Performance

• Refine conservatory training in contemporary, classical, and somatic techniques to cultivate greater interpretive skills for professional artistic presentation as well as train toward an advanced level of pedagogical demonstration.
• Develop multiple performance opportunities including self-produced, faculty, and globally-based guest artist works and opportunities as interpreters for choreographic thesis projects.

Creativity

• Acquire comprehensive skills in improvisational and choreographic strategies to strengthen advanced choice-making in the creative process and research.
• Develop a praxis of integrated theoretical frameworks and studio projects that develop a range of cross- and interdisciplinary creative processes and research methods. 

Dance Studies

• Build firm scaffolding of critical thinking and writing skills through theoretical coursework.
• Establish a comprehensive range of dance studies competencies including philosophy, aesthetics, history, and technology as they intersect with creativity and performance.

Pedagogy

• Develop and refine a knowledge and understanding of critical dance pedagogy that becomes the foundation for excellence in transformative teaching.
• Apply historical, cultural, and critical pedagogical frameworks to in-studio technical, performance, and creative practices.
• Acquire advanced competency in creating course materials such as syllabi and multiple forms for assessment and measurement supporting pedagogical accountability and reinforcing student self-management and regulation in the classroom.

Cross- and Interdisciplinary Creative Research

• Understand and value both cross- and interdisciplinary modes of research that integrate dance with other artistic, humanities, and/or science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
• Develop and refine theoretical and artistic vocabularies and methods for advanced creative process and research in cross- and interdisciplinary artistic works.
• Create a final thesis project that fulfills a mature artistic vision for cutting-edge cross- and interdisciplinary creative work.

Leadership in the Field

• Acquire advanced communication skills through a firm foundation of personal assessments that require both oral and written components.
• Develop advanced technological literacy through coursework to support transformative teaching and research excellence in chosen areas of study.
• Understand the scope of dance as a field with multiple pathways to success toward entering the professional field ready to lead and advocate for a clear set of dance values and beliefs.