DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE
DANCE PROGRAM
Course Descriptions
Master of Fine Arts
This degree is structured to meet two objectives: (1) to offer advanced preparation of the dance artist by providing intensive studio training, choreographic and performance opportunities and (2) to provide the developing artist with a philosophical, theoretical, and research orientation to dance as an art form.
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the Master of Fine Arts program offered by the Dance Program must submit the Graduate Studies Application for Admission with the onetime application fee to the Office of Graduate Studies, official transcripts of all college- level work (including the transcript that shows the date the undergraduate degree was conferred), and official GRE scores. Dance Program admissions requirements are as follows:
- A bachelor’s degree in Dance, or a demonstrated equivalent level of achievement.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate Dance courses.
- Submission of a videotaped portfolio of choreographed works for evaluation by the graduate review committee.
- Submission of official GRE scores.
- Demonstrate through audition (to be undertaken no more than one year prior to the commencement of study) quality performance and understanding which is acceptable to the graduate review committee.
- A final admissions decision is based upon an aggregate evaluation of all application components. No specific weight is assigned to any one factor.
Specific Requirements
MFA Graduate Committee. A Master of Fine Arts Graduate Committee in Dance is composed of three members of the Department of Theatre and Dance graduate faculty and is selected by the student before he/she completes 12 hours. This selection will be done in consultation and with the approval of the graduate advisor.
Transfer Credit. Up to 6 hours of graduate credit may be transferred toward the Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance. However, the MFA Graduate Committee reserves the right to refuse graduate credit from another institution or from Sam Houston State University for any courses not done specifically under the direction of the Dance MFA Graduate Committee.
Period of Study Required. The Master of Fine Arts degree requires a minimum of 48 semester credit hours. A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained. The MFA candidate is expected to maintain continuous physical training in ballet and modern technique classes during the time he/she is enrolled. Requirements of the degree must be completed within six years of the beginning of study.
Minimum MFA Course Requirements
36 hours core curriculum in Dance
6 hours thesis
9 hours electives in Dance
9 hours electives in related fields
60 hours total
All candidates must achieve advanced placement in dance technique classes to be recommended for the Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance. No more than six hours of graduate credit in dance technique may be earned in less than the advanced placement level.
Other Scholarly Requirements
A thesis is required of all MFA candidates. The thesis will be a formal concert of the student’s works, accompanied by a supporting paper. The works will consist of either the student’s performance, creative work, or reconstructed repertory. The graduate committee must approve the proposed content and extent of the thesis prior to the presentation of the thesis performance. The written paper must comply with the specifications for the written thesis, which are available through the Office of the Dean, College of Arts and Sciences. A record of the performance, either in film, videotape, or notated form, must be included as part of the candidate’s accompanying paper.
The student must also pass an oral examination testing general knowledge of dance concepts, philosophy, and traditions as they relate to his/her thesis work. The oral examination will be conducted by the candidate’s graduate committee and selected members of the faculty of the Department of Theatre and Dance and the dean’s representative. Students must be enrolled during the semester in which they take oral examinations. After all coursework has been satisfactorily completed, the oral examination has been passed and the thesis performance and supporting paper have been approved by the graduate committee, the candidate is recommended for the Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance. The candidate must supply a record of the thesis, which will be permanently retained by the University.
Senior Courses Open to Graduate Students
DNC 472 Dance Criticism and Analysis (Credit 3)
DNC 474 Dance Pedagogy (Credit 3)
DNC 476 Choreography III (Credit 3)
DNC 492 Seminar in Dance (Credit 3)
DNC 493 Independent Study (Credit 3)
A maximum of six hours of 400-level courses may be taken toward the completion of the master's degree. Course requirements in 400-level courses will be appropriately modified for graduate credit.