Master of Education
Program Description
The Department of Theatre is accredited by the National Association of Schools of
Theatre (NAST). The Master of Education in Theatre Education program is designed to
provide teachers of theatre with in-depth training in the art of theatre. The program
is designed as a three-summer program.
Educator Preparation at Columbus State University is accredited by the National Council
for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the Georgia Professional
Standards Commission.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of the MEd in Theatre, the candidate may teach or continue to teach at K-12 schools or continue their education with a PhD or MFA in Theatre. Candidates may also work toward theatre certification while working on their MEd.
Admission Requirements
Apply and get accepted into CSU as a Graduate student. Use the online application found on the CSU website under Graduate Program. General Requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. (If your undergraduate degree is not in theatre, you may have to take additional courses to supplement your theatre study.)
- Application plus $40 application fee
- Certificate of Immunization (PDF online)
- Official transcript from each college and university attended
- Test scores from the GRE, GMAT, MAT or other standardize test as required by the individual degree program. (The GRE is not required for the MEd in Theatre if your undergraduate degree GPA is a 2.75 or above)
- Verification and proof of Lawful presence
Send the following to the Theatre Department:
- Cover letter/letter of intent
- Statement of Philosophy of Teaching of Theatre
- Resume or vitae
- Three letters of recommendation
- Copies of transcripts
Send to: Brenda May Ito, CSU Department of Theatre, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, GA 31907 or may_brenda@columbusstate.edu
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Use the techniques of the theatre artist to improve the learning process across the curriculum and in the differentiated classroom.
- Demonstrate effective pedagogical strategy and practical teaching effectiveness through development of curriculum and instruction as the vehicle for addressing student needs.
- Apply appropriate research methods in constructing thesis paper, and for creating a more complex understanding of how the dramatic arts can impact the curriculum in P-12 schools and the community as a whole.
- Demonstrate and assess practical skills for the creation and production of plays in P-12 schools.
- Analyze previous research, attitudes, and performance theories in theatre arts from a critical perspective.
Additional Program Requirements
This Degree is subject to the following requirements:
- The program is an on-site three summer program, but it is possible to take some education courses online.
- Students must earn a 3.0 GPA calculated on all graduate work attempted. "Academic Forgiveness" policy does not apply to graduate studies.
- Students cannot graduate with a grade of "C" or below in more than two (2) graduate courses (may be appealed to the College of Education Graduate Council).
- A minimum of 27 hours of the hours required for the degree must be earned in residence (75%). Asynchronous (online) and distance learning courses administered through Columbus State University constitute courses taken in residence.
- A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of transfer credit or courses taken at CSU prior to full admission to a master degree program may be applied toward the degree. Courses with earned grades of "C" or below cannot be transferred. The student's advisor and the coordinator of the program in which the student is enrolled must approve any courses transferred.
- All degree requirements must be completed within seven (7) years of first enrollment.
Program of Study
Area 1 Content Concentration Required Hours: 10
Take the following courses (7 hours):
THEA 5283G Advanced Directing
THEA 6106 Intro to Graduate Research
THEA 6108 Trends and Strategies In Theatre Education
Select one of the following courses (3 hours):
THEA 6107 Graduate History & Literature of the Theatre
THEA 6178 Theatre History Contemporary Topics
Area 2 Education Core Required Hours: 9
Select 9 credit hours from the following:
EDUF 6115 Education Psychology: Achievement for Diverse Learners
EDUF 6116 Educational Research Methods
EDCI 6159 Integrating Multicultural/Global Studies Throughout the Curriculum
EDSE 6115 Trends in Adolescent Literature
EDMG 6155 Psychology of the Early Adolescent Learner
EDUT 6206 Introduction to Instructional Technology
Students may apply one advisor approved graduate education course in this area.
Area 3 Electives required hours: 9-13
Select 9 credit hours from the following courses (if choosing thesis option in Area
4) or select 13 credit hours from the following courses (if choosing non-thesis option
in Area 4).
THEA 6267 Topics in Design
THEA 5108G Puppetry
THEA 5245G Advanced Acting
THEA 6107 Graduate History & Literature of the Theatre
THEA 6178 Theatre History Contemporary Topics
THEA 5179G Musical Theatre History
THEA 6105 Advanced Children’s Theatre
THEA 5205G Advanced Creative Dramatics
THEA 5305G Summer Theatre Production
THEA 5306G Summer Theatre Performance
THEA 5575G Selected Topics in Theatre Arts
THEA 6895 Graduate Independent Study
Area 4 Thesis or Non-Thesis Required Hours: 0-4
Thesis option:
THEA 6999 Thesis (taken 2 times at 2 credits each)
Non-thesis option:
THEA 6000 Exit Exam
Total hours: 32
