Dance

The MFA degree in Dance serves working dance artists with a minimum of 5 years experience in the field who want to expand their range by integrating a variety of new artistic and dance studies fields. Students engage with advanced technical training in a variety of movement methods, including contemporary, classical, and somatic practices, and apply those skills in staged performances.

Our MFA degree curriculum emphasizes both theory and practical coursework in an effort to expand the student’s creative research using cross- and interdisciplinary methods. The degree provides opportunities for dance artists to engage with and learn about critical pedagogy, and work toward a faculty position in higher education. In each artistic, theoretical, and pedagogical learning environment, students are mentored by our faculty to become leaders in and advocates for the dance field.

DEGREE PROGRAM GOALS

The six degree program goals below detail departmental expectations for graduate level scholastic growth in the areas of performance, creativity, dance studies, pedagogy, cross- and interdisciplinary research, and leadership in the field.

Performance

• Refine conservatory training in contemporary, classical, and somatic techniques to cultivate greater interpretive skills for professional artistic presentation as well as to give training toward an advanced level of pedagogical demonstration
• Develop multiple performance opportunities including self-produced, faculty, and globally-based guest artist works and opportunities as interpreters for choreographic thesis projects

Creativity

• Acquire comprehensive skills in improvisational and choreographic strategies to strengthen advanced choice-making in the creative process and research
• Develop a praxis of integrated theoretical frameworks and studio projects that develop a range of cross- and interdisciplinary creative processes and research methods

Dance Studies

• Build firm scaffolding of critical thinking and writing skills through theoretical course work
• Establish a comprehensive range of dance studies competencies including philosophy, aesthetics, history, and technology as they intersect with creativity and performance

Pedagogy

• Develop and refine a knowledge and understanding of dance pedagogy that becomes the foundation for excellence in transformative teaching
• Apply historical, cultural and critical pedagogical frameworks to in-studio technical, performance and creative practices
• Acquire advanced competency in creating course materials such as syllabi and multiple forms for assessment supporting pedagogical accountability and reinforcing student self-management and regulation in the classroom

Cross- and Interdisciplinary Creative Research

• Understand and value of both cross- and interdisciplinary modes of research that integrate dance with other artistic, humanities, and/or STEM fields
• Develop and refine theoretical and artistic vocabularies and methods for advanced creative process and research in cross- and interdisciplinary artistic works
• Create a final thesis project that fulfills a mature artistic vision for cutting-edge cross- and interdisciplinary creative work

Leadership in the Field

• Acquire advanced communication skills through a firm foundation of personal assessments that require both oral and written components
• Develop advanced technological literacy through coursework to support transformative teaching and research excellence in chosen areas of study
• Understand the scope of dance as a field with multiple pathways to success toward entering the professional field ready to lead and advocate for a clear set of dance values and beliefs

The MFA curriculum includes sequential scaffolding of coursework with intersecting course content in an effort to  encourage integrated learning. Based on the MFA degree program goals, curriculum areas include:

PERFORMANCE THEORY, METHOD AND PRACTICE

• Graduate Technique
• Somatic Survey
• Graduate Production Study
• Faculty and Guest Artist Repertory
• Thesis Repertory
• Self-produced Repertory

CREATIVE THEORY, METHOD AND PRACTICE

• Creative Process I: Improvisational Strategies
• Creative Process II: Choreographic Strategies
• Creative Research I: Cross- and Interdisciplinary Methods
• Creative Research II: Cross- and Interdisciplinary Methods/Thesis Proposal
• Thesis I: Research
• Thesis II: Production

PEDAGOGY THEORY, METHOD AND PRACTICE

• Dance in Higher Education
• Practicum I
• Practicum II
• Assessment

DANCE STUDIES

• Dance Philosophy and Aesthetics (co-requisite with Creative Process I)
• History of Interdisciplinary (co-requisite with Creative Research I)

LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY

• Proseminar I: Portfolio Development
• Proseminar II: Leadership/Job Search

DANCE ELECTIVES

• Dance and Video
• Advanced Yoga
• Special Topics: Dance Practice
• Special Topics: Creative Practice
• Special Topics: Somatic Practice
• Special Topics: Dance Technology

Additional Arts-based electives available in Mason Gross's Music, Theater, and Visual Arts departments as well as the Rutgers Filmmaking Center, based on availability and by permission of the instructor. As a major public university, Rutgers also offers a vast array of study areas from which to select additional elective courses. Note: The curriculum is subject to change at the discretion of the dance department.

CERTIFICATIONS
MFA degree students may also consider completing additional certification in:

• Yoga
• Polestar Pilates

• Applicants for the MFA in Dance must have an undergraduate BFA or BA degree in dance, or its equivalent, and 5 years of post-undergraduate professional experience in the dance field. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, in an area other than dance, may be considered for the MFA if they have significant professional dance experience.
• $70 application fee
• Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions
• Three letters of recommendation
• Writing sample: your writing sample should include 5-10 double spaced pages of academic writing (published or non-published), journalism (e.g., substantial critique or essay on creative or other work), or other writing genres.
• Five business days after submitting the Rutgers Graduate Application applicants will receive an invitation to complete the Mason Gross Supplemental Application. This is an application/registration for the audition and interview. A series of audition dates, including a recorded audition option, will be displayed for selection. $40 application fee
• Audition / Interview. • Live auditions will include a ballet and modern dance class. Live auditions are highly recommended, however, individuals living more than four hours distance from Rutgers may consider the recorded audition option. If you are approved to submit a recorded audition you will be sent an email with instructions and a link for you to submit your recordings. Recorded auditions should include the following:1. 15 minutes of classical ballet or contemporary SOLO dance class, plus a SOLO world dance form, if appropriate.2. 3-5 minute sampling of SOLO improvisational work
• Choreography Sample. After submitting your Mason Gross supplemental application you will be sent a link to upload your digital portfolio. Your digital portfolio should include samples of 3 selected creative works, limited to 12 minutes maximum including solo, small and large group work (if possible).

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

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Scholarships

All full-time graduate students are eligible to receive some sort of financial aid. The level of support is dependent upon the specific graduate program and degree status. There are three forms of financial assistance to graduate students: merit-based, need-based, and non-need based aid. All students who submit a complete application to Mason Gross are automatically considered for talent or artistic merit based scholarships. However, we highly encourage all domestic students to submit additional applications for financial aid in order to expand their opportunities for funding and more comprehensive packaging.