Theatre Major: Secondary Theatre Education Option (B.A.)
https://cola.unh.edu/theatre-dance/program/ba/theatre-major-secondary-theatre-education-option
The Theatre Major: Secondary Theatre Education Option at UNH prepares students to teach and direct theatre for K-12 students. The curriculum includes theatre history, directing, design, theatre technology, and teaching methods, with practical teaching experience. Graduates can pursue careers as teaching artists, obtain NH K-12 Theatre Arts teacher licensure as an undergraduate or continue to a fifth-year master's program. With over 25 annual performances and opportunities for independent study, the program offers real-world experience, departmental financial assistance, and strong preparation for careers in teaching or youth theatre.
One of only a few programs of its kind in the country, UNH’s Secondary Theatre Education Option will prepare you to teach theatre and direct productions with students in kindergarten through 12th grade. You’ll study the history of theatre, directing, the elements of design and theatre technology, and methods of teaching in theatre. You’ll gain hands-on practical teaching experience with K-12 students. As you complete your studies, you will have the option to enter theatre education directly as a teaching artist at professional theatres, get NH Theatre Arts K-12 teacher undergraduate certification, or pursue a fifth-year Master’s in Teaching program through the UNH Education Department.
In addition to our award-winning faculty, the UNH Department of Theatre and Dance offers more than 25 performance opportunities every year in musicals, plays or dance concerts, including student productions. You’ll be able to pursue independent studies and be eligible to apply for R.E.A.C.H., financial assistance provided to students who participate in internships with professional theatres or dance organizations. Our theatre education courses provide multiple practical teaching experiences so that you know before the end of your senior year whether teaching K-12 suits your career goals. With the addition of undergraduate or graduate teacher certification, you’ll be well-positioned to pursue a career in teaching or youth theatre.
Contact Raina Ames, Paul Creative Arts Center, (603) 862-3044.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
In the freshman and sophomore years, students should enroll for at least two major and two Discovery courses per semester.
The minimum grade requirement for major courses is C- per course. Any grade lower than C- will not count toward the major.
The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.
Under department policy, students who complete both COMM 401 American Sign Language I and COMM 502 American Sign Language II satisfy the bachelor of arts language proficiency requirement.
All majors must take courses in the following areas: performance, design/theatre technology and theory/history as well as fulfill between four and eight practicums and complete a capstone course. Although timing will vary with each option, it is strongly suggested that all introductory courses be taken prior to the end of the student's sophomore year. Students must also complete a digital portfolio that demonstrates fulfillment of student learning outcomes related to their area of study.
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.
Theatre department majors may use one major-required course to satisfy one Discovery category requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| THDA 436 | History of Theatre I | 4 |
| THDA 438 | History of Theatre II | 4 |
| THDA 459 | Stagecraft | 4 |
| THDA 460 | Elements of Design | 4 |
| THDA 463 | Theatre Dance I | 4 |
| THDA 475 | Stage Makeup | 2 |
| THDA 551 | Acting I | 4 |
| THDA 589 | Practicum (A - C) 1 | 3-8 |
| THDA 624 | Theatre for Young Audiences | 4 |
| THDA 721 | Arts Integration | 4 |
| THDA 727 | Methods of Teaching Theatre 2 | 4 |
| THDA 729 | Community Oriented Drama Programs | 4 |
| THDA 741 | Directing | 4 |
| THDA 760 | Teacher Planning for Theatre | 4 |
| THDA 799 | Capstone Project ( must be taken in senior year) | 2 |
| Design/Theatre Technology | ||
| Select 4 credits of the following: | 4 | |
| Costume Construction | ||
| Costume Design for the Theatre | ||
| Stage Lighting Design and Execution | ||
| Education | ||
| EDUC 500 | Exploring Teaching 2 | 4 |
| Total Credits | 63-68 | |
- 1
Students are required to take at least one practicum for every semester they are a major in the Department of Theatre and Dance. In addition, each student must take each type of practicum at least once (Technical, Costume, Performance, Marketing and Promotion).
- 2
May be taken at the undergraduate level or the graduate level.
NOTE: It is understood that students will fulfill 20 internship contact hours with theatre students in their option area: elementary, middle, or high school. Projects for THDA 729 Community Oriented Drama Programs cannot count as internship hours. Students may fulfill this requirement through a variety of teaching opportunities with the department's outreach program (both during the school year and in the summer), or they may work with local schools teaching, coaching actors, assistant directing, choreographing, or in some other capacity as specifically arranged with their theatre adviser.
It also is understood that students involved in the above course curriculum in order to get state theatre arts certification must apply to either the UNH Department of Education or another university for acceptance into a fifth-year master of arts in teaching (M.A.T.) or master of education (M.Ed.) degree program that fulfills state requirements for certification.
State K-12 Teacher Certification
In order to obtain state theatre arts certification, students must either know from their first year that they are pursuing undergraduate Theatre Arts teacher certification or they must apply to the UNH Department of Education or another university for acceptance into a fifth-year master of arts in teaching (M.A.T.) or masters of education (M.Ed.) degree program, which fulfills state requirements for certification. Students who are accepted into early graduate admission may take up to 12 credits toward the 32 credit masters while finishing their undergraduate degree. For further clarification regarding both undergraduate and graduate certification options, contact Raina Ames, Paul Creative Arts Center, (603) 862-3044, raina.ames@unh.edu.
4-Year Teacher Licensure B.A. Program
The 4-year teacher licensure B.A. program includes the same requirements as the B.A. secondary theatre education option but with the following modifications.
- The THDA 798/799 requirement is replaced with EDUC 694 Courses in Supervised Teaching
- The following requirements are added.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 605 | Educational Perspectives in Critical Times | 4 |
| EDUC 694 | Courses in Supervised Teaching | 8 |
| EDUC 701 | Human Development & Learning: Cultural Perspectives | 4 |
| EDUC 751A | Inclusive Elementary Education: Literacies and Learning for Diverse Learners | 4 |
| or EDUC 751B | Methods of Inclusive Secondary Education: Literacies, Learning, and Transitions | |
| THDA 791 | Internship in Theatre and Dance | 2 |
5-Year Teacher Licensure M.A.T. or M.Ed. Program
The 5-year teacher licensure M.A.T. or M.Ed. Program includes the same requirements as the B.A. secondary theatre education option but with the following modifications:
- The following requirements are added.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 605 | Educational Perspectives in Critical Times 1 | 4 |
| EDUC 701/801 | Human Development & Learning: Cultural Perspectives 2 | 4 |
| EDUC 751A | Inclusive Elementary Education: Literacies and Learning for Diverse Learners 2 | 4 |
| or EDUC 851A | Inclusive Elementary Education: Literacies and Learning for Diverse Learners | |
| or EDUC 751B | Methods of Inclusive Secondary Education: Literacies, Learning, and Transitions | |
| or EDUC 851B | Methods of Inclusive Secondary Education: Literacies, Learning, and Transitions | |
| EDUC 900A | Internship and Seminar in Teaching | 6 |
| EDUC 901A | Internship and Seminar in Teaching | 6 |
| 8 credits from THDA 700-level or EDUC 700/800-level elective courses. 2 | 8 | |
- 1
Must be taken before the teaching internship.
- 2
Must be taken before the teaching internship. May be taken at the undergraduate level or the graduate level.
Sample Degree Plan
This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA 401 | New Student Seminar | 1 |
| THDA 589 | Practicum | 1 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA 589 | Practicum | 1 |
| Major Elective/Minor Course | 0-4 | |
| Credits | 17-21 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Language Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA 589 | Practicum | 1 |
| Major Elective/Minor Course | 0-4 | |
| Credits | 17-21 | |
| Spring | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Language Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 2 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA 589 | Practicum | 1 |
| EDUC 500 | Exploring Teaching | 4 |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA 522 | Storytelling, Story Theatre, and Involvement Dramatics | 4 |
| THDA 589 | Practicum | 1 |
| Major Elective/Minor Course | 0-4 | |
| Credits | 17-21 | |
| Spring | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA 589 | Practicum | 1 |
| Major Elective/Minor Course | 0-4 | |
| Credits | 17-21 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA Course | 4 | |
| THDA 589 | Practicum | 1 |
| Major Elective/Minor Course | 4-8 | |
| Credits | 17-21 | |
| Spring | ||
| Major Elective/Minor Course | 12-16 | |
| THDA 799 | Capstone Project | 2 |
| THDA 589 | Practicum | 1 |
| Credits | 15-19 | |
| Total Credits | 137-161 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
On completion of the B.A. in Theatre, students will:
- Recognize and distinguish between various styles and forms of theatre or dance that have shaped the evolution of these disciplines.
- Effectively communicate artistic ideas and/or critical analysis of theatre or dance works through appropriate oral, written or practical means.
- Demonstrate knowledge and fundamental skill level of the basic areas of theatre or dance production in areas related to performance, design, technology or management.
- Create and demonstrate informed and personal artistic choices in coursework and productions (i.e., design, dance, directing, acting).
On completion of the option in Secondary Theatre Education, students will:
- Develop and compile effective lesson plans and teaching materials appropriate to student developmental levels and individual learning styles.
- Define a personal teaching philosophy.
- Demonstrate effective teaching strategies.
- Evaluate teaching abilities through analysis and reflection.
- Develop directing and production skills.
- Match to teaching materials the appropriate national educational standards for arts and non-arts subjects.
Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures
The University of New Hampshire offers a number of academic programs designed to lead to professional licensure or certification in New Hampshire. However, completing a UNH degree/program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like years of work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria.
UNH does not guarantee that its professional licensure programs will satisfy the criteria of professional licensure boards in other states. Some states maintain different requirements for professional licensure or certification and requirements can change frequently. Federal regulations require the University to make public disclosure of certain information regarding professional licensure or certification programs, regardless of the modality the program is offered (i.e., in-person or online). The University provides guidance below but recommends students contact their state/territory licensing or certification board to ensure a program meets specific state/territory requirements.
Visit the Office of the Registrar's website for information about whether this program meets professional licensure requirements in your state.