EDTC Curriculum

The EDTC-MA requires 36 credits of graduate coursework. 

The curriculum for this program is divided into three primary categories of courses: 

• Arts-Based Inquiry (9 credits)

• Reflective Studio Practice (12 credits)

• Justice Centered Practice (12 credits)

• Thesis Project (3 credits)

For Arts-Based Inquiry, students take the following courses:

1. MPAET-GE.2115 The Ethnoactor & Verbatim Performance 

2.  MPAET-GE 2114 Creating Ethnodrama & Documentary Theatre: Theory & Practice 

3.  MPAET-GE 2077 Methods and Materials of Research in Educational Theatre  

For Reflective Studio Practice, students take the following courses:

I. Students are required to identify a directing or playwriting focus - 6 credits

1. MPAET-GE.2109 Studies in Directing

2. MPAET-GE.2098 Advanced Directing

<or>

1. MPAET-GE.2105 Beginning Playwriting

2. MPAET-GE.2106 Advanced Playwriting  

II. Students are required to choose one course based on their interests and training needs (3 credits):

MPAET-GE.2110 Devised Theatre

<or>

MPAET-GE.2965 Introduction to Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed  

III. Elective - 3 credits 

The elective course is chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty mentor. The elective should fill a gap in the student’s knowledge and/or contribute to the student’s work on their capstone project. The elective course could also be a study abroad experience.         

For Justice Centered Practice, students take the following courses:

1. MPAET-GE 2101 Applied Theatre I 

2. MPAET-GE 2978 Applied Theatre Praxis

And Two electives (6 credits) - These elective courses are chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty mentor. The electives should fill a gap in the student’s knowledge, contribute to the student’s work on their capstone project, and/or connect to future vocational work. Elective courses could also be an internship.      

Thesis Project

MPAET-GE 2400 Seminar in Applied Theatre Research 

Guidelines

A full time student will complete 9 credits of coursework each semester (effective for students entering the program in Fall 2025; anyone who started prior to this must complete 12 credits of coursework for full time status) which may or may not include the summer session. Our summer session offers a few courses that are only offered at that time; as such, many students elect to avail themselves of these unique opportunities for concentrated study.  

A part time student will complete 4.5-8 credits of coursework each semester which may or may not include the summer session—though most part time students complete 6 credits per semester. 

Sample programs of study for full and part time study are available.

Note, all international students who have not completed a previous degree at NYU are recommended to take SAHS-GE 2003 New Graduate Student Seminar for International Students, a 0 credit extended orientation experience during their first semester of study at NYU Steinhardt. Students should direct any questions about the New Graduate Student Seminar to Nick Voelker.

Prerequisites

The EDTC-MA program requires you to have completed the equivalent of two semesters of acting or directing and two semesters of theatre history or dramatic criticism prior to admission. If you have not taken these prerequisite courses or their equivalent at the undergraduate level prior to admission, you must register for them before finishing your studies, which may increase the total number of credits required to complete the degree (up to 42 credits).