M.F.A. CURRICULUM
The master of fine arts (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
Graduate Rotation Workshop
Somatic Survey
Repertory
Faculty and Guest Artist
Independent Graduate Repertory
Thesis
Graduate Production
CREATIVE THEORY, METHOD, AND PRACTICE
Creative Process: Improvisation Strategies
Creative Research 1: Cross-Disciplinary Methods
Creative Research 2: Interdisciplinary Methods
Graduate Colloquium II
History of Creative Engagement
Thesis 1: Research
Thesis 2: Production
DANCE STUDIES
Dance Philosophy and Aesthetics (corequisite with Creative Process)
History of Creative Engagement (corequisite with Externship)
History of Interdisciplinarity (corequisite with Creative Research I)
Oral History and Performance
Graduate Colloquium 2: Research
PEDAGOGY THEORY, METHOD, AND PRACTICE
Dance in Higher Education
Pedagogy for Online Dance Education
Graduate Colloquium 1: 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 DANCE 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 (07:206:344g)
A. Advanced Screen Dance
B. Lighting Design for Dance
C. Stage Management for Dance
08:206:559 Dance Studies
A. Dance Dramaturgy
B. Dance Documentation and Reconstruction
08:206:990 Independent Study: Dance Studio
08:206:991 Independent Study: Dance Studies
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 degree program begins in Summer Session, followed by fall semester, Winter Session, and spring semester. Second-year coursework begins with Summer Session, followed by fall semester. The remaining Winter Session and spring semester will focus on final thesis research, production, presentation, and defense.
GRADUATE TECHNIQUE:
Eight credits of graduate technique are required.
Somatic Survey is included at 2 credits. Semester-based technique courses (two days per week) are 1-1.5 credits;
semester-based rotation workshops are .5 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, Independent Graduate Repertory, and Thesis Repertory courses give the student multiple options to fulfill the requirement and those decisions will
be made under advisement.
GRADUATE PRODUCTION: This course is required for all M.F.A. graduate students.
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.
Elective requirements will be fulfilled by the following studio: academic ratios: 6:4, 5:5, 4:6. There are varied ways these ratios can be fulfilled and those decisions will be made
under advisement.
Additional arts-based electives are available in Mason Gross's music,
theater, and visual arts and design 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.