Dance, M.F.A.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program graduates will have the ability to:

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

Prerequisites

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

Application Requirements

1. A CSULB post-baccalaureate 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 (visit CSULB Department of Dance website for further explanation):
   1. Cover letter that indicates to which degree the applicant is applying and addresses how applicant has met the minimum prerequisites for the program by noting courses taken and/or professional experience that meets the prerequisites;
   2. Resume or curriculum vitae that includes employment, education, dance training, performance, and choerography with a clear indication of relevant dates;
   3. 3 letters of reference submitted from the writers;
   4. A 1 to 2 page statement that provides the following informations: links to 2 original choreographic works (at least one group work of 3 or more people) created by the applicant and posted to either Vimeo or YouTube and a concise discussion of each work’s the intent, process and goals, names of performers (including applicants, if performing), and producation credits (titles, composers/music, lighting, etc.);
   5. 2-page, double-spaced, statement of purpose addressing how applicant’s professional goals will be met through this plan of study. This statement should include the applicant’s current artistic vision and where the appliacnt would like to see expansion in their creative practice, and their previous work in the field. 
3. Audition on the CSULB campus to include a warm-up and, composition/improvisation session, presentation of a 3-5 minute self-choreographed solo demonstrating technical proficiency and choreographic skill, and an interview with Department faculty. Applicants who are invited to audition will be asked to submit a teaching sample for a movement class via video prior to the audition. 
4. At the audition, invited applicants will be asked to perform a 3.5 minute solo that demostrates the applicant’s choreographic skill and technical proficiency in a dance form of their choosing. 
5. An interview with Department faculty.
6. 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 a graduate concert;
4. Evaluation by graduate faculty of the candidate’s satisfactory progress toward the degree;
5. Removal of any incomplete grades.

Choreography Concentration