Introduction
Drama therapy in educational settings has become increasingly popular thanks to the substantial benefits presented when students truly reveal themselves and uncover deep psychological motives. Drama therapy helps this relationship develop at an accelerated pace through the teacher and students’ creation of movements, pretend images, stories, and scenes. Enter a shared imaginal realm with your students and experience pretend consequences of choices they make within the fictional contexts you create. Regardless of age, the dynamic interpersonal relationships that are built allow students to fully express themselves, leading to a more enlightening and successful academic career.
This degree is offered by AU Seattle.
Program Overview
Drama therapy is one of several expressive therapies used by clinicians and practitioners to help their clients achieve emotional and physical integration, personal growth and symptom relief.
The goal of the program is to provide students with the option of including a concentration in Drama Therapy in their MAEd program. Our current MAEd program offers a great deal of flexibility, therefore the Drama Therapy concentration can easily be integrated into the required coursework.
Degree Requirements
Program Length
This program with require a total of 50 credits and can be completed in seven semesters.
Course Sequence
Fall I Quarter:
- Curriculum Studies
- Intro to Drama Therapy
Winter I Quarter:
- Diversity & Equity
- Psychodrama
Spring I Quarter:
- Leadership & Reform
- Improvisation
- Ethics in Drama Therapy
Summer I Quarter:
- Inquiry & Research
Fall II Quarter:
- Inquiry Proposal with Drama Therapy Internship
- Community-Based Theater
Winter II Quarter:
- Inquiry Development with Drama Therapy Internship
- Creative Arts Therapies
Spring II Quarter:
- Inquiry Report with Drama Therapy Internship
- Special Populations
For detailed curriculum, degree requirements, and course descriptions, please visit the AUS catalog.
Career Outlook
Drama therapists work in private practice and/or in clinical, educational and rehabilitative settings such as:
- hospitals and clinics
- residential treatment centers
- long-term care facilities
- community centers
- prisons
- shelters
- schools
- mental health and social service agencies