Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) Program in Dance

The Conservatory of Dance is one of only a handful of colleges in the world capable of preparing you for the rigors of the professional dance world. The individual attention of the faculty, the superb facilities, the proximity to New York City, and the intriguing balance of artists in the B.F.A. and M.F.A. programs in theatre design/stage technology, music, and the visual arts provide a stimulating atmosphere for the mature student.

The M.F.A. program in dance is a rigorous 60-credit course of study that offers conservatory training in the master-apprentice tradition. The program contains two closely allied and interrelated tracks: choreography and performance/teaching. Throughout this two-year professional training program, the candidate will research and develop a strong sense of personal artistic identity as a performing artist or choreographer.

A central component and driving force of both curricula is the choreology sequence of courses. This holistic examination of choreography as a branch of knowledge or field of research—exploring the related history, design, music, theatre, and visual arts and the social and political pressures through which specific masterworks emerged—will inform the choreographer and performer. In context with this study, students in both tracks will present their choreography or perform each semester.

M.F.A. students have their own “office” in the Dance Building, fully equipped with computers, video and sound playback, and a graduate seminar/studio room. Their performances are presented in the Dance Theatre Lab in the Dance Building or in the Performing Arts Center on campus. In class, out of class, and all over campus, you will discover virtually limitless opportunities to interact with actors, musicians, and others pursuing their graduate degrees.

Assistantships

The Conservatory of Dance awards rehearsal, administrative, or teaching assistantships to help defray the cost of tuition and other expenses.