MFA Dance Curriculum

NOTE: The information on this page is also available as a printable PDF: MFA Dance Curriculum PDF

Coursework

Minimum of 60 credits over 3 years

65% Studio or Related courses (39 credit hours minimum)

25% Other Studies in Dance courses (15 credit hours minimum)

10% Elective courses (6 credit hours minimum)

Studio or Related Areas

Students will choose a minimum of 39 credit hours from the following options, 6 of which will include DN540 and DN541, and 3 of which will include DN595 toward the Capstone project.

Course Title Hours
DN511 Graduate Contemporary Technique 2 repeatable
DN512 Graduate Contemporary Technique 2 repeatable
DN521 Graduate Ballet Technique 2 repeatable
DN522 Graduate Ballet Technique 2 repeatable
DN531 Graduate Movement Practice 2 repeatable
DN551 Graduate Jazz Technique 2 repeatable
DN552 Graduate Jazz Technique 2 repeatable
DN611 Graduate Contemporary Technique 2 repeatable
DN612 Graduate Contemporary Technique 2 repeatable
DN621 Graduate Ballet Technique 2 repeatable
DN622 Graduate Ballet Technique 2 repeatable
DN631 Graduate Movement Practice 2 repeatable
DN651 Graduate Jazz Technique 2 repeatable
DN652 Graduate Jazz Technique 2 repeatable
DN540 Graduate Improvisation & Composition I 3
DN541 Graduate Improvisation & Composition II 3
DN505 Graduate Teaching Practicum 1
DN535 Rhythm, Music, and Dance 3
DN640 Collaborative Practice 3
DN650 Creative Process I 1-3 variable, repeatable
DN655 Creative Process II 1-3 variable, repeatable
DN670 Dance in the Digital Age 3
DN680 Laban/Bartenieff Studies 3
DN500 Performance Practicum 1-3 variable, repeatable
DN501 Performance Practicum 1-3 variable, repeatable
DN600 Performance Practicum 1-3 variable, repeatable
DN601 Performance Practicum 1-3 variable, repeatable
DN602 Staging Repertoire 1-3 variable, repeatable
DN595 Capstone Creative Research 1-3 variable, repeatable

Other Studies in Dance

Students will choose a minimum of 15 credit hours from the following options, 3 of which will include either DNCA503 OR DNCA565 during the first year, 3 of which will include DNCA570, and 3 of which will include DNCA595 toward the Capstone project.

Course Title Credit Hours
DNCA503 Graduate Teaching Methods 3
DNCA565 Science of Dance Training 3
DNCA570 Research Methods in Dance 3
DNCA630 Professional Issues in Dance 3
DNCA660 Body Politics in Dance 3
DNCA595 Capstone Scholarly Research 1-3 variable, repeatable

Electives

Students will choose courses to supplement their research and training from courses within or outside of the Dance Program, for a minimum of 6 credits.

Sample Semester by Semester

Subject to change based on student goals and course offerings.

Year 1

Semester 1 Fall (12 credits + potential TA duties)

Subject Matter Credit Hours
Movement 2
Improv & Comp I 3
Teaching Methods 3
Rhythm, Music and Dance 3
Performance Practicum 1

Semester 2 Spring (12 credits + potential TA duties)

Subject Matter Credit Hours
Movement 2
Research Methods 3
Collaborative Practice 3
Elective 3
Performance Practicum 1

Year 2

Semester 3 Fall (10 credits + potential TA/teaching)

Subject Matter Credit Hours
Movement 2
Improv & Comp II 3
Body Politics 3
Teaching Practicum 3
Performance Practicum 1

Semester 4 Spring (10 credits + potential TA/teaching)

Subject Matter Credit Hours
Movement 2
LMA/BF 3
Professional Issues 3
Capstone Project 2

Year 3

Semester 5 Fall (10 credits + potential TA/teaching)

Subject Matter Credit Hours
Movement 2-4
Capstone Project 2
Creative Processes 3
Elective 3

Semester 6 Spring (7+ credits + potential TA/teaching)

Subject Matter Credit Hours
Movement 2-4
Capstone Project 2
Dance in the Digital Age 3