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**Review** Graduate Catalog 2025-2026

Theatre Education M.A. — Theatre Educator Intensive

Program Overview

College of Performing and Visual Arts 

Interim Director: Michelle Gaza, M.F.A

Location: Frasier Hall 105

Theatre Arts: 970-351-2991

Dance: 970-351-2991

Website: arts.unco.edu/theatre/

Graduate Coordinator: Mary Schuttler, Ph.D.

This focused program consists of four 3 credit on-line courses, two three-week summer intensives for 18 credits (9 each year), and two 3-credit on-line courses of thesis advisement, for a total of 36 credits spread out over two-and-a-half academic years.

The Coordinator of the M.A. in Theatre Education: Theatre Educator Intensive program will assign each student an academic advisor and a graduate committee. The academic advisor will serve as the chair of the graduate committee.

It is recommended that students have a graduate committee review each semester. The student will discuss the graduate review with the academic advisor and the Coordinator of the M.A. in Theatre Education: Theatre Educator Intensive program. The student will assume responsibility for scheduling graduate reviews. Two unsuccessful graduate reviews will be considered grounds for termination of the program.

A written research thesis, action research project, or written comprehensive exams are required of all Master of Arts degree candidates in the School of Theatre Arts and Dance. 

Upon completion of the program, the student will be required to demonstrate competence in the designated area of concentration in accordance with approved school standards. The student’s committee must approve the candidate for graduation.

For program details, see:

https://extended.unco.edu/programs/theatre-education-teaching-masters/

Admission

Location: Online + Summer Greeley Intensives

Start Term: Summer

General Master's Degree Admission Requirements

Theatre Education M.A. - Theatre Educator Intensive

Admission Deadline

This program begins each summer term (late June). Applicants must meet the University of Northern Colorado’s graduate admission requirements and complete their application (including all supplemental items) by April 1. All fully completed applications received by the deadline will be considered for selection into program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must apply to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.

Each applicant must:

  • Possess a baccalaureate degree from an Institutionally Accredited college or university or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.
  • Have a GPA of 3.00 or better (on a 4.00 scale) for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
    • If you are still completing your bachelor's degree at the time you apply, admission will be based on your current cumulative GPA, and you will need to re-submit your official transcript (showing your conferred degree and final GPA) during your first semester. If your final GPA fell below 3.00, you will be given additional requirements as defined by the academic program that must be met within one calendar year to remain enrolled at UNC.
    • If you have completed a master's degree, or at least 18 credit hours towards a master's degree, the GPA of your master's work will be used.

Take the following steps to be considered for admission:

Step 1: Complete the Application

Complete the online application.

  • Answer the application questions.
  • Send your requests for letters of recommendation.
    • Request three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic potential and abilities. You will be asked to supply information for your recommenders in the application.
  • Submit the application and pay the non-refundable application fee. 
    • Domestic Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
    • International Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
    • The Graduate School is waiving application fees for all current UNC students and alumni!(The waiver applies only to the UNC Graduate School application.) Click for details.

Once you submit your application you will be assigned aAdmissions Portal, allowing you to upload supplemental items, as listed below, and track your application through the admissions process.

Step 2: Request Transcripts

Request one official transcript from any Institutionally Accredited college or university where a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress (if you have earned multiple degrees, bachelor’s level or higher, an official transcript is required from each college or university where a degree was conferred). If you received a degree from UNC, you do not need to request a transcript from UNC. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request that applicants provide official transcripts from other colleges or universities as needed. Applicants who have earned or are directly pursuing a higher degree from a regionally accredited institution without receiving a bachelor’s degree (e.g., PharmD) may be eligible to apply to the Graduate School without the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. 

Exceptions: If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.

Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.

Mailed transcripts should be sent to:

University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639

Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.admissions@unco.edu.

The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.

UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.

Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.

Step 3: Note About the GRE

This program does not require GRE scores.

Step 4: Supplemental Items

Log back into the Admissions Portal to submit the following:

  • Submit an essay stating your goals for the program and discuss why graduate school is an appropriate choice in your career at this time.
  • Resume or Vita

Additional Information

  • A teaching certificate/license is recommended but not required.
  • A minimum of nine and a maximum of twelve students will be admitted each year. The goal is that each class will reflect a mix of diverse backgrounds, experience and interests.
  • Selection for the program will be made by the end of April.
  • The online content of this program is presented in the fall and spring semesters. Students will then be required to attend on campus for three weeks in July in the summer after their first spring term.

Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission recommendation. The timing of the admission decision depends on each individual program’s deadline and review process.

International Applicants

International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.

For More Information 

For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses — 36 credits

THED 500Academic Writing in Theatre Education

3

THED 530Theatrical Production I

3

THED 531Theatrical Production II

3

THED 540Directing/Acting: Realism and Non-Realism/Period Styles

3

THED 541Directing/Acting: Musical Theatre

3

THED 560Innovative Strategies in Drama Education

3

THED 561Voice and Movement

3

THED 600Dramaturgy/Research Methodology

3

THED 670Advocacy, History, and Philosophy of Theatre Education

3

THED 680Theatre Education Curriculum Development

3

THED 690Thesis I

3

or

THED 696Action Research I

3

THED 699Thesis II

3

or

THED 697Action Research II

3

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