Program Overview

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Theatre (Theatre for Youth and Community), PhD

Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy program in theatre with a concentration in theatre for youth and community is designed for students who have a passion for research in youth theatre, theatre in communities, drama-based pedagogy, or young people and the performing arts. This program allows students to develop a personalized course of study by participating in comprehensive coursework, developing advanced research skills, and connecting their research interests to contemporary trends and conversations in the field.

At a Glance

• College/school: Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree Requirements

The program requires 90 credit hours, including:

• A written comprehensive exam
• An oral comprehensive exam
• A prospectus
• A dissertation

Required Core (30 credit hours)

• Research (12 credit hours): THE 792 Research (12)
• Research Methodology (6 credit hours)
• Electives (30 credit hours)
• Culminating Experience (12 credit hours): THE 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information

When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree. In meeting these requirements, students, with the advice of the supervisory committee, may select theatre courses in areas such as:

• Community-based theatre
• Theatre education
• Theatre for social change
• Theatre history
• Theatre theory and criticism
• Tutorial courses

Students also may take courses outside the School of Music, Dance and Theatre in areas such as:

• Aesthetic theory
• Area studies
• Children's literature
• Critical and cultural studies
• Educational theory and methodology
• Languages and literatures
• Arts education
• Policy research
• Democracy studies

Research methodology coursework is chosen in consultation with the supervisory committee. Where appropriate, the supervisory committee may approve certification of literacy in a foreign language as meeting the research methodology requirement. This approval is granted only in those circumstances wherein fluency in that language is necessary for the dissertation research.

Additional Curricular Requirements

• Ongoing reviews of a student's performance in courses and development of research skills, artistic skills, and teaching competencies conducted by the supervisory committee at the end of each semester
• Comprehensive examinations consisting of written and oral components that center on theatre history, literature and criticism, theatre for youth and theatre education, and the research area
• Dissertation developed from an approved prospectus, based on original research work of high quality, demonstrating proficiency in the student's special field and adding new knowledge

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
• Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in theatre or education from a regionally accredited institution.
• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

1. Graduate admission application and application fee
2. Official transcripts
3. Curriculum vitae
4. School of Music, Dance and Theatre Application, including a sample of scholarly writing and a statement of purpose
5. Three letters of recommendation
6. Proof of English proficiency

An interview is optional.

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: Session A/C, In Person, Deadline: 01/15, Type: Final

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

• Students will be able to create works of scholarship with the potential to build new knowledge in their chosen theatre for youth and community subfields.
• Students will be able to make an original contribution to field scholarship and research by implementing a long-form research and writing process.
• Students will be able to effectively present research as is pertinent to their chosen subfields and subject areas.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared to be engaged and innovative leaders in a variety of careers in diverse settings and industries, including:

• Arts entrepreneurship
• Community arts
• Elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education systems
• Professional theater
• Youth theater

Examples of careers include:

• Activist
• Director
• Facilitator
• Organizer
• Practitioner
• Specialist
• Teacher

Program Details

The program is designed to educate future leaders and researchers in the field, providing individualized attention and focused mentorship in a challenging and supportive atmosphere. Students develop advanced research skills and connect their research interests to contemporary trends and conversations in the field. The program allows students to pursue their own personal or professional interests and earn two distinct degrees. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. The program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.