Alternative Training

What is alternative training?

The Alternative Training Program was created by the National Association for Drama Therapy to provide a means for individuals outside the approved graduate programs in drama therapy (New York University and California Institute for Integral Studies) to satisfy the educational requirements for the RDT. Basic eligibility requirements and additional training/work experience still must be met. Alternative training permits individuals to creatively design an individualized learning program that credits related work experience and training opportunities.

This training is offered through accredited academic institutions, institutes, conferences and workshops run by RDT/Trainers and RDT/Master Teachers. Additional hours may also be earned through clinical supervision by a licensed and knowledgeable supervisor or physician and/or a registered creative arts or mental health/special education professional. Alternative training hours must be earned with more than one RDT Trainer/Teacher and supervised by at least two different RDT's or an RDT and a licensed professional in the field.

What are the requirements and responsibilities?

The candidate must hold an undergraduate degree plus a MA, MFA, MS, MSW or doctoral level degree in the behavioral sciences or theater/drama, in order to meet the requirements of the Alternative Training.

It is the trainee's responsibility to select an RDT/BCT who will serve as the primary mentor/advisor to design a program of study that satisfies the core curriculum requirements and can serve as a trainer and or supervisor for an agreed upon fee.

Prior course work, work experience and other credentials will be reviewed by the Education Committee and the Trainer/Adviser. Courses will be evaluated according to course content, not necessarily course title. Credit may be given and applied to satisfying program requirements.

Any individual pursuing alternative training studies must have a learning contract signed by both him/herself and the primary RDT/BCT which is updated and sent annually to the NADT office. An individual will not be considered an alternative training student unless this is done.

Each program of study will be designed in accordance with the needs of the individual and the standards of the organization. There is a basic core curriculum for all drama therapy students. This curriculum includes a basic 24 units in drama therapy and 12 units in psychology. Psychology classes can be transferred from previous or ongoing college work. Elective classes are chosen based on the interests of the student.

How to apply:

Students will submit a letter of intent to the NADT office, c/o the Chair of the Education Committee, stating the intention to pursue the Alternative Training Program and enclosing a fee of $75. The check, made out to NADT, will include a one year student membership. The remainder of the fee will go for administrative costs of the Alternative Training Program (e.g. the publication and dissemination of this manual and related materials). Send to: The National Association for Drama Therapy, 5505 Connecticut Avenue, NW, #208, Washington, DC 20015.

The student will receive a copy of the NADT bibliography and a list of NADT Board approved RDT-Trainer/Teachers and a Learning Contract. The student may request a specific Trainer if he/she chooses. It is the student's responsibility to check the status of the drama therapist with whom he/she studies. To be considered as a valid Trainee, the learning contract, must be signed by RDT-BCT Trainer and Trainee and sent to the NADT National Office.

What Costs are involved?

Institutes, workshops and individual training programs have their fee structures in place. There will be a fee for supervision to be determined by the training body or individual in consultation with the NADT Board. The Drama Therapy Institute of Los Angeles charges $70 per hour for supervision. The fee charged to take the written examination which will be mandatory for all new RDT's will be $25 payable to NADT. For this fee the student will receive a study guide on the CORE curriculum and a bibliography on his/her area of concentration.