Dance (MFA)

Graduate Admission
To apply for admission for the graduate program, the candidate must have extensive dance training, hold an undergraduate degree in dance and meet the minimum requirements of the UA Graduate College.

1.  M.F.A. candidates must apply to the University of Arizona prior to auditioning for the School of Dance.
(https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/procedures/apply-now/)

Within that online application are directions for submitting your three letters of recommendation, undergraduate transcripts, and Statement of Purpose.

2.  Prior to auditioning, the School of Dance office must also receive the following application materials via mail or email:

• Curriculum Vitae (comprehensive resume)
• Online link of recent creative work (performance/choreography)

Submit via email to Tammy Dyke-Compton, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies: [email protected]

3.  An online audition is required that includes performance and teaching components, and an interview with faculty. Candidates will be invited to audition once the application, CV, and links to creative work have been received.

Graduate Admission Status

Once your application to the Graduate College has been processed, the School of Dance will review all application materials and consider an on-campus audition/interview. Since nearly all applicants have previously earned a B.F.A. degree in Dance, we do not encourage any applicant to apply without having already completed all prerequisites. A 2-3 year hiatus is also recommended between completion of a BFA and entering the MFA program to demonstrate self-motivated professional activity.

a.  Students will be admitted to enter graduate studies who meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate College and the School of Dance including:

                i.   Demonstrated advanced level in technique in ballet, modern dance, or jazz dance.

                ii.  Have completed at least one year of dance composition, achieving a grade of “B” or higher; or   at least two professional   compositions that have been publicly presented.

                iii.  Have completed at least one year of Dance or Drama Theatre Production, achieving a grade of “B” or higher; or at least 2 years of professional experience.

                iv.   Have completed at least one course each in:

                         1.  Music history/literature, music for dance, or two years of applied music study.

                         2.  Anatomy for Dance; Kinesiology; or Biomechanics.

                         3.  Aesthetics of dance or the arts, or in dance ethnology/anthropology.

                         4.  Dance History

b.  All students applying for admission to the program of study must also meet qualitative standards determined by the dance faculty including:

                i.  Review of three confidential letters of recommendation

                ii.  Review of the applicant's performance or choreographic work

                iii.  Review of the student's written Statement of Purpose

                iv.  On-site audition, with personal interview

c.  Criteria for admission to the program of study are based on the quantitative and qualitative requirements listed above, and admission will be determined according to:

                i.  Each student's demonstrated expertise in performance or choreography

                ii.  Evidence of self-motivated professional experience in the field

                iii. Potential for successful completion of the degree at the University of Arizona

                iv. Personal maturity, independence and academic and artistic integrity

                v. THE GRE IS NOT REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION  

In conjunction with the Director of Graduate Studies, each student is responsible for developing a written Plan of Study. This plan is to be filed with the Graduate College during the penultimate semester in residence.

Students must complete 60 units of graduate level courses. The specific Dance Graduate Curriculum for the M.F.A. in Dance is designed with the option in either Choreography and/or Performance.

Graduate Financial Aid and Scholarships
Only after acceptance can the School of Dance offer graduate support in the form of Teaching Assistantships which include an out-of-state tuition waiver, as well as the possibility of Graduate Tuition Scholarships and/or Graduate College Fellowship Awards.

Important Online Links:

https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/procedures/apply-now/

http://dance.arizona.edu/

English Proficiency Requirements for International Applicants:

Please see the following link for approved options that will meet this requirement. The School of Dance will be requesting scores rather than requiring a specific test option.

https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants#english-proficiency.

Required test(s): No Tests Required for Admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Dance.
 

Please refer to Admissions Requirements

Graduate Financial Aid and Scholarships
Only after acceptance can the School of Dance offer graduate support in the form of Teaching Assistantships which include an out-of-state tuition waiver, as well as the possibility of Graduate Tuition Scholarships and/or Graduate College Fellowship Awards.

Domestic Applicants:

• Fall: May 1
• Spring: December 1

International Applicants:

• Fall: May 1
• Spring: December 1

International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion.