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Required Course of Study

M.F.A. CURRICULUM

The M.F.A. curriculum includes sequential scaffolding of coursework with intersecting course content in an effort to encourage integrated learning. Based on the M.F.A. degree program goals, curriculum areas include:

PERFORMANCE THEORY, METHOD, AND PRACTICE

Graduate Technique
Rotation Workshop/Graduate Rotation Workshop
Somatic Survey
Repertory
Faculty and Guest Artist
Thesis
Graduate Production Study

CREATIVE THEORY, METHOD, AND PRACTICE

Creative Process I: Improvisation Strategies
Creative Process II: Choreography Strategies
Creative Research I: Cross- /Interdisciplinary Methods
Creative Research II: Cross- /Interdisciplinary Methods
Graduate Colloquium II: Research
Thesis 1: Research
Thesis 2: Production

DANCE STUDIES

Dance Philosophy and Aesthetics (corequisite with Creative Process I)
History of Interdisciplinary (corequisite with Creative Research I)
Graduate Colloquium II: Research

PEDAGOGY THEORY, METHOD, AND PRACTICE

Dance in Higher Education
Pedagogy for Online Dance Education
Graduate Colloquium I: Pedagogy
Assessment and Measurement for Dance in Higher Education

LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY

            Externship
            Professional Seminar 1: Portfolio Development
            Professional Seminar 2: Leadership/Job Search

SPECIAL TOPICS ELECTIVES:

08:206:529 Dance Practice

A. Movement Technique

B. Immersive/Devised Performance
C. Site-Specific/Alternative Spaces
D. Installation Design and Performance

08:206:539 Somatics

Yoga for Dancers (07:306:277)

A. Advanced Yoga

B. Introductions to Pilates Mat
C. Introduction to Bartenieff Fundamentals

08:206:549 Technology

Video for Dance (07:206:344)
A. Advanced Screen Dance
B. Lighting Design for Dance
D. Stage Management for Dance

08:206:559 Dance Studies

A. Oral History and Performance
B. Dance Documentation and Reconstruction
C. Dance Dramaturgy
Independent Study

CERTIFICATIONS: M.F.A. degree students may also consider completing additional certification in yoga and/or Polestar Pilates.

TRANSCRIPT REVIEW: Up to 6 credits of comparable graduate credit may be transferred to fulfill elective requirements only. Applicants will undergo a transcript review to determine the appropriate courses and to also avoid redundancies with prior teacher education preparation. Any course substitutions and corequisites will be made under advisement.

COURSEWORK: This period of intensive study includes required coursework, ranging from 1-3 credits. The program begins in the Winter Session, followed by spring semester and a Summer Session; coursework continues with the next fall and spring semesters, and a second Summer Session. The remainder fall and spring semesters will be thesis research. M.F.A. candidates may select thesis research on or off site.

GRADUATE TECHNIQUE: Eight credits of graduate technique are required. Semester-based technique courses (two days per week) are 2 credits; semester-based technique rotation (Friday only) is 1 credit. Summer Session technique workshop courses are also available. These options give the student multiple ways to fulfill the requirement and those decisions will be made under advisement.

GRADUATE REPERTORY: Eight credits of graduate repertory are required. Generally, each repertory is assigned 2 credits. Faculty/Guest Artist and Thesis Repertory courses give the student multiple options to fulfill the requirement and those decisions will be made under advisement.

GRADUATE PRODUCTION STUDY: This course is required for all M.F.A. graduate students. However, based on previously completed coursework and experience in the field, students may waive the course based on completing a skills survey by petition to the technical director.

STUDIO/ACADEMIC COURSE ELECTIVES: A total of 10 credits are required. During coursework, students will develop a Praxis Plan of elective courses that pursues an integration of theoretical and practical inquiry through a series of dance-focused special topics courses and additional coursework in other artistic; humanities; and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. There are varied ways the elective requirement can be fulfilled and those decisions will be made under advisement.

The department offers several dance electives:

Dance and Video
Yoga for Dancers
Special Topics: Dance Practice
Special Topics: Somatics Practice
Special Topics: Dance Technology
Special Topics: Dance Studies

Additional arts-based electives available in Mason Gross's music, theater, and visual arts departments as well as the Rutgers Center for Digital Filmmaking, based on availability and by permission of the instructor. As a major public university, Rutgers also offers a vast array of additional study areas from which to select additional elective courses.