Program Overview

Dance, Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)

The Dance, Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) program requires students to complete a total of 60 credit hours of study with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to graduate. Graduation from the program requires the successful completion of a final project demonstrating a synthesis of craft and artistic understanding as well as professional competence in the area of concentration.

Program Requirements

• The program consists of a thesis project and an online portfolio of selected indicators of artistry and pedagogy.
• The thesis project includes:
  • The public presentation of a dance work choreographed by the candidate, along with written documentation of the project as agreed upon with the thesis adviser.
  • The presentation of an online portfolio of selected indicators of artistry and pedagogy.
• The thesis project work may be presented in one or more publicly attended events, in a shared capacity with another MFA candidate.
• Candidates are responsible for the organization of all production elements involved in the presentation of the project.

Course Requirements

The following courses are required:

• DANC600: Graduate Dance Research (3 credits)
• DANC604: Graduate Studies in Dance Pedagogy (3 credits)
• DANC608: Graduate Choreography I: Creative Process (3 credits)
• DANC610: Workshop in the Direction of Dance Production (1 credit)
• DANC611: Dance Technology and Media (1 credit)
• DANC648: Advanced Modern Dance Technique I (1 credit)
• DANC649: Advanced Modern Dance Technique II (1 credit)
• DANC699: Thesis Writing Lab (1 credit)
• DANC708: Graduate Choreography II: Collaboration (3 credits)
• DANC719: Graduate Choreography III: Projects (3 credits)
• DANC766: Graduate Movement Observation and Analysis (3 credits)
• DANC784: Dance in a Global Context (3 credits)
• DANC799: Master's Thesis Project (6 credits)
• TDPS789: Professional Development in Dance and Theatre (1 credit)
• Electives approved with advisor (27 credits)
• Total Credits: 60

Additional Information

Students should check with their advisor to determine the remainder of their coursework. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in dance, including research, pedagogy, choreography, and performance. The final project is a culmination of the student's work in the program and demonstrates their ability to synthesize craft and artistic understanding with professional competence.