Apr 13, 2025  
2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Dance, M.F.A.


This 60-unit plan of study emphasizes choreographic exploration and production, as well as preparation for teaching careers in higher education. MFA candidates engage in theoretical and practice-based study in preparation for creating a choreographic thesis project produced on the CSULB campus.

The Department of Dance has chosen to keep the MFA degree program small and selective in order to provide adequate resources and teaching opportunities to all students in the degree plan. The Department seeks candidates with a body of choreographic work and a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in the field beyond baccalaureate study. Choreographers of any genre of dance practice are encouraged to apply.

Program Learning Outcomes


Program graduates will:

  1. Craft dances that communicate a declared intention; skills include actualizing concepts, directing and collaborating with performers and contributors, processing feedback, implementing revisions, and ethically/critically considering the role of the work in the contemporary climate.
  2. Produce their own danceworks; students will demonstrate a working knowledge of lighting design, costume design, stage management, technical direction, house management, and/or public relations. Additionally, students will be able to work in collaboration with theater technicians and design professionals.
  3. Articulate effectively in oral and written form their artistic and pedagogical goals/vision/philosophy, positioning them to work in higher education and/or the professional creative field. 
  4. Identify and characterize trends in the contemporary dance canon and articulate and advocate for the role of their work within the field.
  5. Organize and communicate both practical and theoretical dance concepts in diverse pedagogical contexts, using knowledge gained via teaching practicum, internships, and the study of dance science.

Criteria for Admission into the Program


Candidates admitted into this program will be selected on the following criteria:


  1. Meet University admissions requirements;
  2. B.A., B.F.A., or M.A. degree in dance or equivalent with a 3.0 GPA in upper division dance courses;
  3. Professional goals consistent with the plan of study;
  4. Life experiences in the field;
  5. Audition in performance and choreography.

When MFA candidates are missing prerequisites, they will be admitted in a conditional status.


Removal of the conditional admit will occur after the following:

  1. Completion of all prerequisites;
  2. Completion of 20 graduate dance units with a GPA of 3.0;
  3. Approval of Graduate Advisor.

Prerequisites


  1. Intermediate or advanced technique in at least one movement practice;
  2. Three courses in dance composition and/or improvisation or substantial demonstrated training and experience in dance making.
  3. Undergraduate degree in dance or undergraduate degree in any field plus substantial training and experience in the field of dance.
  4. Undergraduate degree with a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher and 3.0 in upper-division dance courses. 

Application Requirements


  1. Complete and submit a CSULB post-baccalaureate/graduate application via Cal State Apply (requires an official transcript and an application fee).
  2. The following submitted as part of the Cal State Apply application (please visit the CSULB Department of Dance website for detailed explanations of application materials):
    1. Cover letter;
    2. Resume or curriculum vitae;
    3. 3 letters of reference submitted from the writers;
    4. A 1-to-2 page choreography statement that provides links to two choreographic works (including one group work) and producation information;
    5. 2-page, double-spaced, statement of purpose addressing how applicant’s professional goals will be met through this plan of study.
  3. An audition on the CSULB campus and an interview with Department faculty.
  4. Applicants invited to audition will be asked to perform a 3-to-5-minute solo that demonstrates the applicant’s choreographic skill and technical proficiency in a dance form of their choosing. 
  5. Applicants who are invited to audition will be asked to submit a teaching sample for a movement class via video prior to the audition. 

Advancement to Candidacy


Advancement to candidacy will occur based on the following:

  1. Unconditional admission status;
  2. Completion of 30 graduate dance units with a GPA of 3.0;
  3. Successful choreography produced in graduate showing(s);
  4. Evaluation by graduate faculty of the candidate’s satisfactory progress toward the degree;
  5. Removal of any incomplete grades.

Choreography Concentration


Take 4 units from the following:


Take 6 units of additional coursework at the 400/500/600 level


Take 6 units of the following: