The program is designed for full-time dance educators teaching a diverse population of public school students. At least one year of full-time teaching experience with K-12 students is very strongly recommended before beginning the program. Many course assignments require teaching public school students (or similar populations). The program is not appropriate for those teaching only in typical commercial or professional studios.

Students who already hold an initial North Carolina teaching license in Dance (Standard Professional I) may choose to earn the advanced M license along with the degree. This option is not available for those students who do not already hold the initial license.

The program of study leading to the MA in Dance Education rests on an assumption that experienced teachers working at the graduate level already possess significant knowledge and skill; the program is designed for students who are able to function well as independent learners within a supportive community. Most of the courses involve substantive reading and challenging assignments on which students work over a period of time, receiving extensive feedback from instructors. Peer collaboration and dialogue are built into every course.
 Peer collaboration using interactive media platforms such as Canvas and Google Chat/Hangouts is essential for assignment completion and staying connected to faculty and peers. The instructors see themselves as facilitators of student learning rather than delivery-persons for content information.

Most students in the MA in Dance Education are full-time dance educators in schools, taking one graduate course each semester and one or two courses during the summer, over a three-year period. The minimum time required to complete the degree is three years. The Graduate School allows five years to complete a master’s degree.

All MA DE courses are taught either in the summer or online; most are currently available only in a three-year rotation. The elective courses may be taken at UNCG or another institution. (Students may transfer in up to 12 credits from an accredited institution, with approval.) MA DE students complete courses on UNCG’s campus in the summer for approximately two weeks, beginning in mid-June.

During the normal school year, students should expect to spend approximately 12 hours per week in completing assignments for one 3-credit online graduate course; this includes a substantial amount of time reading and in front of a computer. Those employed full-time who have other significant responsibilities should consider whether their schedules allow for such a commitment. A number of the courses involve developing lesson/unit plans and working with one’s own students in a dance education setting.

Admission requirements official transcripts demonstrating coursework from an accredited institution demonstrating proficiency in the following:

• evidence of experience in improvisation and choreography
• evidence of progressive dance technique training to at least the intermediate level in any dance style
• evidence of coursework in at least one dance history class at least one dance history with an emphasis on global dance forms and/or contemporary dance
• evidence of dance production experience
• evidence of coursework in at least one class in applied anatomy, kinesiology, or injury prevention

We admit students in even-numbered years only. To facilitate building a supportive community of peers, we admit students into the program only at the beginning of a face-to-face summer course. These require at least two weeks of residence on campus. The next MA DE cohort begins Summer 2024.

The MA in Dance Education accepts applications for program entry in every other summer in even summers. Applications for Summer 2024 MA in Dance Education program entry April 1, 2024.

Like other programs in the School of Dance, the MA in Dance Education has limited enrollments, and the selection process is competitive. MA DE Applications must include a personal statement, evidence of teaching curricula and video for young teaching, academic transcripts, and three letters of recommendation, including at least one academic reference. No GRE is required.

All applications and supplementary materials are submitted through the SLATE application system in the UNCG Graduate school.

For admission, faculty consider the following:

•  your ability to write and think as evidenced by your application materials in your personal statement
•  your ability to demonstrate instruction and skillful planning in dance as evidenced by your teaching sample video;
• your undergraduate GPA
• the quality of your letters of reference.

There are two different paths to earning this degree: 

(Option 1) MA in Dance Education without licensure: 36 graduate credits required. All courses are 3 credits except as indicated.

• DCE 614 New Media and Technology in Dance Education 3
• DCE 646 *Reflective Practice in P-12 Dance Education 3
• DCE 651 Choreographic Practice  3
• DCE 654 *P-12 Dance Education: Technique and Performance 1-3
• DCE 655 *P-12 Dance Education: Choreography 1-3
• DCE 656 *P-12 Dance Education: Critical Thinking/Literacy 1-3
• DCE 660 *Issues in Planning the Dance Curriculum 3
• DCE 662 Practicum in Teaching Dance  3
• DCE 667 The Dancer’s Body 3
• DCE 676 Problems Seminar 3
• DCE 698  *Field Project in Dance 6 

* indicates online course. 

Additional requirement in Technique: 4 credits undergraduate technique at an accredited University or equivalent documented study at a professional studio. 

PLUS: Electives in Dance, Education or related area (approved by advisor) (9) 

(Option 2) MA in Dance Education with M (advanced) licensure (only for students who hold the North Carolina Standard Professional I license in Dance): 36 graduate credits required. 

All courses are 3 credits except as indicated

• DCE 614 New Media and Technology in Dance Education 3
• DCE 646 Reflective Practice in P-12 Dance Education 3
• DCE 651 Choreographic Practice  3
• DCE 654 P-12 Dance Education: Technique and Performance 1-3
• DCE 655 P-12 Dance Education: Choreography 1-3
• DCE 656 P-12 Dance Education: Critical Thinking/Literacy 1-3
• DCE 660 Issues in Planning the Dance Curriculum 3
• DCE 662 Practicum in Teaching Dance  3
• DCE 667 The Dancer’s Body 3
• DCE 676 Problems Seminar 3
• DCE 693 Portfolio in K-12 Dance Education 6 

* indicates online course. 

Additional requirement in Technique: 4 credits undergraduate technique at an accredited University or equivalent documented study at a professional studio. 

PLUS: Electives in Dance Education, Teacher Leadership, Educational Assessment (approved by advisor).

Contact the coordinator of the program, Dr. Mila Parrish, [email protected].

Admission requirements official transcripts demonstrating coursework from an accredited institution demonstrating proficiency or professional job experience in the following:

• evidence of experience in improvisation and choreography
• evidence of progressive dance technique training to at least the intermediate level in any dance style
• evidence of coursework in at least one dance history class with an emphasis on global dance forms and/or contemporary dance
• evidence of dance production experience
• evidence of coursework in at least one class in applied anatomy, kinesiology or injury prevention

Applications must include a statement of interest, a detailed lesson plan including assessment methods, academic transcripts, and three letters of recommendation, including at least one academic reference. No GRE is required.

Applications for Summer 2024 program entry are due on April 1, 2024.