May 01, 2025

2025-2026 General Catalog [Effective Fall 2025]

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2025-2026 General Catalog [Effective Fall 2025]

Theatre Arts Education (BA/BS)

Location(s): Main Campus
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Program Information

All courses must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better to be counted in the major.
Student assessment takes place annually through audition or portfolio review for all theatre majors to assess progress and determine each student’s level of skill and competency.
Exit interviews will be held for all graduating seniors.
Every student is required to abide by the policies and procedures set up in the Departmental Student Handbook.
Theatre Arts Education majors must complete either secondary licensure or a minor in addition to their major requirements. Students seeking secondary licensure are strongly encouraged to pursue a teaching minor or other endorsements.
Students will complete a Capstone which will develop original scholarship that critically evaluates and analyzes their creative practice through a written and oral defense presentation to faculty within their discipline.

Bachelor’s Degree Type: Arts or Science Requirement (12* or 16** Credits)

Select one degree type from either Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science:

Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree Requirement (12 Credits*)

Bachelor of Science Degree - Math or Science minimum requirement 12 Credits

* Note: A portion of the BS requirements may be met by fulfilling the General Education Core and Breadth Areas. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details.

or

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree Requirement (16 Credits**)

Bachelor of Arts Degree - Foreign Language Requirement 16 Credits

** Note: One semester of a foreign language may also fulfill the General Education Humanities requirement. The 16 credits may be fulfilled by taking four semesters of a foreign language or by testing out of a language and purchasing the credits. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details.

General Education Requirement (28+ Credits)

See General Education for course options.

Core Course Requirements (12+ Credits)
Breadth Area Requirements (16+ Credits)

Theatre Arts Education Curriculum (50 Credits)

Acting, Directing, and Theory Core (25 Credits)

THEA 1033 - Acting I: Introduction to Acting 3 Credit(s)
THEA 1713 - Script Analysis 3 Credit(s)
THEA 2033 - Acting II 3 Credit(s)
THEA 3613 - Directing I 3 Credit(s)
THEA 3713 - Theatre History: The Classic Theatre 3 Credit(s)
THEA 3723 - Theatre History: Realism, Post-Realistic, and Contemporary Theatre 3 Credit(s)
THEA 4611 - Directing II Lab 1 Credit(s)
THEA 4613 - Directing II: Methods Approach 3 Credit(s)

Capstone Pathway

Complete one of the following pathways:

Supplemental Production Coursework

Complete two of the following:

THEA 2612 - Scenic Technology 2 Credit(s)
THEA 2622 - Costume Technology 2 Credit(s)
THEA 2632 - Lighting, Sound, and Video Technology 2 Credit(s)

Teacher Education Core (11 Credits)

ELED 4000 - Creative Arts Integration in Elementary Education 3 Credit(s)
THEA 2900 - Creative Dramatics 1.5 Credit(s)
THEA 3544 - Theatre Education Practicum 1 Credit(s)
THEA 3900 - Theatre for Elementary Teachers 1.5 Credit(s)
THEA 4905 - Theatre Engagement and Education 1 Credit(s)

Complete One of the Following

For K-12 Licensure: THEA 3950 - Methods in Performing Arts Education 3 Credit(s)
For non-licensure: Select 3 THEA credits approved by department 3 Credit(s)

Minor or Secondary Licensure (16-37 Credits)

Students must complete either a minor or secondary licensure in consultation with their faculty advisor.

Free Electives and University Requirements

Students’ total free elective credit is determined by their General Education courses taken, degree type selected (if applicable), additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Some students and/or programs may not have any free electives.

For a bachelor’s degree, students must earn

A minimum of 120 total credits;
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in both SUU coursework and combined transfer/SUU coursework;
40 upper-division credits , 20 of which are earned from SUU (students may need to select additional upper-division courses not included in their major requirements in order to reach this minimum 40); and
30 credits completed through SUU.

Total Credits, BA/BS Degree with Minor: 120

Professional Education Requirements for Secondary Licensure (36-37 Credits)*

To qualify for a teaching license, students must also complete the sequence of professional education courses listed by the Department of Teacher Education . Please see the degree requirements for Secondary Education Licensure . Some classes required for the licensure cannot be taken until the teacher candidate has been admitted to the College of Education and Human Development. Please consult your Student Success Advisor or the Department of Teacher Education for further instruction.

* Students who complete their teaching methods course(s) and student teaching as part of their major requirements will earn fewer than 36 credits. Those course credits are counted only once in the degree total.

Pre-Admission Courses (18-19 Credits)

EDUC 2100 - Principles of Curriculum and Instruction 3 Credit(s)
EDUC 2200 - Educational Psychology 3 Credit(s)
EDUC 2400 - Schools, Society, and Diversity 3 Credit(s)
SPED 2030 - Educating Exceptional Students 3 Credit(s)
SCED 3180 - Instructional Technology for Teaching and Learning 2-3 Credit(s)
SCED 3720 - Content Area Literacy and Utah Core 2 Credit(s)
Academic 3900/4900 Methods Course(s) 2-3 Credit(s)

Block Courses: Block Application Required (6 Credits)

SCED 3570 - Secondary Classroom Management 3 Credit(s)
SCED 3590 - Instructional Planning, Delivery, and Assessment 3 Credit(s)

Advanced Teacher Education Program Courses (12 Credits)

Registration for student teaching is contingent upon passing any required content area Praxis test(s).

SCED 4520 - Practicum/Induction Seminar 3 Credit(s)
SCED 4980 - Secondary Student Teaching 6 Credit(s)
Academic 4980 - Student Teaching 3 Credit(s)

Total Credits, BA Degree with Licensure: 125

Total Credits, BS Degree with Licensure: 120

Licensure Notification

This program typically leads to licensure/certification and was designed to meet such qualifications for the state of Utah. Students who are or may be planning to pursue licensure/certification in any other US state or territory may need to meet additional education requirements. This is not a reflection of SUU’s accreditation or quality, as each state and territory regulates their own education requirements for occupational licensure.

Students enrolled in a teacher preparation program may potentially be able to use a Utah educator license to obtain licensure through reciprocity. Additional information may be found through the Department of Teacher Education’s reciprocity table.

Program Learning Outcomes

A successful student will:

Be prepared to become educators who utilize the discipline of theatre as a catalyst in understanding the complex nature of the human condition, artistic exploration and appreciation, and the interrelationship of individual expression and student growth.
Understand basic production processes (i.e. performing, acting, stage direction, design, and the necessary technical operations related to production).
Become familiar with the historical and cultural dimensions of theatre.
Develop visual and aural perceptions for theatre performance.
Make informed assessments of quality in works of theatre and other related art forms.
Possess strong competence in and understanding of the relationship between theatre performance, production, literature, theatre history, theory, criticism, and technical skills through which a theatrical concept is realized.
Demonstrate advanced skills in collaboratively directing productions and an ability to create a variety of types of performances.
Through theatre, use educational theories and strategies; teaching students the integral process of artistic creation from conception to realization.
Have a working knowledge of the state of Utah Arts Core Curriculum, as well as state and national theatre education standards combined with skills in creating a scope and sequence, instruction, and assessment in classroom instruction.

Intended Objectives

Explore post-baccalaureate opportunities with faculty guidance starting a minimum of one year before graduation.
Have the opportunity to attend professional conferences and festivals and work with artists in residence and/or guest artists.
Function in a variety of artistic roles through the presentation of public performances.