502 South Cooper St. Arlington, TX 76019
144 Fine Arts Building North, Box 19103
Administrative Office: (817) 272-2650
theatrearts@uta.edu
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts with Teaching Certification
Turn your passion into a career and be a leader for creativity and community!
Our program is built on a powerful belief: education reaches far beyond the walls of a classroom. Rooted in a community-engaged mindset, we prepare future educators to see their work as meaningful, connected, and transformative. This four-year undergraduate liberal arts degree leads to EC–12 Teaching Certification in Texas, equipping you with both the knowledge and the hands-on experience needed to confidently begin your teaching career—where starting salaries typically range from $62,000 to $65,000 per year. Along the way, you’ll engage in a broad and dynamic range of courses that open doors not only to theatre education, but also to leadership and arts administration.
How is the program structured?
The BA in Theatre Arts with Teaching Certification is a four-year liberal arts undergraduate degree that prepares you to become a certified EC–12 Theatre teacher in Texas—while developing you into a dynamic, well-rounded theatre artist.
In this program you don't have to choose between being a theatre artist or teacher—you become both.
As a Theatre Arts major, you build a strong artistic foundation through coursework in acting, directing, playwriting, design/tech, stage management, script analysis, and theatre history. From Acting Fundamentals and Stagecraft to Theatrical Makeup and advanced production work, you gain hands-on experience both on stage and behind the scenes.
Through the College of Education, you also develop the skills to lead a classroom with confidence. Courses in classroom management, assessment methods, growth and development, and teaching diverse learners—combined with meaningful school field placements—prepare you to inspire students from day one.
The degree includes:
- 42 University Core credits
- 36 credits in Theatre Arts
- 24 credits in Education
- 18 credits in Electives
With your elective credits you can expand your career options by adding a second teachable area such as History, Science, English, or Math—making you even more marketable to Texas school districts.
Designed to meet the growing demand for certified theatre teachers across Texas ISDs, this program positions you to graduate ready to teach, direct productions, lead theatre programs, and shape the next generation of artists.
What kinds of careers does this program prepare me for?
With the Teaching Certification, graduates can become elementary, junior high, or high school theatre teachers, inspiring students with production and performance skills. Additionally, the BA in Theatre Arts with Teaching Certification opens doors to a wide range of exciting career paths beyond the classroom. They may also work as teaching artists or with artist-in-residence programs, bringing theatre directly into schools and communities. They may take on positions as outreach and applied theatre practitioners collaborating with organizations to engage community in meaningful ways and to address social change. Other leadership opportunities include roles as arts administrators, youth drama counselors, or education leaders in professional theatres. For those looking to continue their education, this degree provides strong preparation for graduate studies, including master’s programs in theatre, education, or arts leadership—positioning graduates to make a lasting impact both on stage and in the classroom.
Is this program the right fit for you?
The BA in Theatre Arts with Teaching Certification is right for you if you are passionate about both theatre and teaching—if you love performing, creating, and sharing your knowledge with others. It’s a perfect fit for those who are curious and eager to learn, exploring new ideas and growing as both students and future educators. You thrive when supporting and encouraging others, working collaboratively, and inspiring your peers. You value inclusivity and respect, making everyone feel welcome in your community, and you take initiative as a leader while contributing meaningfully to group projects. Most importantly, you care deeply about using your skills to engage, support, and make a positive impact on your community.
Theatre Arts Teaching Lab
The purpose-built Theatre Arts Teaching Lab is more than just a space—it’s a theatre, a classroom, and a laboratory where theatre education students learn the skills of teaching theatre. In our Theatre Arts Teaching Lab, you don’t just talk about acting, directing, or design—you walk the talk by putting your skills into real, hands-on experience.
Here, students practice devising, acting, directing, and designing, while also developing the practical skills needed to run a successful theatre for their students, including stage management, technical production, lesson planning, classroom leadership, and creative problem-solving. This hands-on experience ensures they can guide theatre students, coordinate productions, and inspire audiences—all while learning to teach in a real, functioning theatre. At UTA, we believe the best way to learn theatre education is by doing it in a space designed for performance, learning, and leadership.
Join us!
Applications are open September 15, 2025-May 31, 2026.
Area Faculty
Alice Nelson, MFA in Ensemble-Based Physical Theatre from the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, a BEd in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary, and a BFA in Dramatic Arts from the University of Lethbridge
Assistant Professor
Area Head: BA in Theatre Arts with Teaching Certification
Elizabeth Hawkins, MFA Theatre, University of South Carolina; PATP Acting & Musical Theatre, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts
Assistant Professor of Instruction
