Dance

The Dance program at the University of California offers a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum designed to cultivate students' artistic, technical, and academic understanding of dance as an art form and cultural practice. Students have the opportunity to explore various dance techniques, including ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, and world dance styles, through rigorous coursework and practical training. The program emphasizes both performance and scholarly engagement, encouraging students to develop their own creative voice while gaining a solid foundation in dance history, choreography, and theory. Faculty comprised of accomplished dancers and scholars provide mentorship and instruction rooted in diverse perspectives and innovative approaches. Alongside rigorous studio work, students are given opportunities to participate in workshops, master classes, and collaborative projects that foster ensemble work and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program also incorporates technological tools and digital media to enhance choreography and performance documentation. Students are expected to engage in critical analysis of dance as a social and cultural phenomenon, fostering an understanding of its impact across different communities and historical contexts. The university supports a vibrant dance community through performances, dance festivals, and outreach programs, encouraging students to present their work to public audiences and gain professional experience. Career development resources are available to prepare students for careers in dance performance, choreography, teaching, arts administration, and research. The program aims to produce well-rounded dance artists who are technically proficient, artistically inventive, and critically aware, capable of contributing meaningfully to the field of dance both locally and globally.

By the end of their first year, students will choose their area of study for their thesis. Students who wish to produce a choreographic thesis must apply to the graduate choreography advisor during winter of their first year. The faculty will review the applications and will consider the quality of the student’s work in Dance 261, as well as the choreographic proposal, in making their selection.

Requirements

• Applicants for admission to the M.F.A. in Dance must meet the general requirements for admission to graduate studies and hold a B.A. or B.F.A. in Dance or the equivalent. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) is required. Admission to the Dance MFA is for Fall quarter only.
• An audition in ballet and modern dance technique is required and is held in Winter quarter. At this audition, applicants also present a three minute work of their own choreography, which may be a solo performed by the applicant or a video of the applicant's choreography. Interviews with faculty are conducted following the audition, and applicants are given a short writing exercise. Applicants must complete and submit the online Audition Reservation Form.
• The department prefers that applicants attend the on-campus audition. However, if this is not possible, the applicant may apply by video. If you are applying by video, you must follow the "Guidelines for Submitting an Audition by DVD", contained in the Dance Graduate Admission Packet.
• All applicants must complete the Teaching Assistant Application Form contained within the Dance Graduate Admission Packet.
• International applicants should consult the Important Information for International Applicants to the MFA in Dance. This explains the English Language Proficiency requirements in order to be considered for admission to UCI. To be considered for Fellowships and Teaching Assistantships, candidates must meet the January 6th application deadline.
• All documents, including transcripts and letters of reference, must be received by January 6th.
• Applicants whose primary language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English for admission consideration. The department prefers that the applicant take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based Test (iBT), if it is available where you live.

Scholarships

• Fellowships or Grants
• Teaching or Research Assistantships 
• Need-based Financial Aid
• Personal Resources 

The University of California offers comprehensive programs in Dance that encompass various aspects of this dynamic art form, combining rigorous academic coursework with practical performance opportunities. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in dance techniques, choreography, dance history, and theory, fostering both technical mastery and creative expression. Students can explore multiple styles, including ballet, modern dance, jazz, and contemporary dance, allowing for a well-rounded dance education. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking and artistic innovation, preparing graduates for diverse careers in performance, teaching, choreography, and dance production.

Faculty members are experienced professionals and scholars dedicated to mentoring students and promoting excellence in dance. Facilities equipped with state-of-the-art studios, rehearsal spaces, and performance venues enable students to practice and showcase their work in professional environments. The program also encourages engagement with wider arts communities through collaborations, internships, and performances, which enrich students’ learning experiences and professional networks.

Students enrolled in the Dance program have opportunities to participate in student-led productions, participate in workshops, and attend master classes led by renowned choreographers and dancers. Research and scholarly activities are supported through lectures, seminars, and access to dance archives and libraries, fostering an environment of academic inquiry and artistic growth. Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers in dance companies, education, arts administration, and media.

The university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in its recruitment of a broad spectrum of students and faculty, creating a vibrant, multicultural community that values different dance traditions and innovative approaches. The program is suitable for students passionate about dance as an art form and those seeking a broad-based education that combines performance, academic inquiry, and professional development opportunities. With its balance of practical training and scholarly perspective, the Dance program at the University of California prepares students for impactful careers in the arts and contributes to the ongoing evolution of dance as a vital cultural expression.