PhD students engage deeply in history, theory, literature, and writing of dance scholarship as informed by individual backgrounds and coursework. The PhD in Dance Studies can take four to six years to complete, depending on research interest and methodolgies for the dissertation. The PhD gives scholars time to delve into PhD core courses as well as an individualized pursuits through 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 10-15 PhD students study with faculty and visiting artists while working alongside MFAs, undergraduates, and each other in Sullivant Hall classrooms and offices as they develop academically and professionally.
Please see our PhD Checklist that students use to track their course progress to graduation, alongside other university resources, professional staff, and faculty advisors.
CORE COURSES IN DANCE STUDIES (26 credit hours)
Histories, Theories, and Cultural Studies
- 6805 Introduction to Dance Studies* - Autumn 1st Year - 3 Credits
- 7902 HTL Analyzing Movement - 1st Offering - 4 Credits
- 7406 Theories of the Body - 1st Offering - 4 Credits
- OR 7408 Bodies on the Line
- 7901 HTL Choreography - 1st Offering - 4 Credits
Methods and Approaches
- 6801 Foundations in Dance Research - Autumn 1st Year - 3 Credits
- 7900 Theories and Methods** - 1st Offering - 4 Credits
- 7409 Ethnographies of Dance and Performance - 1st Offering - 4 Credits
*Required in the first semester of enrollment.
**Required in the first or second year of enrollment.
ELECTIVES IN DANCE (9+ credit hours)**
- 6301 Analysis [Laban Systems] - 3 Credits
- 6802 Foundations in Dance Pedagogy* - 3 Credits
- 7406 Theories of the Body - 4 Credits
- OR 7408 Bodies on the Line
- OR 7490 Performing Bodies (if not used as core)
- 7402 Dance in a Time of Turbulence - 4 Credits
- 7403 Modernism in Dance - 4 Credits
- 7404 Postmodernism in Dance - 4 Credits
- 7405 Black Continuum in American Dance - 4 Credits
- 7390 Analysis: Special Topics
- 7490 History/Theory/Literature: Special Topics (if not used as core) - 4 Credits
- ACCAD 7893 Interdisciplinary Creative Research Seminar
*Required for Direct-Enroll PhD students during first offering available.
** Additional hours may be needed for Direct-Enroll PhD students in order to have appropriate preparation for candidacy as well as required total degree hours.
ELECTIVES OUTSIDE DANCE (6+ credit hours)**
May include courses that are part of a Graduate Minor, Graduate Certificate, or Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization.
** Additional hours may be needed for Direct-Enroll PhD students in order to have appropriate preparation for candidacy as well as required total degree hours.
EXAMS AND DISSERTATION (9+ credit hours)
- 8200 Qualifying Examination - 1 Credit
- 8800 PhD Pre-Candidacy Independent Readings
- 8998 Candidacy Exams***
- 8999 Dissertation ****
***Includes Prospectus writing post-candidacy and may include required 1) Dissertation Prospectus workshop (AU)
****Includes Dissertation writing as well as required 1) Dissertation Prospectus workshop (AU) if not taken as part of 8998, 2) Gathering Materials (SP), 3) Writing Your Chapters and Responding to Feedback (SP), and 4) Revising and Editing the Dissertation (AU) workshops, which are repeatable as desired.