MFA in Dance
The MFA in Dance at Florida State University prepares students to undertake a continuous and engaged physical practice as part of a rigorous embodied research trajectory. Students work individually and collaboratively to develop, analyze, and synthesize the fluid dimensions of their creative processes toward a culminating thesis project.
High value is placed on the cultivation of a sophisticated inquiry into dance artistry. The curriculum supports development of diverse skills in: classical and contemporary dance techniques, pedagogy, visual design and production, dance science, historical perspectives and critical theory, dramaturgy, musical inquiry, as well as technical and artistic integration of dance-specific technologies.
Why Dance at FSU?
Award-Winning Mentorship: Learn from Dance Legends
Our esteemed faculty isn’t just accomplished in the classroom – they’re celebrated on the world stage. They’ve received prestigious honors like the MacArthur Fellowship, Fulbright fellowships, Bessie Award, Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, Bogliasco Foundation Fellowships, Dance Magazine Awards, Dance USA Honors, and recognition from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, The Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of the Arts.
Experience Matters: A Network of Industry Professionals
Many of our faculty have graced the stages of renowned companies such as New York City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Oakland Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Nikolais & Murray Louis Dance Company, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Ballethnic Dance Company, Harambee, Umoja, and more. They also collaborate extensively, serving as active participants in organizations like CORPS de Ballet International, American Culture Association, PoP Moves, World Dance Alliance, Alliance of Community Artists, and Dance USA.
Internationally Recognized Creatives: Learn from the Best
Beyond their teaching, our faculty are also prolific creators. In addition to works set on students many produce work that tours nationally and their films have screened at prestigious festivals like Dancing for the Camera at the American Dance Festival and ScreenDance Miami. However, their creative influence extends far beyond the stage and screen. Some have founded groundbreaking companies, like Jawole Willa Zollar’s Urban Bush Women. They are also accomplished authors, publishing a wide range of books that span the dance world, from in-depth guides on dance conditioning to leading textbooks that explore dance’s role in popular culture. This multifaceted approach to dance allows our faculty to bring not just theoretical knowledge, but also real-world experience and innovation into the classroom.
Graduate Financial Aid
Graduate Assistantships are available to qualified students and often combines teaching and research or a combination of different work responsibilities. When applying, it is important to include as much information as possible about special abilities, interests, and experience.
- Teaching Assistantships: To be eligible for an assistantship in technique (ballet or contemporary dance), the student must first successfully complete the apprenticeship program (see below).
- Research Assistantships: These involve work in specialized areas such as costumes, publicity, production, etc. Applicants must demonstrate ability in their chosen area.
- Apprenticeship Program: Candidates for apprenticeships must have achieved the most advanced level in the technique they wish to teach. Their work at this level will be assessed for at least one semester. During the same term, the candidate will observe a minimum of ten nonmajor technique classes and will teach three nonmajor classes, which faculty members will observe and assess. After successfully completing this apprenticeship, the student is eligible for consideration as a teaching assistant. Candidates designated as returning professionals by the graduate faculty are exempt from the apprenticeship requirement.
How to Apply for Aid: Download, complete, and return the Graduate Apprenticeship Assistantship Application.
MFA Creative Project
The candidate’s culminating research is a graduate creative project. Each project may reflect choreographic and/or performance work in combination with other areas of focus that the candidate may have pursued. A faculty member serves as creative project mentor and is designated by mutual agreement of the student, the MFA program director, and the mentor. Candidates will receive detailed procedures for accomplishing this creative project, which also includes a formal creative project proposal and a post-project conference with faculty and production staff.
Comprehensive Examination
The required comprehensive examination consists of two parts, written and oral. It is scheduled no earlier than the term in which the student is completing all required coursework. The student must enroll in DAN 5960 for the term in which the exam is taken.
MANCC
The School of Dance is the home of the internationally recognized dance research center the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography (MANCC). FSU dance students have the opportunity to observe and interact with professional artists while in residence at MANCC.
