Master of Fine Arts in Dance

About the program

Our 60-hour Master of Fine Arts program is in many ways a centerpiece of the School of Dance. Students in the program develop and clarify their choreographic voices and deepen their understanding of dance making as a cultural and social process through guided choreographic research. The MFA is normally completed over three years and culminates in a project designed and carried out by the student with the support of faculty. Some students work with our technical director in producing a shared MFA concert in our theater, while others choose off-campus venues such Greensboro Project Space or site-specific locations.

Our students work with faculty members who are active artists and scholars, and who mentor student engagement in the dance professions, as well as guiding their work in the School of Dance. We offer an exceptionally strong mentorship program in teaching, including mentoring students as they teach their own courses as instructors of record in the School of Dance, such as dance appreciation, introduction to dance, ballet, contemporary dance, global forms, tap dance, hip hop, and jazz for musical theater. We prepare students for lifelong learning in dance, integrating dance practice and critical inquiry, and engaging in dance as a means of enacting positive change in themselves and their communities. The MFA in Dance is a terminal degree that prepares students for careers as faculty in higher education. Students with an interest in teaching in public schools may add K-12 Licensure, and they may also add our Pilates certificate.

School of Dance Graduate Handbook

School of Dance Graduate Handbook (.PDF format, 633 KB)

Curriculum

View the Graduate Catalog for this program’s curriculum.

Visit our Advising page for links to the Plan of Study sheet for this program.