Program Overview

---

Dance, MFA

The Master of Fine Arts program in dance is typically accomplished during three years of residency.

Program Description

The School of Music, Dance and Theatre is an inclusive and dynamic environment where students grow as artists, educators and scholars. The MFA in dance program welcomes a range of applicants, including returning dance professionals, who are experienced and interested in creative practices, somatics, teaching praxis, technology, community engagement, practices of equity and inclusion, professional partnerships, scholarship, arts advocacy, theoretical study and inquiry. Individuals whose approaches are transdisciplinary and cross-cultural in nature, who are self-motivated, and who have clear and demonstrated objectives are ideal for this program.

At a Glance

• College/school: Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree Requirements

60 credit hours and a portfolio. Students in the MFA program in dance take coursework in dance and related fields that have been designed to provide a broad and fundamental preparation for future careers. Opportunities on and off campus further develop the knowledge and skills students need to become leaders in the dance community through teaching, performing and creating, and engaging in scholarship and arts advocacy.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency: Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
• Applicant requirements:
  • Earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
  • Submit:
    • Graduate admission application and application fee
    • Official transcripts
    • School of Music, Dance and Theatre application, including a personal statement, teaching sample, recent creative works and a current resume
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Application Deadlines

• Fall:
  • Session: Session A/C
  • Modality: In Person
  • Deadline: 02/01
  • Type: Final

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

• Students will be able to create new artistic work or practices and processes in core areas of interest including: dance performance and creative practice, somatic inquiry, teaching praxis, technology, scholarship, and socially and community engaged practice.
• Students will develop relevant practical and theoretical frames for the analysis and teaching of dance.
• Students will develop creative and movement inquiry and research processes relevant to their chosen area of focus.

Career Opportunities

Graduates with an MFA degree in dance continue in the profession in a variety of settings and industries, including dance in higher education, commercial dance venues, arts organizations, community and wellness programs, professional dance companies, and stage production settings. For some, the degree serves as preparation for the study of dance or other disciplines at the Doctor of Philosophy level.

Opportunities

• Arts programming, grant writing and development
• Choreography, dance, film or installation art
• Community and social engagement
• Dance curation
• Education
• Entrepreneurship
• Performance
• Research, scholarship and curricular development
• Somatics

Program Details

The MFA portfolio in dance serves as the culminating experience in the graduate dance curriculum. The portfolio takes into consideration the student's future goals and serves as a bridge to careers beyond graduate school. Additional information on requirements for this degree is available on the curriculum check sheet at the bottom of the school's degree webpage.