MFA

The emphasis of the MFA in dance at Florida State University is choreography and performance, complemented by scholarly studies in dance history, theory, and research methods. It is designed both for recent dance graduates and for practicing dance professionals who wish to deepen the artistic and intellectual scope of their education. Students who are designated “returning professionals” by the FSU faculty have significant latitude in shaping their MFA degree requirements.

For each candidate, the program culminates in a fully produced graduate thesis concert in the Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre—a concert for which the student, working with a partner, plans and executes all aspects, from advertising to house management, from choreographic program to technical design.

Admissions / Program Requirements

University Admission

In addition to School of Dance admission, a student must also apply to and be accepted by the Office of Graduate Studies at Florida State University. It is crucial to proceed with university admission as quickly as possible. Please apply on-line at admissions.fsu.edu/gradapp/ or contact the University Admissions Office (850/644-3420) for more information. It is risky to wait to apply for FSU admission until after auditioning for the School of Dance. The university application deadline for fall admission has been as early as January.
FSU Office of Graduate Studies

Previous Degree Requirements

MFA dance applicants must have completed an undergraduate major in dance or have obtained an equivalent level of achievement. The school requires evidence of an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited/approved institution. The student’s ability to pursue graduate study will be assessed during the initial entrance audition and continuously throughout the program.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The GRE is not required for admission for those qualifying with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Any applicant without the GPA requirement must achieve a minimum score of 1,000 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE.

Audition

A formal audition is required for admission into the MFA program. Students must register for one of the scheduled auditions held each year. Audition slots tend to fill quickly, so do not delay.
Audition Information

Writing Samples

The School of Dance requires two writing samples of MFA candidates. These samples help faculty design the appropriate program of study and determine what remedial work, if any, is needed.

One sample of a previously written research paper should be mailed to the school by the application deadline on the MFA audition information sheet. This sample does not have to relate to dance.
The second sample will be written during the first day of the audition.

Placement and Proficiency

On entrance into the program, all MFA students are assigned an appropriate placement, or technique level, in ballet and in contemporary dance. At the end of a studio technique course, students must demonstrate the necessary technical progress to enroll at the next level; otherwise, they re-enroll at the same level. These specific proficiency requirements apply:

The MFA student is expected to achieve the high intermediate level (level II) in both ballet and contemporary dance by the end of two full semesters of work. (An abbreviated summer session is not applicable to this requirement.)
To graduate, the student must achieve the following proficiency by one semester prior to graduation:
• Ballet III level and Contemporary Dance II level, or
• Contemporary Dance III level and Ballet II level.
Certain options in the technique component may be appropriate when the student achieves the proficiency levels for graduation. These options are determined by faculty in consultation with the candidate; must be requested by the candidate in writing; and must be approved by the Assessment Committee. Returning professionals have flexibility in technique requirements, to be determined with faculty.

Dance Forum

The school schedules a series of lectures and films throughout the academic year. Because an understanding of ballet and contemporary dance is increased by an appreciation of their history, theory, and repertory, the series is a part of required technique coursework for graduate students. Attendance is reflected through their ballet and contemporary dance course evaluation.

Research Component in Dance History

MFA candidates are required to take three semesters of Dance History and Theory courses. In their first semester, they enroll in the Seminar in Dance History and Research, DAN 5191. They take two additional history courses, in consultation with the academic advisor, from the variety of offerings in the school. History courses require research and writing projects.
MFA Concert—Creative Thesis in Performance and/or Choreography

The candidate’s culminating project is the production of a concert, in partnership with one or two other candidates. The School assigns concert dates and partners. Two faculty members serve as concert mentors and are designated by mutual agreement of the students, the MFA program director, and the mentors. Candidates will receive detailed procedures for accomplishing this creative thesis, which also includes a post-concert conference with faculty and production staff.

Comprehensive Examination
The required comprehensive examination consists of two parts, written and oral. It is scheduled no earlier than the term in which the student is completing all required coursework. The student must enroll in DAN 8966 for the term in which the exam is taken.

Curriculum | Requirements

Please note:
Course names, numbers, and requirements are subject to change.
Semester hours for each course are shown in parentheses.
I. Dance Technique (22–24 hours)
DAA 5118 (3) – Contemporary Dance
DAA 5218 (3) – Ballet
Both ballet and contemporary dance are taken four days each week throughout enrollment.
II. Dance History and Theory (9 hours)
Dan 5191 (3) – Seminar in Dance History and Research (fall semester)
2 additional dance history courses (6)
III. Other Required Dance Courses (15 hours)
DAA 5618 (3) – Choreography (fall semester)
DAA 5648 (3) – Choreographic Project (spring semester; prerequisite: DAA 5618)
DAN 5158 (3) – Performance and Directing (fall semester)
DAN 5190 (3) – Theory and Practice of Technique (offered spring semester, every other year)
DAN 5510 (3) – Visual Design for Choreography (offered spring semester, every other year)
IV. Electives (6–8 hours)
V. Creative Thesis/MFA Concert (6 hours)DAN 5972 (6)
DAN 5972 (6)
VI. Master’s Comprehensive Examination (0 hours)
DAN 5960 (0)
Note: The total for graduation is a minimum of 60 semester hours. A minimum of 65% (39 hours) must be in the areas of technique, choreography, or performance. This is particularly relevant to the selection of electives and the exercise of options in the technique component of the program. Courses applicable to the 39-hour minimum requirement are Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Dance Ensemble, Dance Performance, Choreography, Choreographic Project, Theory and Practice of Technique, Theory of Dance, Performance and Directing, Creative Thesis, and appropriate electives.

MFA | Application Checklist

Submit application for admission to Florida State University, which requires:
- Graduate Record Exam scores (for those applicants lacking a 3.0 GPA)
- All college transcripts
Submit Dance Major Audition Form by deadline given
Needed materials:
- Writing sample submitted with audition form (previously written re search paper)
- 2-minute original solo prepared for audition (may bring CD for music)
Receive confirmation letter for audition registration from School of Dance before attending audition. Bring the letter to the audition. (If you have not received a letter one week before an audition date, contact us by calling us at 850.644.1023)
Obtain appropriate dancewear for audition.
Financial Aid (optional): Submit application for Graduate Apprenticeship-Assistantship Program. Arrange for the following to be sent to the School of Dance:
- Three letters of recommendation

Graduate Financial Aid

Graduate Assistantships: These are available to qualified students and often combines teaching and research or a combination of different work responsibilities. When applying, it is important to include as much information as possible about special abilities, interests, and experience.

Teaching Assistantships: To be eligible for an assistantship in technique (ballet or contemporary dance), the student must first successfully complete the apprenticeship program (see below).
Research Assistantships: These involve work in specialized areas such as costumes, publicity, production, etc. Applicants must demonstrate ability in their chosen area.

Apprenticeship Program: Candidates for apprenticeships must have achieved the most advanced level in the technique they wish to teach. Their work at this level will be assessed for at least one semester. During the same term, the candidate will observe a minimum of ten nonmajor technique classes and will teach three nonmajor classes, which faculty members will observe and assess. After successfully completing this apprenticeship, the student is eligible for consideration as a teaching assistant. Candidates designated as returning professionals by the graduate faculty are exempt from the apprenticeship requirement.
How to Apply for Aid: Complete and return the MFA / MA graduate apprenticeship / assistantship application form.
MFA Graduate Assistantship - Apprenticeship Form

For more information, contact:

MFA in Dance and MA-in Dance Studio candidates
Patricia Phillips
MFA Program Director
School of Dance
P.O. Box 3062120
Florida State University
Tallahassee FL 32306-2120
pphillip@mailer.fsu.edu
850.644.9963