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Teaching Performing Arts Theatre, MST
The Master of Science for Teaching Performing Arts Theatre combines innovative teaching strategies with practical experience, offering fieldwork, student teaching, and mentorship from leading educators. Our theatre education master’s degree connects you to the heart of the performing arts world while preparing you for teaching certification.
Location
Online
Duration
34 Credits
24 Months, full-time and part-time
Modality
Online
Start Dates
Fall, Spring, Summer
F1 Visa
No
STEM Designated Program
No
Inspire Students to Find Their Voice with a Master's in Theatre Education
Turn your passion for music, theatre, and dance into a rewarding career with Pace University’s MST in Performing Arts. This 34-credit master’s in theatre education program prepares you to earn your Pre-K–12 teaching certification, while equipping you with the skills to inspire creativity and self-expression in students from all backgrounds.
Ideal for working professionals, the program offers online flexibility combined with hands-on fieldwork and mentorship from experienced educators. Located in New York City, the heart of the performing arts world, this program gives you a unique connection to the home of Broadway, offering inspiration and insight into creative teaching strategies. You'll study inclusive teaching practices, integrate arts into diverse classroom settings, and gain practical experience through fieldwork and student teaching opportunities. The program also offers global learning experiences, such as the faculty-led courses in Zanzibar, Tanzania, where you’ll explore theatre as a tool for social change.
Our strong partnerships with local schools boast a high placement rate for our students—many of whom secure teaching positions before graduation. With a curriculum designed to meet New York State Education Department requirements, Pace ensures you’re prepared to teach performing arts while fostering the creativity and confidence that students need to thrive. Graduates leave ready to make an impact as transformative educators in the arts.
98%
of our graduates are employed (Source: Pace University Career Services)
$92,696
Average salary for teachers in New York State (Source: nea.org)
#3
special education job placement (Source: Intelligent.com)
Curriculum
Study ways PreK-12 children can create, perform and respond to the performing arts with their social and cultural communities and school curricula. Inclusive classroom practices are learned so that all children, regardless of their abilities, will obtain personal satisfaction and appreciation for the performing arts through self-expression and learning.
Take Courses Like…
- EDG 606 Learning Environments
- EDG 621P Seminar in Inclusive Arts Education, PreK-12
- EDG 629P Student Teaching in Inclusive Arts Classrooms, PreK-12
Additional Program Highlights
- Our coursework integrates key knowledge and outlooks necessary to teach in today’s modern classrooms, using technology to address the specific needs of all learners, including students with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse students.
- Take experiential learning to a new level in Zanzibar, Tanzania! With faculty-led course Devising Theatre for Social Change, you will learn to use theatre-based techniques as tools for social change in international communities.
- We are a proud member of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), an accreditation organization that holds our programs to the highest standard of teacher preparation and effectiveness.
Careers
Our strong partnerships with local school districts mean that our students are getting hired before they even graduate. As a Pace student, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with our robust career services team to develop a career plan that best fits your goals.
Where Pace Graduates are Employed
- NYC Department of Education
- Westchester School Districts
- Long Island School Districts
Featured Faculty
Professor
Associate Professor
Director
Associate Professor
Admission and Financial Aid
You're ready for a new level of success—whether it's advancing in your current field or launching a new career. Pace is with you every step of the way, providing a world-class education and the skills your industry will be looking for far into the future.
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- A personal statement explaining to the Graduate Admission Committee why you would like to pursue the program of graduate study you have chosen. Additional information regarding your academic performance, as well as professional experience, may also be included in the supplement.
- A resume or outline describing at least the past five years of your employment history and any significant community, professional, or college extracurricular activities.
- Applicants need 2 letters of recommendation. Letters should be from academic or professional references that can knowledgeably comment on your ability to successfully complete graduate study. Include recognitions and achievements (e.g. licenses, publications, and awards).
- All Official Transcripts: Transcripts from every accredited college or university attended (not just the degree granting institution) must be sent either to Pace University, directly from the academic institution electronically or by mail, or forwarded by the applicant in sealed envelopes from the academic institution.
- Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree with a major/concentration or the equivalent in the theater arts. Candidates who have 12 credits or fewer of “deficiencies” in theater arts are eligible for admission. Deficiencies will be required to be addressed prior to student teaching.
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Per credit: $1,095 | Total cost of program: $37,230
*Tuition based on current year and subject to change. -
Fall Term
- Domestic Students: August 1
- International Students: June 1
Spring Term
- Domestic Students: December 1
- International Students: October 1
Summer Term
- Domestic Students: May 1
- International Students: March 1
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Make an appointment to meet with you admission counselor.
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Every admitted student is automatically considered for all available financial aid options, assessed based on both availability and individual need. Financial resources include:
- Merit-based Scholarships: Awards of up to $4,800, automatically considered during the application process.
- Graduate Assistantships: Opportunities for hands-on experience while earning financial support.
- Endowed Scholarships: Awards funded by generous donors to support student success.
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan: A federal loan program with favorable terms.
- Graduate/Professional Direct PLUS Loan: For students who need additional funding.
- Work-Study Programs: Part-time work opportunities to help fund your education.
- Military Benefits: Includes the GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Pace’s Veteran Tuition Scholarship.
For more information about affordability and the full range of financial aid options, visit Pace University Financial Aid.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Contact Us
Admission Contact
Office of Graduate Admission
Phone: (800) 874-7223
Email: graduateadmission@pace.edu
Departmental Contact
Peter McDermott, PhD
Email: pmcdermott@pace.edu