Drama Therapy Training in the Interdisciplinary Arts Program

In keeping with its commitment to “exploring the arts as a vehicle for therapeutic artistic expression, transformation, and healing” - the Interdisciplinary Arts Program of NSU, under the leadership of its director, Dr. David S. Spangler, has instituted a track in drama therapy to train students to become Registered Drama Therapists. This makes it the only university program in the field in the southeast and the fourth in the nation.

WHAT IS DRAMA THERAPY?

Drama Therapy is the systematic and intentional use of drama/theatre processes and products to achieve the therapeutic goals of symptom relief, emotional and physical integration, and personal growth. It is an active, experiential approach that facilitates the client's ability to tell his/her story, solve problems, set goals, express feelings appropriately, achieve catharsis, extend the depth and breadth of inner experience, improve interpersonal skills and relationships, and strengthen the ability to perform personal life roles while increasing flexibility between roles. Participants benefiting from Drama Therapy span the life spectrum. Client populations may include persons recovering from addiction, dysfunctional families, developmentally disabled persons, abuse survivors, prison inmates, homeless persons, people with AIDS, older adults, behavioral health consumers, at-risk youth, and the general public. Drama Therapists are employed in Mental Health Facilities, Schools, Hospitals, Substance Abuse Treatment Centers, Adult Day Care Centers, Correctional Facilities, Community Centers, After-School Programs, Shelters, Adolescent Group Homes, Nursing Homes, Private Practice Settings, Corporations, Training Organizations, Theatres, Housing Projects, and Medical Schools.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE IAP DRAMA THERAPY TRACK

The track is directed by Dr. Norman J. Fedder, Associate Director/Academic Coordinator of IAP and Registered Drama Therapist (RDT)/Board Certified Trainer (BCT). Dr. Fedder is a leader in the field of Drama Therapy.  A University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Theatre at Kansas State University, he founded and directed its renowned Drama Therapy Program. He was honored by the National Association for Drama Therapy (NADT) by receiving its initial “Raymond Jacobs Diversity Award” as well as its “Gertrud Schattner Award” –– the highest honor the association can bestow.

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A REGISTERED DRAMA THERAPIST?

To become a Registered Drama Therapist one needs a Master’s Degree in a field related to Drama Therapy (such as Interdisciplinary Arts) from an accredited college or university and completion of requirements established by NADT, under the supervision of an RDT/BCT.

CONNECTION WITH THE SOUL STUDIES INSITUTE

Concurrent with their studies and following graduation, further opportunities have been made open to students to take required courses and internships in conjunction with the Soul Studies Institute – a creative arts therapy center in Stuart, FL – directed by Wendy Limber MA, RDT/BCT, Licensed Family Therapist and her associate, Petee McGowen, MA, RDT/BCT, Licensed Family Therapist.

The Drama Therapy Track of the M.S. in Education with a Concentration in Interdisciplinary Arts encompasses a total of 36 credit hours. There are four "Foundation Courses" (3 credit hours each, for a total of 12 hours); seven Specialization Courses – six (3 credit hours each for a total of 18 credit hours), plus a six credit  hour "Capstone Project," to reach a total of 36 hours. The courses are listed below. (NOTE: Nine of the Specialization Courses are psychology requirements for certification as a Registered Drama Therapist, and are offered by the Department of Family Therapy in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.)

Foundation Courses
EIA 511	Studies in Creative Process & Conceptual Arts: A Quantum Vision
EIA 512	Arts and Expressive Therapies
EIA 526	Research in Interdisciplinary Arts: An Introduction to the I.A. Program
EIA 6505	Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Arts I: Principles of Drama Therapy

Specialization Courses
EIA 503 or EIA 557	Arts and Classroom Management OR Cinematherapy
EIA 513	The Art of Words: Writing for Dramatic Media
EIA 517 or EIA 600	Interdisciplinary Creative Arts Infusion OR International Arts & Culture Infusion
SFTM 5310	Introduction to Systems Theories
SFTM 6333	Theories of Personality and Psychopathology
SFTM 6374	Human Development and Individual/Group Psychotherapy
EIA 689	Applied Professional Experiences (Capstone Project)