MA Studio and Related Studies

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

The master of arts degree candidate with a major in studio and related studies must have completed an undergraduate major in dance or must demonstrate an equivalent level of achievement. Admission into the graduate dance program is determined on the basis of the candidate’s audition, interview and writing samples. 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)

If a 3.0 GPA has been attained, the GRE is not required for admission. Any applicant without the GPA requirement must achieve a minimum score of 1,000 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE. Plan to take the GRE before your first semester.

Audition

A formal audition is required for admission into the MA 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 MA candidates. These samples help faculty design the appropriate program of study and determine what remedial work, if any, is needed.

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

Placement and Proficiency

On entrance into the program, all MA 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 student’s progress is assessed continuously throughout the graduate program. Specific assessment occurs at the end of the first year of graduate study. A probationary period may be established if a student is having difficulty and needs special attention. A student who cannot meet the school proficiency standards will be discontinued from the dance major program. The amount of work required, in addition to the minimum dance curricular requirements and the minimum University-wide requirements, depends upon the student’s undergraduate preparation and level of achievement. MA in Dance with a major in Studio and Related Studies candidates must achieve at least an intermediate proficiency level in either ballet or contemporary dance technique to graduate.

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.

Program of Studies

Candidates must complete thirty-six (36) semester hours of graduate level course requirements. At least twenty-one (21) of these credits must be fulfilled by the required courses listed in Curriculum Requirements. The remaining fifteen (15) semester hours may be fulfilled by elective courses in one or more studio related courses listed in Curriculum Requirements. Elective courses must be approved by the student’s advisor.

Students are required to investigate possibilities for elective courses which relate to their areas of interest, deepen their understanding of dance studio studies, and provide a significant investigation into one or more related areas of study which will impact their particular contribution to the field of dance upon graduation.

MA Capstone Project Requirement

The candidate must develop an appropriate capstone experience that substantively synthesizes his/her unique curricular experience. The capstone project must meet the approval of the graduate advisor and the graduate faculty mentoring the candidates individual program. Capstone credits may range from 2 to 4 semester hours.

Normative time for completion of the degree is four semesters.

Curriculum | Requirements

Please note:

-Course names, numbers, and requirements are subject to change.

-Semester hours for each course are shown in parentheses.

I. Core Program (21 hours)

DAN 5118 and/or DAA 5118 (11) – Ballet and/or Contemporary

DAN 5191 (3) – Seminar: Studies in Dance History and Research

DAN 5618 (3) – Choreography

DAN 5648 (2) – Choreographic Project

DAN 5804 (2-3) – Directed Individual Studies

DAN 0000 (2-4) – Capstone Experience

II. Electives (15 hours)

Possible Elective Courses Include:

DAA 5118 (1-3) – Graduate Contemporary Dance, Repeatable up to 18 hrs

DAA 5218 (1-3) – Graduate Ballet, Repeatable up to 18 hrs

DAA 5688 (1) – Dance Ensemble, Repeatable up to 3 hrs

DAA 5698 (1-2) – Dance Performance Repeatable up to 10 hrs

DAN 5158 (3) – Theory of Dance Performance & Directing.

DAE 5980 (2) – Supervised Teaching, Max. of 3 credits may apply to masterís degree

DAN 5190 (3) – Theory & Practice in Dance Technique (3)

DAN 5910 (2) – Supervised Research, Max of 3 credits may apply to masterís degree

DAN 5930 (2-3) – Special Topics, Repeatable up to 9 hrs

DAN 5905 (2-3) – Directed Individual Study, Repeatable up to 12 hrs

DAN 5510 (3) – Visual Design for Choreography

DAA 5618 (3) – Choreography

DAA 5648 (2-6) – Choreographic Project, Repeatable to 10 hrs

DAN 5158 (3) – Theory of Dance Performance & Directing

DAA 5950 (3) – New York City: Arts and Resources as the Art Event, Repeatable to 6 hrs

DAN 5147 (3) – History of American Dance I

DAN 5148 (3) – History of American Dance II

DAN 5149 (3) – History of American Dance III

DAN 5128 (3) – Theory of Dance

DAN 5191 (3) – Seminar Studies in Dance History and Research (3) Repeatable to 6 hrs

DAN 5192 (3) – Dancing in the Movies

DAN 5193 (3) – History of African American Social Dance of the Twentieth Century

Arts in Community Practice Certificate (12) - A cross disciplinary certificate. Graduate coursework available in 3 areas of Social Work, Dance, and Art Education/Art Therapy.

MA in Studio and Related Studies | 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

Needed materials:

- Writing sample submitted with audition form (previously written research 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 850-644-1023.)

Obtain appropriate dancewear for audition. (See MA audition information sheet. Also available online)

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: Download, complete and return the MFA / MA graduate apprenticeship / assistantship application form.

MFA - MA 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