Dance, MFA
Choreography, Performance, creative, dance, modern, movement, social, theater, urban
Are you eager to explore new possibilities as an artist, educator or scholar in the field of dance? Learn to recognize and cultivate your unique strengths.
The ASU MFA program in dance is normally accomplished during three years of residency.
The dance program welcomes a diversity of applicants, including returning professionals, who have experience and interest in choreography, dance science and somatics, dance teaching praxis, dance and technology, community engagement, practices of equity and inclusion, professional partnerships and dance scholarship and theory. Students whose approaches are interdisciplinary and cross-cultural in nature and who are self-motivated, have clear and demonstrated objectives and are willing to explore new possibilities in the field of dance and beyond are ideal for this program.
This program encourages in-depth study in a range of dance practices and related fields.
Each graduate student will develop their potential as a creator, performer, teacher, thinker and art advocate. Frequent showings are required for degree completion.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
60 credit hours and a portfolio
Students in the Master of Fine Arts 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. The Master of Fine Arts portfolio in dance serves as the culminating experience in the graduate dance curriculum. The portfolio takes into consideration the future goals of the student and serves as a bridge to careers beyond graduate school. Additional information on degree requirements for this degree is available on the curriculum check sheet located at the bottom of the school's degree page.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they 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 they must have 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 page.
| 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 has the following program outcomes:
- 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.
Dance artists and educators who complete the Master of Fine Arts program in dance are prepared for work in a variety of settings and industries, including higher education dance programs, commercial dance venues, community dance and wellness programs, professional dance companies and stage production settings.
Graduates with a Master of Fine Arts in dance are successful securing employment at diverse international venues and events and working abroad as dance artists and educators. These opportunities might include teaching abroad at a university, in a professional training program or at a dance festival; choreographing for community or professional organizations; performing with a dance company; or working as an independent artist. A number of full- and part-time employment opportunities exist all over the world.
Career examples include:
- choreographer
- community engagement and social activist artist
- dance researcher, scholar or reviewer
- dance works curator
- performing artist
- performing arts program developer
- social engagement practitioner
- somatics educator
- teaching artist
- university dance educator
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
|
MUSIC E167
MDTAdmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
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. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. 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.
