Ashland Center for Theatre Studies
Theatre Teacher Training
Frequently Asked Questions
- Questions about Master Degree eligibility
- Questions about the Master Degree application process
- Questions about fees and financial aid
- Questions about the program
Eligibility
Question:
I am not currently teaching theatre. May I still participate in your Master of Theatre Studies program?
Answer:
Because
the Master Degree requires significant work at your school during the
school year, to participate in the program you must be currently
teaching theatre in a program that actively produces plays. If there is
room in our 3-credit a la carte courses, you may be accepted to an individual course.
Question:
Is there any way for a teacher with only one year of experience to participate in your Master of Theatre Studies program?
Answer:
Unfortunately,
we do not accept applicants into the Master of Theatre Studies program
who have less than two years of experience. If there is room in our
3-credit a la carte courses,
you may be accepted to an individual course. Credits from these courses
may transfer to our Master of Theatre Studies Degree when you are
accepted.
Question:
Are middle school theatre teachers eligible for the Master of Theatre Studies program?
Answer:
The
Master of Theatre Studies requires significant production work at your
school during the school year. Most middle schools do not have a
theatre program or production facilities necessary to support
participation in this program. Generally we consider only high school
or community college teachers. If you believe that your middle school
program might be an exception to our criteria, please contact ACTS with
specific details. If there is room in our 3-credit a la carte courses, you may be accepted to an individual course.
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The Master Degree application process
Question:
Should my letters of recommendation be sent
along with my other application materials? If so, do they need to be in
sealed envelopes? Or should they be sent by the writer?
Answer:
You
may send your letters of recommendation with the rest of your
application, and they need not be in separate sealed envelopes. If you
choose to send them separately, please note on your application that
they are coming.
Question:
What should my letters of recommendation contain?
Answer:
Your
letters of recommendation should contain an assessment of your
teaching, artistic and/or craft-related abilities. They should address
your potential for completing the program as well as for making
significant continuing contributions as a teacher.
Question:
What should be included in my resume?
Answer:
The
resume should include all your teaching experience and any professional
or volunteer experience related to theatre and the performing arts. You
should also include a section on what productions (plays, dramatic
readings, etc.) you have done with your students and include the scope
of your theatre program (number of classes, participation in theatre
societies, extra curricular clubs related to theatre, etc.). Under the
section on education, please include any noncredit education related to
theatre and the performing arts.
Question:
What information should my Statement of Educational Philosophy contain?
Answer:
The
Statement of Educational Philosophy should be a short paper (two pages
maximum) discussing your educational philosophy, professional standards
and personal objectives, why you became a teacher in general and a
theatre teacher in particular, what you see as the function of theatre
within an educational setting, a description of your methodology, and
your pedagogical goals as a theatre teacher.
Question:
Do I need to take the GRE?
Answer:
No, we do not require GRE scores for you to be admitted to our Master of Theatre Studies program.
Question:
Why do I have to submit two applications?
Answer:
First
you must be accepted into the Master of Theatre Studies program. Once
your provisional acceptance into the MoTS has been assured, the SOU graduate application
is required. This "double application" process saves you
from additional paperwork and paying for official
transcripts in the event you are not eligible for our program.
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Fees and financial aid
Question:
What are the criteria to qualify for financial aid?
Answer:
In
order to receive financial aid, you must fill out the FAFSA for the
current year for summer (summer 2008 is the final term of the 07-08
year). This will determine if you are eligible for financial aid and if
so, how much. You also must have completed the graduate application
form (which we will send you after you are accepted to the MoTS
program) and be admitted as a graduate student. Since this is a
master's degree, only federal loans (not direct grants) are available.
Alternative loans (loans that the Oregon University system gives to
students) may also be available. Information about financial aid and
the FAFSA is located on the SOU financial aid Web site. Financial aid is not available for individual a la carte courses unless you are part of the master's program.
Money is not dispersed until the first day of class, so you must make arrangements for payment of room and board by the May 30 deadline.
Question:
Is there a different fee structure for out-of-state students?
Answer:
No. Out-of-state students pay the same amount as Oregon residents.
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The program
Question:
What type of electives are acceptable to fulfill the additional 9 credit hours required for the Master of Theatre Studies?
Answer:
The
9 elective credits must be from 500-level theatre related courses. All
courses must be approved by your advisor. Your 9 elective credits may
come from any of our 3-credit a la carte courses. You may petition the
program to accept 6 credits from an appropriate previously completed
graduate degree.
In summer 2008, the a la carte courses are as follows: July 7-11 The Director and the Rehearsal Process, Choreography for Musical Theatre, and Costume Crafts from Head to Toe, and July 28-August 1 VectorWorks (computer-aided design) for the Theatre.
The Theatrical Combat Workshop held June 23-July 5 may also be used to meet 3 of your 9 elective credits.
Another option to meet 3 of your 9 elective credits is Survey of Dramatic Literature , an online course held January 7-March 21, 2008.
Question:
How many credits may I use for the remaining required 9 credit hours from my previous graduate work?
Answer:
You
may use up to 6 graduate level credits from courses taken that are
assigned to a currently held graduate degree in an appropriate
discipline. All courses must be approved by your advisor before they
can be included. Once you are accepted you will meet with your advisor
to go over your additional coursework and determine what is and is not
applicable.
Question:
May I 'test out' of certain aspects of the curriculum?
Answer:
No.
Rather than distinct courses in, for example, lighting design, all
elements of the curriculum are integrated in the concentrated 2-week
summer sessions. We do offer different levels of projects in some of
the hands-on build portion of the summer sessions. For the research and
applied projects in your school we encourage you to focus on areas of
greatest potential growth.
Question:
Are the 12 credit hours SEMESTER or QUARTER credit hours?
Answer:
Quarter credits.
Question:
Do I have to stay in the SOU residence halls?
Answer:
No, you do not have to stay in on-campus housing.
Question:
Can I get an MFA in this program?
Answer:
No.
The degree that we offer is a Master of Theatre Studies in Production
and Design. This is a degree for people who are already teachers and
want more education that is geared toward helping them teach their
students about the technical and design aspects of theatre.
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For more information contact Su Grossmann at acts@sou.edu or 541-552-6633.
