre to be selected in consultation with a doctoral adviser, according to the student’s area of interest and professional goals. PhD students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in residence beyond the master’s degree.
Upon completion of coursework, students must register in a 1-credit collegium in performing arts education research each semester in order to maintain matriculation MPAIA-GE 3400 .
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| 6 |
| Sociology of Education | |
APSY-GE 2114 | | |
PHED-GE 2400 | | |
| The American School: A History | |
| 15 |
RESCH-GE 2135 | | |
| Case Study/Ethnographic Inquiry | |
| Interview & Observation | |
| Participatory Action Research | |
| Fieldwork Data Collection | |
| Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences I | |
| Statistics for Behav and Social Sciences II | |
| Interm Quantitative Methods: General Linear Model | |
| Introductory Statistical Inference in R | |
| Causal Inference | |
| Multi-Level Modeling Growth Curve | |
APSTA-GE 2955 | | |
| 18-24 |
MPAET-GE 2021 | | |
| Dramatic Activities in The Elementary Classroom | |
| Dramatic Activities in the Secondary Classroom | |
| Theory of Creative Drama | |
| Methods of Conducting Creative Drama | |
MPAET-GE 2091 | | |
| Drama Across The Curric and Beyond | |
MPAET-GE 2092 | | |
| Drama With Special Populations | |
| Exploring Shakespeare in The Classroom | |
| Teaching Literacy Through Drama | |
| Understanding Diversity Teaching Pluralism | |
| Assessment of Student Work in Drama | |
ENGED-GE 2540 | | |
| 6 |
| MPAET-GE 2193 | Drama in Education I | 3 |
| MPAET-GE 3005 | Doct Proposal Seminar | 3 |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 54-60 |
Additional Program Requirements
A candidacy examination is given approximately halfway through the academic work to determine if students have reached competency.
Both a proposal and a dissertation are required of all PhD students. PhD students must defend their dissertation during an oral examination. Three full-time faculty members are required to serve on doctoral students’ dissertation committee.
Sample Plan of Study
Full-Time
Plan of Study Grid
| 1st Semester/Term |
|---|
| MPAET-GE 2077 |
Meth/Mater of Research in Ed Theatre () |
3 |
| MPAET-GE 2193 |
Drama in Education I |
3 |
| RESCH-GE 2140 |
Approaches/Qualitative Inquiry () |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 2nd Semester/Term |
|---|
|
3 |
|
6 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 3rd Semester/Term |
|---|
|
3 |
|
6 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 4th Semester/Term |
|---|
| MPAET-GE 3005 |
Doct Proposal Seminar |
3 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 5th Semester/Term |
|---|
|
3 |
|
9 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| | Total Credits | 60 |
Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GE 4747) course. All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.
Part-Time
Plan of Study Grid
| 1st Semester/Term |
|---|
| MPAET-GE 2077 |
Meth/Mater of Research in Ed Theatre () |
3 |
| MPAET-GE 2193 |
Drama in Education I |
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| 2nd Semester/Term |
|---|
| RESCH-GE 2140 |
Approaches/Qualitative Inquiry () |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| 3rd Semester/Term |
|---|
| MPADT-GE 2100 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| 4th Semester/Term |
|---|
|
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| 5th Semester/Term |
|---|
|
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| 6th Semester/Term |
|---|
|
6 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| 7th Semester/Term |
|---|
|
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| 8th Semester/Term |
|---|
| MPAET-GE 3005 |
Doct Proposal Seminar |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| 9th Semester/Term |
|---|
|
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| 10th Semester/Term |
|---|
|
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| | Total Credits | 60 |
Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GE 4747) course. All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Demonstrate competence around the artistic processes outlined in the Educational Theatre Doctoral Handbook.
- Engage in systematic and ongoing analysis as a reflective practitioner.
- Demonstrate competence around arts-based, qualitative, and/or quantitative research paradigms.
- Create, design, and implement original research projects that expand upon existing scholarship.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Steinhardt Academic Policies
Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.