MFA students engage deeply in creative process as informed by individual backgrounds and coursework in history, theory, literature, movement practice, and repertory. Our three-year residency program gives artists time to delve into MFA core courses as well as an individualized pursuits in dance supported by engaged faculty advisors and visiting artists, faculty and courses in a multitude of other disciplines on campus, and additional resources such as graduate minors or interdisciplinary specializations.
Our community of 15-20 MFA students collaborate with faculty, staff, visiting artists, undergraduates, and each other in Sullivant Hall studios and offices as they develop academically and professionally.
Please see our MFA Checklist that students use to track their course progress to graduation, alongside other university resources, professional staff, and faculty advisors.
CORE COURSES (12 credit hours)
- 6801 Foundations in Dance Research - Autumn 1st Year - 3 Credits
- 6802 Foundations in Dance Pedagogy - Spring 1st Year - 3 Credits
- XXXX Introduction to Dance Studies - Autumn 2nd Year - 3 Credits
- 6200 Choreography Workshop - Autumn 1sts Year - 3 Credits
MOVEMENT PRACTICE COURSES (Minimum of 12 credit hours – average of 2 credit hours per semester for all years)
- 5101/5102 Contemporary
- 5111/5112 Ballet
- 5105/5106 Contemporary Practice
- 5115/5116 Ballet Practice
- 5171/5172 Pilates Mat I/II
- 5173/51744 Pilates Reformer I/II
- 5175 Yoga
- 5176 Bartenieff Fundamentals
- 5177 Alexander Technique
- 5190 Movement Practice: Special Topics
- 5100 Alternative Movement Practice*
*Please complete the Alternative Movement Practice Permission form
CREATIVE PROCESS COURSES (Minimum of 12 credit hours – average of 3 credits per semester in first 2 years)
- 5121 Improvisation
- 5191 Eurhythmics
- 5200 Concert Workshop (required for works adjudicated in Department concerts)
- 5211 Dance Film I
- 5212 Dance Film II
- 5213 Intermedia
- 5601 Production: Practicum
- 5602 Lighting: Practicum
- 5603 Costume: Practicum
- 5611 Technology: Practicum
- 5614 Sound Design for Dance
- 5615 Costume Design for Dance
- 6201 Phrase Development
- 6202 Music and Choreography
- 6203 Group Forms
- 6204 Choreographic Process
- 6290 Composition: Special Topics
- 6301 Analysis [Laban Systems]
- 6702 Performance Techniques
- ACCAD 7893 Interdisciplinary Creative Research Seminar
HISTORY / THEORY / LITERATURE and ELECTIVE COURSES (Minimum of 12 credit hours – average of 3 credits per semester in the first 2 years)
- 6189 Field Experience*
- 6700 Repertory
- 6701 Performance
- 6790 Special Topics in Repertory/Performance
- 6990 Research: Special Topics
- 7402 Dance in a Time of Turbulence
- 7403 Modernism in Dance
- 7404 Postmodernism in Dance
- 7405 Black Continuum in American Dance
- 7406 Theories of the Body
- 7408 Bodies on the Line
- 7409 Ethnographies of Dance & Performance
- 7490 HTL: Special Topics 7500 Directed Teaching*
- 7900 Theories & Methods
- 7901 HTL Choreography
- 7902 HTL Analyzing Movement
* Please complete the Independent Study Plan and Permission form
INDEPENDENT STUDY AND FINAL PROJECT (Minimum of 12 credit hours – mostly in 2nd and 3rd years)
- 6193 Independent Study MFA*
- 7600 Production: MFA Project - in 3rd Year - 1 Credit
- 7999 MFA Project (includes Comprehensive Research Statement and Project Reflection, documentation, oral examination) - 5+ Credits
* Please complete the Independent Study Plan and Permission form