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Apr 28, 2025
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Graduate Catalog 2011-2012 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Dance - MFA
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The MFA program in Dance prepares dance artists/educators for many kinds of professional roles in the field of dance through a studio-based program of dance technique and choreography, complemented by appropriate coursework in theory, perspectives and contexts, history, and dance pedagogy. The MFA in Dance is considered the terminal degree in the field; it is the baseline qualifying credential for the college/university teaching job market, a crucial laboratory for furthering deep personal artistic accomplishment, and an important venue for the development of contextual and aesthetic understanding. Note: Program is expected to start in spring or fall of 2013.
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Admission Requirements
All applicants will be required to complete the online graduate school application, submit an updated CV, interview and audition (including presenting original choreography) for admission to the program. Admission will occur only in the fall semester. Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree in any subject, appropriate professional dance experience, and a clearly demonstrated career plan for which academic study of the art form is appropriate. Based on a proficiency exam and one-on-one assessment administered early in the course of study, undergraduate courses may be required to cover specific deficiencies in the student’s preparation. Curriculum
The degree plan will comprise courses in dance pedagogy, theory, criticism, aesthetics, history, research methods, cultural studies, physical training, and extensive creative work in dance and choreography. The culmination of the curriculum will be the MFA capstone project. Though the emphasis on pedagogy will differentiate this MFA from many others, the breadth of the curriculum will equal those of other excellent programs, public and private, in the United States. Requirements
This MFA program requires 60 credits and is a terminal degree. This credit load matches the standards articulated by the National Association of Schools of Dance, as well as Dance MFA programs at recognized institutions across the nation. The credit requirements are as follows: - Pedagogy 6 credits
- Theory and Perspectives 12 credits
- Technique 11 credits
- Creative Work 11 credits
- Major MFA project 8 credits
- Electives 12 credits
The 12 elective credits will make it possible for the student to investigate particular areas of interest, primarily outside the Dance Program. Pedagogy
The 6-credit Pedagogy requirement consists of the following courses: Theory/Context/Perspectives
The 12-credit requirement in Theory/Context/Perspectives is met by the following courses: Technique
The following courses meet the 11-credit requirement in Technique: Creative Work
The 11 required Creative Work credits are distributed as follows: Electives
The 12 credits of electives are chosen from across the college curriculum according to particular student interests. Independent study with the Dance faculty in ground-breaking research is encouraged. MFA Project
The MFA Project consists of: - Development of approximately one hour of new performance work
- Close interaction with faculty as aesthetic and compositional strategies are developed, clarified and implemented
- Preparation of work for public presentation, collaboration with producing partners, including development of PR materials
- Extensive (20-25 pages) written document designed to foster critical self-awareness, effective evaluation skills, and understanding of personal locus, context and functionality in the community of artists as well as the broader cultural landscape
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