by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Drama Therapy explores A Program That Prepares Individuals, In Association With A Rehabilitation Team Or In Private Practice, To Use Dramatic Play, Theater, Role Play, Psychodrama, And Dramatic Ritual In Therapeutic Relationships To Address The Physical, Psychological, Cognitive, Emotional, And Social Needs Of Clients. Includes Instruction In Drama Theory And Performance, Human Growth And Development, Biomedical Sciences, Abnormal Psychology, Disabling Conditions, Patient Assessment And Diagnosis, Treatment Plan Development And Implementation, Clinical Evaluation, Record-Keeping, And Professional Standards And Ethics. Read on to learn the essential details every drama therapy student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering drama therapy programs.
Our 2026 Best Drama Therapy Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for drama therapy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of drama therapy programs later in this article.
Coursework for Drama Therapy develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations drama therapy graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a drama therapy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a drama therapy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
People currently working in careers related to drama therapy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 47.4% |
| Master’s degree | 31.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in drama therapy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in drama therapy can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to drama therapy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to drama therapy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Music Therapists | 3,083,788 | 4.9% |
| Therapists, All Other | 2,758,134 | -2.9% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Art Therapists | 715,793 | 1.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of drama therapy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,332 |
| 4 years | $70,102 |
| 5 years | $75,167 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for drama therapy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers drama therapy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Therapists, All Other | $121,750 |
| Music Therapists | $71,670 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Art Therapists | $40,748 |
With 1 different drama therapy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased drama therapy school rankings to help you.
Students interested in drama therapy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,424 |
| Occupational Therapy/Therapist | 10,460 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,107 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor | 941 |
| Art Therapy/Therapist | 768 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 722 |
| Music Therapy/Therapist | 651 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 621 |
| Orthotist/Prosthetist | 408 |
| Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist | 121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
