Theatre Major/Secondary Education Major - Speech and Theatre Education, B.A.

General Information:

Bachelor of Arts

The Alice Stout Edwards School of Performing Arts

Students completing the theatre major will:

• develop an appreciation for and knowledge of several areas of theatre including stage movement, vocal training, acting, dancing, stagecraft, design, directing, playwriting, theatre history, and script analysis (Academic);
• acquire experience in performance and technical theatre and develop a strong work ethic that prepares them for postgraduate education or successful professional employment (Vocational);
• recognize the human desire for creativity instilled by God and be able to apply a Christian worldview to the tasks of reading, writing, interpreting, and performing drama (Christian);
• cultivate an appreciation for our nation’s invaluable liberties, which are guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights, particularly the freedom of expression available to those in the performing arts (Patriotic);
• develop an appreciation for the performing arts, their collaborative processes, and their positive contributions in both historical and contemporary society (Cultural).

Speech and Theatre Education Requirements: 75 credit hours

General Education Courses Specified by Major:

• DRM 103 - Exploration of Theatre
• DRM 213 - Stagecraft and Construction
• PSY 273 - Educational Psychology
• SPC 103 - Public Speaking

Required Content Courses: 33 credit hours

• DRM 143 - Vocal and Movement Training for the Stage I
• DRM 223 - Dramatic Structure and Analysis
• DRM 233 - Costuming and Makeup
• DRM 353 - Scene Design
• DRM 443 - Directing I
• DRM 4003 - Business of the Performing Arts
• SPC 203 - Interpersonal Communication
• SPC 333 - Persuasive Speaking
• SPC 343 - Argumentation and Debate

Required Professional Courses: 42 credit hours

• EDU 200 - Introduction to Clinical Practice
• EDU 201 - Classroom Observation and Participation
• EDU 203 - Psychological Development of the Child and Adolescent
• EDU 213 - The Call to Teach, An Introduction to Teaching
• EDU 303 - Education of the Exceptional Learner
• EDU 333 - Analysis in Curriculum & Methods of Teaching
• EDU 353 - Instructional Interventions
• EDU 393 - Methods of Teaching Literacy in the Secondary School
• EDU 423 - Educational Assessment & Data Based Decision Making
• EDU 453 - Trauma Informed Classroom Management
• EDU 4202 - Implementation of Secondary School Best Practices
• EDU 4263 - Best Practices in Teaching Speech & Theatre
• EDU 441 - Classroom Leadership
• EDU 45V - Student Teaching (11 credit hours)

Recommended Voice Electives:

• MUA 101 - Class Voice I
• MUA 201 - Voice

Note:

All Elementary and Secondary Majors should apply for admission to the Teacher Education program by the end of their fourth semester. Standards for admission include: 1) Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75; 2) Minimum of 18 ACT Composite score or SAT equivalent OR state passing score on the ETS Parapro Exam; 3) 30 semester hours course work completed and at least one (1) consecutive semester at College of the Ozarks.

Students must apply for permission to enroll in student teaching during the semester prior to placement. Authorization requires: (1) a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75; a minimum 2.5 GPA in content area coursework; and a minimum 3.0 GPA in professional education coursework; (2) completion of all certification requirements in at least one teaching field; (3) a minimum grade of C- in all required content and professional education courses; and (4) a passing score on the required content-specific Praxis exam(s) prior to student teaching.

For teaching certification to be recommended, the College of the Ozarks Teacher Education Program and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Certification Standards in effect at the time of program completion must be met.

College of the Ozarks students who completed the professional educational programs for teacher certification had a 100% pass rate on the prescribed state licensure tests for 2024-2025.