Programme Title: Postgraduate Specialist University Study Programme in Drama Pedagogy
Academic Domain: 7.0. Interdisciplinary Academic Domain
Academic Field: 7.01. Educational Sciences
Programme Duration: 2 semesters
Academic Degree Awarded: University Specialist in Drama Pedagogy (spec. educ.)
Programme Head: Asst. Prof. Maša Rimac Jurinović, PhD; e-mail: masa.rimacjurinovic@ufzg.unizg.hr
Programme Deputy Head: Prof. Vladimira Velički, PhD; e-mail: vladimira.velicki@ufzg.unizg.hr
Enquiries: dramskapedagogija@gmail.com
Postgraduate Specialist Programme Council:
- Asst. Prof. Maša Rimac Jurinović, PhD
- Prof. Antonija Balić, DA
- Prof. Tamara Turza Bogdan, PhD
- Ines Škuflić-Horvat, PhD
- Prof. Vladimira Velički, PhD
As a specialist programme, Drama Pedagogy structurally integrates theoretical frameworks with continuous practical application, ensuring that field experiences systematically interface with relevant academic theories. This equilibrium fosters the acquisition of professional competencies essential for advanced drama pedagogy practice. Because personal immersion in drama activities is critical for developing pedagogical insight, the curriculum prioritises high-contact workshop delivery across multiple modules; as a result, the volume of active instructional hours remains substantial. The curriculum equips graduates to deploy drama-based methodologies across contexts, from core mainstream schooling for diverse age pupils to extracurricular drama-based activities. A substantial component of the curriculum evaluates theatre for children and young people as a critical vehicle for drama education.
Furthermore, targeted research supervision supports students in designing and executing field-based empirical studies within drama education and children’s theatre.
The first semester comprises a core pedagogical module (Theory of Education and Schooling) and four foundational professional courses: Drama Education – Theories and Approaches, Creative Drama, Perspectives on Theatre for Children, and Storytelling and Recitation.
The second semester features one compulsory module – Drama-Based Teaching Methods in Teaching – that solidifies the Study Programme’s core thematic scope. In both semesters, substantial credit weight (4 and 5 ECTS, respectively) and contact hours (60 per semester) are allocated to practicums. Practicum 1 places students in drama studios under the mentorship of experienced drama pedagogues. Practicum 2 takes place in preschools and schools, involving structured classroom observations of seasoned drama pedagogues working within the educational system. Additionally, Practicum 2 includes theatre visits where students monitor the staging of productions for young audiences. The Practicum 1 and Practicum 2 courses also feature integrated workshops that provide specific practical training in Drama Writing, Directing, and Scenography, while also supplementing or advancing student knowledge necessary for their drama pedagogy practice, such as No-Page-to-Stage, Drama with Special Educational Needs (SEN) Pupils, Page-to-Stage, Puppet Theatre, and the successful completion of their studies, such as Academic Writing.
Apart from compulsory courses, students are offered the following elective courses: Psychology of Creativity, Collectively Devised Theatre, Approaches to Puppetry, Playwriting, Practice-to-Research, Philosophy of Creativity, Performative Practices of Boal and Bohm, and Play as an Instructional Facilitator. Students are required to choose and attend three elective courses.
The programme culminates in a postgraduate specialist dissertation (15 ECTS credits). This dissertation, predominantly a professional paper and occasionally a research paper, demonstrates the candidate’s mastery of the curriculum and capacity to investigate a selected problem independently. The final submission generally addresses a contemporary theoretical or practical issue within the field.
Admission Requirements:
Eligibility is extended to applicants holding one of the following qualifications:
- The Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate University Primary Teacher Education Study Programme within the field of Educational Sciences (Pedagogy);
- The Graduate University Study Programme in Early Childhood and Preschool Education within the field of Educational Sciences;
- Second-cycle graduate or pre-Bologna undergraduate teacher-training study programmes in related fields (Educational Sciences, Pedagogy, Information and Communication Sciences, Sociology, Psychology, and Educational Rehabilitation) or other relevant domains;
- Pre-Bologna four-year professional undergraduate programmes delivered by a teacher education faculty prior to the entry into force of the Act on Scientific Activity and Higher Education (Official Gazette Nos. 123/03, 105/04, 174/04, 2/07 – USRH Decision, 46/07, 45/09, and 63/11) with statutory equivalence to the modern Master of Primary Education academic title;
- Graduate or pre-Bologna undergraduate university study programmes in the humanities, contextually linked to drama pedagogy (e.g., Comparative Literature or Theatre Studies);
- Graduate or pre-Bologna undergraduate university study programmes in the artistic domain, field of Theatre Arts.
Additional Admission Criteria:
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.60 achieved in the preceding degree programme;
- certified English or additional language proficiency at CEFR level B2;
- demonstrated motivation for specialist competency acquisition and academic research (evaluated via a letter of intent and an oral interview).
Selection Preference under Equal Ranking:
- Peer-reviewed academic or professional publications in educational sciences or the humanities (Theatre Studies and Dramatology), or documented public artistic work;
- Research experience on projects within Educational Sciences, Theatre Studies, or adjacent fields, verified by the Head of Project; or documented professional experience in arts projects; or drama pedagogy professional experience (in educational institutions or drama studios).
Tuition Fees per Semester: €1,659.04
For further details, please visit the following link…