Theatre Education MA
- Master's Degree
- Hybrid
- Greeley Campus
- Online
- Theatre Educator Intensive
2 1/2 Years
Summer Term (June)
$668/Credit
Mostly Online Theatre Education Master’s Degree
Our Theatre Education Master of Arts degree is an innovative program brought to you by UNC’s nationally known theatre arts faculty.
What Does Mostly Online Mean?
This hybrid program is delivered online most of the year. You’ll take online classes in the fall and spring, then join us for a summer session on campus. In these sessions you’ll attend class, work on theatre productions and see plays. Join us for Little Theatre of the Rockies, our nationally known summer stock company.
This Theatre Educator Intensive (TEI) model lets you work on your degree from anywhere, while still getting the benefits of in-person experiences. Meet other educators, share ideas and immerse yourself in a theatre community once a year. See details in the Course of Study section.
What You’ll Learn
- Theatrical production
- Advanced drama instruction including directing, acting, music, voice and movement
- Innovation and curriculum
- Advocacy, history and philosophy of theatre education
- Academic writing and research
You will be encouraged to apply what you learn directly to your own classroom.
Career Advancement: Center Stage
Enhance Your Teaching Skills
You’ll become an elite theatre teacher and leader. More importantly, you’ll help your students become better performers and technicians.
- Inspire and support young performers.
- Improve the quality of your theatre and musical productions.
- Build and expand the theatre community in your area.
Pursue a Variety of Jobs
- Advanced secondary teaching positions
- Education Director at professional theatres
- Private acting coach
- Arts advocate
- Instructional Curriculum Specialist
Course of Study
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 intensive sessions. You will attend classes and work on theatre productions.
- Fall and spring terms: one online course per term
To see specific course offerings, visit the current students page for this program.
Courses and Requirements
This is a 36-credit master’s degree program.
Transfer Credit
If you have taken graduate courses that align with program courses, you can request transfer credit. Approved transfer credit can reduce the cost of completing this program. Program faculty will review your transfer credit to confirm that it matches course content and objectives. See the full graduate transfer credit policy for details.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Jori Moore
Enrollment Counselor
Gillian McNally, MFA
Program Coordinator
Mary Schuttler, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UNC provides a health insurance plan to all degree-seeking graduate students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits for a term. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you can opt out of this plan. Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Federal Financial Aid
Degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Master’s degree students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full-time enrollment is based on 9 credits per term.
You will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC Applying for Aid page provides important dates, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).
- Late FAFSA submissions are still accepted throughout the academic year, but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
- If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses.
- Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.
You can also find helpful information in the Federal Student Aid Resources.
Please note: because you will only take one 3-credit course during the first summer and for all fall and spring semesters, you will only be eligible for federal financial aid in the second and third summers of the program. If you will need financial aid for fall and spring terms, please work with UNC Financial Aid for information about non-federal loans and the UNC BearPay option.
Alumni Spotlight
Outstanding Theatre Educator
Congratulations to Will Goldyn for being chosen as the 2025 Outstanding Theatre Educator by the California Educational Theatre Association.
Will Goldyn
Theatre Education MA
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- A teaching certificate/license is recommended but not required.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
International Student Eligibility
No student visa: F-1 and J-1 student visas are not available for this program. However, if you are a non-U.S. citizen who will be in the U.S. under another visa category, you may be able to enroll in this program. Before you apply, please check for enrollment or employment restrictions for your visa category.
If you do apply to this program, you will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Meet the Program Faculty
Visit the Academic Department
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Application Deadline
This program begins each summer term (late June). You must complete your application (including all supplemental items) by March 1. All fully completed applications received by the deadline will be considered for selection into program.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Theatre Education: Theatre Educator Intensive (M.A.)
- Start term: Summer Term (June)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Register & Start Your Application
Submit a Started Application
Application Checklist & Status