Validated by
The Institute of Health,
Social Care and Psychology
This programme is approved by
The Health Professions Council
MA IN DRAMATHERAPY
This MA programme is led by a long-established, united and very experienced staff team. Individual staff are committed to working together closely and enthusiastically to provide a high-quality and synergetic education experience in dramatherapy for postgraduates in the city of Exeter, Devon. The staff team and their work have gained an excellent reputation both locally and nationally.
The Exeter-based postgraduate education provision in dramatherapy is the longest-established in the UK. The staff are pleased to announce that from September 2008, this Masters programme will be offered by the School of Dramatherapy, The Iron Mill Dramatherapy South West Ltd, Exeter, and relocated to pleasant studio accommodation at the X-Centre on the riverside near the historic Exeter Quay, just minutes away from cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Period of study:
This is a three-year, part-time programme, which recruits biennially.
The next intakes are September 2008, September 2010, September 2012 and so on.
Attendance is on one day each week, plus two training weekends, during each of the first two academic years of study. The third year focuses on the study of research methods and the preparation and writing of an advanced dramatherapy project.
Years one and two will each include :
30 weekly training days (on a Thursday)
plus
2 training weekends.
Year three will include:
2 study days
plus
individual tutorials and academic supervision sessions.
The programme is so designed to facilitate students who have to travel some distance to Exeter, where the programme is based. More importantly, it allows students time between study days for reflection, the consolidation of ideas and for the development of their own practice and research.
Professional registration is set at Masters level. Therefore, only successful
completion of the three-year Masters programme (180 credits) provides eligibility to
apply for registration as a dramatherapist with the Health Professions Council (HPC)
and full membership of the British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth).
General aim of the programme:
The programme seeks to educate students in the use and understanding of drama as a therapeutic process. Through theoretical study and practical and clinical experience, it aims to enhance their academic, professional, personal and creative skills.
General programme philosophy and structure:
The staff team regards dramatherapy as a creative professional practice that supports people in their personal development and healing. Dramatherapists need to be able to work with a wide range of groups and individuals, and to understand the processes involved in the therapeutic relationship.
The Exeter Course promotes an eclectic approach to dramatherapy, encouraging each student to create their own role as dramatherapist in a way that reflects their particular background, interests and abilities. Difference is respected and critical reflection is encouraged. The students examine and explore key models of dramatherapy. They are supported in developing an understanding of therapeutic process which is grounded in creative movement, play, drama and theatre.
The syllabus is carefully interwoven, giving the student a connected experience of theory and practice. Students learn through an integrated curriculum of lectures, seminars and discussions, experiential and practical workshops, group work and supervised clinical practice. Students receive a high level of personal support through the duration of their study.
The programme is designed to provide a distinctive education experience for people from a variety of backgrounds including creative arts practitioners, educators, health professionals and care workers.
Students are educated to practise Dramatherapy to a standard meeting the criteria of the Health Professions Council (HPC) and the British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth). Successful completion of the three-year Masters programme leads to eligibility to apply for registration as a dramatherapist with the HPC and full membership of BADth.
The MA programme comprises the equivalent of 9 modules (60 credits in each year of study), which together total 180 credits at Masters level.
There are three 20-credit modules in each of years one and two of the education programme. These modules run concurrently, each spanning three terms of study over one academic year. The curriculum embraces in-depth study of dramatherapy contexts and practice; movement, drama and theatre techniques; sources and concepts of dramatherapy theory; clinical practice placements. Year three focuses on the study of research methods and the preparation and presentation of an advanced dramatherapy written project, based on clinical practice. This final year comprises one 60-credit module.
YEAR ONE:
• The Practice of Dramatherapy
• Theories & Models for Dramatherapy
• Creative Skills Development
YEAR TWO:
• Advanced Dramatherapy Practice
• Advanced Dramatherapy Theory
• Dramatherapy Clinical Placement
YEAR THREE:
• Advanced Dramatherapy Project
Year one - 60 credits at level M
Exit Award: Postgraduate Certificate in Dramatherapy Studies
Year two - 120 credits at level M
Exit Award: Postgraduate Diploma in Dramatherapy Studies
Year three - 180 credits at level M
Exit award: MA in Dramatherapy
Whilst being rooted in theory, a high percentage of the education programme is experiential in nature, with an emphasis on clinical practice and personal development. Students are required to find suitable placement venues for their developing dramatherapy practice by the end of their first term. Students also are required to be in therapy through their study period. Details of this requirement will be explained at interview.
Staff team:
Members of the staff work together closely as an integrated team of individuals.
The current staff team includes:
Mary Booker
Adele Evans
Di Gammage
John Hazlett Dickinson
Chris Hill
Sarah Scoble.
Dorothy Langley is the Programme Consultant.
Entry Requirements:
- Normally, a relevant first degree or equivalent qualification.
- Those with professional experience but without a first degree, will be required to provide written evidence of graduate level study skills.
- Normally, some experience of working with people with specific needs.
- Evidence of some experience of practical drama.
- Evidence of some up-to-date reading within the areas of dramatherapy, psychology and psychotherapy.
- Demonstration of personal maturity and initiative.
- Compliance with the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974, and mental health legislation for clinical placement and employability in the NHS, local authority social services departments (LASSDs), working with children, and other similar sensitive areas of employment.
Due consideration is given by the selection panel to the previous experience of each applicant, both through APEL (Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning).
Entry to the programme is by written application and interview.
Contact:
Sarah Scoble, Programme Leader,
MA in Dramatherapy,
c/o The X-Centre,
Commercial Road,
Exeter, EX2 4AD email: dramatherapy.sw@zen.co.uk
Disclaimer: The contents of this leaflet are correct at the time of printing/email transmission.
21.August.2008