Dance, MFA
Choreography, Performance, creative, dance, modern, movement, social, theater, urban
Are you looking to expand your professional and creative options? You'll thrive in this multifaceted community that helps you recognize and cultivate your strengths as you deepen your connection to dance.
The Master of Fine Arts program in dance is typically accomplished during three years of residency.
The School of Music, Dance and Theatre is an environment of inclusive excellence wherein you grow as an artist, educator and scholar. The MFA in dance program welcomes you as a returning dance professional, 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. If you have a approach that is transdisciplinary and cross-cultural in nature, you are self-motivated, and you have clear and demonstrated objectives, you are ideal for this program.
The program encourages in-depth study through a variety of dance practices and related fields. You develop creative work, scholarship and research that represents your specific perspective as a creative, thinker, teacher and arts advocate. Frequent showings are required for degree completion.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
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, creating, and engaging in scholarship and arts advocacy. 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 on the Music, Dance and Theatre graduate degree page.
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.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a 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.
All applicants must 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
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
All applicants should thoroughly review the application materials and deadlines on the program admission webpage.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 02/01 | Final |
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:
- Develop relevant practical and theoretical frames for the analysis and teaching of dance.
- Develop creative and movement inquiry and research processes relevant to their chosen area of focus.
- Create new artistic work, practices, or research 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.
Graduates 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.
Graduates are empowered to secure employment at diverse international venues and events, and many work abroad as dance artists and educators. Global opportunities include university, professional or dance festival instruction; professional and community choreography creation; professional dance company performance; or independent artistry. Graduates have a number of full- and part-time employment opportunities around the world.
Opportunities may include work with:
- 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
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
|
MUSIC E167
MDTAdmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
