Dance, M.F.A.

The Master of Fine Arts program in dance offers two emphasis areas in choreography or performance. Students must first complete the online application and then be selected to interview and audition to be considered for admission.

Learning Outcomes

• Movement expertise: achieve professional-level expertise in contemporary movement practices and techniques as a means to advanced, body-based creative research and teaching.
• Creative research: establish individualized creative research trajectories that couple dance theories and practices and foster coherent aesthetic points of view in both scholarly and performative contexts.
• Communication: demonstrate skilled communication through artistic process and product, and through verbal, written, digital, pedagogical, and emerging artistic forms.
• Artistic citizenship: understand and develop the combined artistic, social, and organizational skills of the artist-citizen who, in humane ways, contributes to the local, national, and global dialogues about dance and contemporary culture, and to the evolution of the professional field.
• Career readiness and sustainability: understand the diverse and ever-changing nature of the field of dance and develop the relevant agility to hold significant roles in a sustained, lifelong career.

The Master of Fine Arts program in dance requires a minimum of 60 s.h. of graduate credit. The program is designed to be completed in four to six semesters in residence. Students must maintain a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00.

Students who demonstrate accomplishment in dance performance and/or choreography may apply for admission to the M.F.A. program. Applicants select the choreography or the performance emphasis before they are admitted.

The M.F.A. with a major in dance requires the following coursework.

Dance Core

A total of 26 s.h. of core coursework is required for students in each emphasis area.

Movement Technique

Choreography emphasis students select 8 s.h. and performance emphasis students select 14 s.h. from the following.

Emphasis Courses

Students select courses from their emphasis area below.

Choreography Emphasis

Choreography emphasis students complete 14 s.h. from the following.

Performance Emphasis

Performance emphasis students complete 14 s.h. from the following.

Electives

Choreography emphasis students select 12 s.h. of electives, including one course from the digital performing arts area; performance emphasis students select 6 s.h., including one course from the digital performing arts area.

Digital Performing Arts

Additional Electives

All students should consult their advisor for approval of elective coursework.

Admission is based on a review of submitted choreographic and performance work, letters of recommendation, transcripts, teaching application, statement of purpose, and curriculum vitae. Selected applicants participate in an interview and audition which includes a solo dance, a teaching audition, and when possible, an on-campus visit that includes advanced classes in ballet and contemporary movement practices to determine class placement level.

Demonstrated accomplishment in performance or choreography is a prerequisite for admission to the program. For more information, see Graduate Program on the Department of Dance website.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.

Graduates establish successful, professional careers as professors in higher education and as dance-makers and artistic directors, performers in regional and national companies, writers who contribute to knowledge in the field, and teachers for the next generation of dancers.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Dance, M.F.A.

Choreography Emphasis

a

The program is designed to be completed in four to six semesters in residence.

b

Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.

c

Typically this course is offered every other year. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.

d

Complete a total of 6 s.h. (2 s.h. for each choreography project).

e

Choreography emphasis required course.

f

Complete at least 8 s.h. of movement technique coursework. See the General Catalog for list of approved courses.

g

See the General Catalog for list of approved courses.

h

Complete a total of 2 s.h. (1 s.h. for each performance) to satisfy the choreography emphasis. See the General Catalog for list of approved courses.

i

Complete at least 9 s.h. of electives. Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate coursework and sequence.

j

A minimum total of at least 8 s.h. of thesis credit is required.

k

Thesis defense.