Graduate Bulletin
Dance, M.F.A.
ESTHER BOYER COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DANCE
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: January 15
[December 15 for international applicants]
The Dance Department must receive all department and university application materials. Attendance at the department audition is required. After acceptance at the Department level, there is a final review of all application materials by the College of Music.
A supplemental application, which is required, can be obtained by emailing danceadm@temple.edu.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from from qualified representatives of the academic or professional communities in dance.
Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:
Prospective students should have an undergraduate degree with a dance major or emphasis, or equivalent professional experience.
An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and a curriculum vitae that details experience in dance, art, education, scholarship, and/or public leadership are required.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:
A baccalaureate degree is required, although it need not be in dance.
Statement of Goals:
A Statement of Goals, 1-2 pages in length, is completed as part of the application package. This is reviewed by the M.F.A. faculty in relation to the audition, choreographic showing, and resume to determine whether there is an appropriate correlation between the student in hopes for graduate school and what the M.F.A. program and faculty can provide. We look for focus and artistic vision, as well as curiosity and openness are sought.
Standardized Test Scores:
The GRE/MAT is required. Scores should be at the 50th percentile or above, whether the GRE or MAT is taken.
Minimum TOEFL score or range of scores needed to be accepted: 575 paper-based, 233 computer-based, or 90 internet-based. Any students admitted with a TOEFL score below 600 on the paper-based, 250 on the computer-based, or 100 on the internet-based examination must pass an English skills course during their first semester at Temple University.
Audition:
An audition includes a technique class with portions taught by several members of the faculty, a presentation of recent choreography, and interviews with two members of the admissions committee.
Interview:
All applicants will be interviewed at the audition.
Resume:
A resume is required.
Transfer Credit:
Graduate credits from an accredited institution may be transferred into a master's program. The M.F.A. Coordinator will make all decisions regarding the transfer of credits with approval from the department chair. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 12.
Test Waivers:
International students can be accepted without attending the audition, if their video and other supporting documents give adequate evidence of excellence.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 60
Required Courses (41 s.h.)
Dance 405 (3) Rhythm: Analysis, Performance and Composition
471 (2) Composition
505 (1) Dancer and the Dance Medium
506 (3) Corporeal Improvisation
512 (1) Dance Productions
515 (2) Producing Dance
521-527 (6) Modern Dance Technique
539 (3) Creative Process
545 (3) Movement Theater Workshop
579 (3) Foundations of Cultural Studies
581 (3) Sound and Movement Partnerships
599 (2) Non-Western Dance Traditions
650 (4) Graduate Dance Composition Choreographic Projects
958 (5) Master's Concert in Dance
Dance Elective Courses (13 s.h.)
Dance Performance Electives (3)
Dance Academic Electives (6)
Dance Electives (4)
Non-Dance Electives (6 s.h.)
Internship: No internship is required.
Language Examination: No language examination is required.
Culminating Events:
Comprehensive Examination:
The comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the student's general knowledge in four major areas: dance history, dance in a cultural context, dance education, and dance science, areas in which are not covered by required courses. An acceptable level would be equivalent to that acquired from taking a single course in each area covered by the exam.
The comprehensive examination consists of two parts. The short answer section gives students the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge in diverse areas. The essay section allows students to use any appropriate references and resources. These questions require critical thinking, analysis, and specificity.
The comprehensive examination is taken before the first semester of study, and must be successfully completed before Master's Concert approval.
Graduate Faculty appropriate to degree (MFA) write the questions.
Evaluation of the examination is followed by advising, where needed, as to specific deficient areas, and recommendations of courses within the graduate dance curriculum that address areas of concern.
The short answer section is taken under supervision, without access to reference materials The essay section is completed over a period of days, and students may use any appropriate references as resources.
Master's Concert:
The concert consists of one major choreographic work designed to demonstrate the candidate's highest achievement of artistry and craft. Sometimes work on the concert is an extension of a choreographic project completed in a Choreographic Projects class. If that is the case, the piece is expected to gain a significantly new dimension to qualify as a Master's Concert piece. A work already completed in a Choreographic Projects class may be part of a Master's Concert but will not serve as the major concert piece. Occasionally, students choose to put their greatest emphasis on performance, rather than choreography, in which case they will be expected to perform in works by several choreographers.
The culminating event of the M.F.A. degree is the Master's Concert. A six credit experience, this is the primary focus of the final semester. Only a small minority of students present a full program of their own work; in most cases the faculty recommends a single "master work," a piece of choreography that represents the culmination of personal aesthetic, pathways of exploration, and areas of acquired skill.
The Master's Concert is evaluated and graded by a Concert Committee of three or four faculty members. The student submits a paper evaluating both the work process and final product, discussing strengths and weaknesses and projections for future work. This paper is distributed to the Concert Committee and a final review meeting is held with the candidate and the Concert Committee for feedback and discussion. The concert is viewed in relation to the original evaluative criteria as stated in the concert proposal, and in relation to the student's own evaluation paper. Individual committee members give specific criticism of every aspect of the concert, with particular emphasis on those areas upon which the student has focused. The final grade is the average of the grades submitted by each member of the Concert Committee.
Contacts
Program Contact Information:
www.temple.edu/music/dance
Department Information:
Dept. of Dance
309 Vivacqua Hall (062-62)
1700 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122-0843
danceadm@temple.edu
215-204-8710
Department Contacts:
Admissions:
Lynne Schaeffer
danceadm@temple.edu
215-204-5169
Program Coordinator:
Merian Soto
merian.soto@temple.edu
215-204-6281
Graduate Chairperson:
Chairperson:
Dr. Luke Kahlich
luke.kahlich@temple.edu
215-204-6260
About the Program
The Department of Dance offers programs of study leading to the Master of Education, Master of Fine Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. All students are expected to develop a command of the discipline of dance, including its modes as a performing art and a medium of inquiry. The department's mission places high value on the role of dance in a pluralistic, multicultural society. The Master of Fine Arts degree program emphasizes an appreciation and comprehension of body movement; sensitivity to personal artistic qualities and sources; mastery of craft; and an awareness of the social, cultural, and historical implications of dance.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years
Campus Location:
Main Campus
Although all of the department courses are offered on Main Campus, students may take 6 to 9 out-of-department credits on another campus.
Campus Location:
Main
Although all of the department courses are offered on the main campus, students may take 6 to 9 out-of-department credits on another campus.
Full-Time/Part-Time Status:
Students are able to complete the degree program through classes offered before 4:30 p.m.
Department Information:
Dept. of Dance
309 Vivacqua Hall (062-62)
1700 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122-0843
danceadm@temple.edu
215-204-8710
Interdisciplinary Study:
The program encourages interdisciplinary coursework, research, and interactions among faculty and students with interests in music, music therapy, education, theater arts, media arts, women's studies, Jewish studies, African American studies, anthropology, history, etc.
Affiliation(s):
Not applicable.
Study Abroad:
No.
Ranking:
The graduate programs are ranked among the top twelve in the nation as determined by the Dance Career Guide. The Doctor of Philosophy program is one out of four programs in the country and the Master of Education program is the only such program in the United States.
Accreditation:
The M.F.A. in Dance is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).
Areas of Specialization:
The M.F.A. Faculty includes internationally known artists, whose work represents a variety of contemporary approaches to choreography. The emphasis of the program is choreography, with a minimum of 23 credits required in areas of choreography. In addition, students have requirements in performance, production, and dance scholarship, and an opportunity to develop an emphasis in a specific area. This can include but is not limited to: dance and the community, African aesthetics, dance on video, music for dance, dance in human society, and dance education. An important objective of the M.F.A. program is that each student develops a personal aesthetic, which manifests an understanding of his or her place in the world. In the third year students select a faculty member to serve as artistic advisor for their culminating Master's concert.
Job Placement:
Because the focus of the M.F.A. program is choreography, most graduates continue as independent or affiliated choreographers after graduation. In addition, many teach in higher education or perform professionally.
Licensure:
Not applicable.
Non-Degree Student Policy:
Non-matriculated students are able to take technique classes and some core coursework with permission of the instructor and the Department Chairperson. If accepted into the program, those courses may be applied toward the degree program.
Financing Opportunities
Teaching Assistantships (TAs) and Research Assistantships (RAs) are available. Teaching responsibilities usually include teaching university core curriculum. On occasion, TAs are assigned to teach Children's Dance, Repertory, technique classes, or classes germane to their area of study. This award includes a monthly stipend, book allowance, and tuition remission. The award is for one year. Students must re-apply for the award for a second appointment. The RA/TA application should include information in a clearly written and well-edited presentation. Please include 4 copies with the other application materials. Vital Information: If an entering student, include the Personal Data Sheet. If a continuing student, include the following information on a cover sheet: Name, degree program, address, telephone number, electronic address, and current grade point average; statement of teaching experience and a concise, clearly written, one paragraph philosophy of teaching; statement on how personal and professional goals relate to the responsibilities of the Assistantship.
February 2006
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