A Mostly Online Theatre Education Master's Degree

The Theatre Education Master of Arts – Theatre Educator Intensive program is an academically rigorous program examining the philosophical, theoretical and practical implications in the field of theatre education. In this program, students will reflect on the bigger challenges that constantly face theatre educators in the classroom—and more broadly in the country.

This master's program features online delivery in the Fall and Spring academic terms, plus Summer intensive sessions, to fit into the schedules of current and aspiring theatre educators. The Summer intensives will involve viewing and working on theatre productions and attending classes.

Career Options for Graduates

Because of our mostly online delivery model, we have been able to help educators nationwide take their instructional skills to new heights. UNC-trained theatre educators are developing gifted performers, skillful technicians and dazzling productions at universities, colleges and high schools throughout the United States.

Faculty Spotlights

Schuttler to Present at EdTA Conference

Program Coordinator Mary Schuttler presented findings from her “New Theatre Educator Survey” at the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) Teacher Educator Conference in Minneapolis in September 2024. Schuttler was also a recent EdTA Board Member, was previously EdTA vice president, president, and past president, has been awarded the EdTA Founders' Award, and is a member of the EdTA Hall of Fame.

Photo of Mary Schuttler, Board Director for EdTA

McNally on THED Talks

Professor Gillian McNally appeared on an episode of the THED Talks podcast to discuss theatre for the very young, wellness and burnout, and DEI in theatre education.

Listen to her THED Talks episode

Photo of Gillian McNally for her interview session on the THED Talks podcast

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Delivered Online + Summer Greeley Intensives

This focused program can be completed in two and a half years, and consists of...

  • Summer terms
    • 1st Summer: one online course starting in late June
    • 2nd and 3rd Summers: 3-week in-person Summer intensives
  • Fall and Spring terms: one online course per term

Coursework (36 Credit Hours)

For an example of upcoming courses, visit the Current Students page for this program.

For full program requirement details, see the official program listing in the UNC Graduate Catalog.

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What Our Students Say...

"I use what I learned in UNC’s TEI program almost every day. The knowledge I gained has given me many tools and ideas to use in my classroom."

– Jim Kaiser, Theatre Arts Teacher