Theatre: Secondary Theatre Education, B.A. - COLA, UNH

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 licensure, 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 licensure, you’ll be well-positioned to pursue a career in teaching or youth theatre.

Contact Raina Ames, Paul Creative Arts Center, (603) 862-3044.

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.

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.

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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). 

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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.

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.

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Must be taken before the teaching internship.

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Must be taken before the teaching internship.  May be taken at the undergraduate level or the graduate level.

Program Learning Outcomes

• 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).

• 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.

Theatre Major: Secondary Theatre Education Option (B.A.)

Location/Delivery: College of Liberal Arts, Durham Campus [In-Person Program]

This program is designed to prepare graduates for professional licensure/certification as follows:

Teacher Licensure

Theatre K-12

The University of New Hampshire has determined this program meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in:¹
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Additional information and related resources are available on the Office of the Registrar's website.

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State specific post-education requirements are subject to change. Students are responsible for confirming these requirements in their state of residence and intended practice.