Best institutions to study Theatre Literature
A program that focuses on the study of the history, literature, theory, and analysis of written plays, theatrical productions, and theatre methods and organization.
7 U.S. institutions graduated 36 Theatre Literature students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0505, a specialization of Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05), and leads most directly to the Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1121).
About Theatre Literature programs
A program that focuses on the study of the history, literature, theory, and analysis of written plays, theatrical productions, and theatre methods and organization. Includes instruction in historical method; critical theory; literary analysis; the study of themes and archetypes in dramatic literature; the history of acting, directing, and technical theatre; and the study of specific historical and cultural styles and traditions.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Theatre Literature program, formally known as Theatre Literature, History and Criticism, is designed for students interested in exploring the rich tapestry of theatrical arts. This program focuses on the study of written plays, theatrical productions, and various theatre methods and organizations, making it ideal for those passionate about drama and performance arts.
Students in this program will gain a deep understanding of historical methods, critical theory, and literary analysis. Coursework includes the study of themes and archetypes in dramatic literature, the history of acting, directing, and technical theatre, alongside specific historical and cultural styles and traditions.
Credentials awarded
What Theatre Literature graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree20 graduates / yr · 4 institutions56%
- Master's degree8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions22%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions17%
- Associate's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution5.6%
Graduates over time
Theatre Literature completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 43 |
| 2013 | 46 |
| 2014 | 46 |
| 2015 | 42 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 40 |
| 2018 | 54 |
| 2019 | 52 |
| 2020 | 46 |
| 2021 | 50 |
| 2022 | 53 |
| 2023 | 32 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 36 |
Top 7 institutions for Theatre Literature, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 49% | $36,717 | — |
| 2 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 3 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 89% | — | $17,985 |
| 4 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 68% | $28,141 | $22,021 |
| 5 | Kaskaskia College Centralia, ILPublicAssociate's | 2 | 49% | — | — |
| 6 | Augustana College Rock Island, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 73% | $14,960 | $20,326 |
| 7 | Bowdoin College Brunswick, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 95% | $15,454 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft field (CIP 50.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 5 states
Where Theatre Literature graduates come from. Each state links to all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 1 | 16 | Clark Atlanta University16 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 9 | Yale University9 / yr |
| Illinois | 3 | 5 | DePaul University2 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 5 | University of Maryland - College Park5 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 1 | Bowdoin College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1121, Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Theatre Literature program often pursue careers as postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers. The job outlook for this field shows little to no change, with an annual opening of approximately 9,000 positions and a median wage of $80,190, typically requiring a master's degree for entry.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0505
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Theatre Literature programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare students for performances, exams, or assessments.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as acting techniques, fundamentals of music, and art history.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Tools and technology used
Other Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05).
- Drama and Dramatics/CIP 50.0501
Theatre Arts 9,838 graduates / yr813 institutions - ActingCIP 50.05061,706 graduates / yr111 institutions
- Technical Theatre/CIP 50.0502
Theatre Design and Technology 1,232 graduates / yr158 institutions - Musical TheatreCIP 50.05091,212 graduates / yr123 institutions
- Playwriting and ScreenwritingCIP 50.0504889 graduates / yr52 institutions
- Dramatic/CIP 50.0599
Theatre Arts and Stagecraft 404 graduates / yr45 institutions - Directing and Theatrical ProductionCIP 50.0507197 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Theatre and DanceCIP 50.051297 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Comedy Writing and PerformanceCIP 50.0511limited data35 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Costume DesignCIP 50.051032 graduates / yr11 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, with a smaller option for an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, critical thinking, writing, and active learning.
What are common careers for graduates?+
Many graduates become postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little change, with about 9,000 annual openings and a median wage of $80,190.
What is the CIP code for Theatre Literature?+
Theatre Literature is CIP 50.0505 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the study of the history, literature, theory, and analysis of written plays, theatrical productions, and theatre methods and organization. Includes instruction in historical method; critical theory; literary analysis; the study of themes and archetypes in dramatic literature; the history of acting, directing, and technical theatre; and the study of specific historical and cultural styles and traditions.
How many institutions offer Theatre Literature programs?+
7 U.S. institutions reported Theatre Literature graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 36 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.
How much do Theatre Literature graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Theatre Literature most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,620 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft field report median earnings of $20,326 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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