Graduate Programs

Graduate Studies in Dance

The University of Oregon offers three Master's Degrees in dance:

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.),

Master of Science (M.S.) and

Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees in dance.

These programs offer a flexible course of study rooted in contemporary dance practice and theory. In addition, the M.F.A. gives a unique and full exposure to teaching in the university context. The department welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and is committed to learning in multiple modes. Areas of interest include: choreography, pedagogy, performance, theory, collaboration and technology. The department is housed in the School of Music and Dance.

Full-time students with adequate undergraduate preparation can usually complete M.A. and M. S. degree programs in two years if their area of specialization is designated during the first year. Graduate students who enter with deficiencies or do not decide on a specialization in the first year typically take three years to complete a master's degree. The M.F.A. takes three years.

Admission/Application - Due March 1st
Students seeking admission to a master's program should submit an online application and request a packet from the Department of Dance via email (email to Office Coordinator: Marian Moser). An official transcript must be submitted with the application. Application for enrollment is open to anyone who has graduated from an accredited college or university and has a 3.00 cumulative undergraduate GPA. In addition, applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, an up-to-date vita, and a statement of purpose explaining why they intend to pursue graduate studies in dance at the UO. A campus visit and audition interview process is also required. These should be arranged with the department. Video submission is possible in exceptional cases.

Online Application requires the use of Firefox, Netscape® v. 4.06, or Internet Explorer v.4.0 or greater, that supports JavaScript, Cookies, and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Mac users require Firefox or Internet Explorer v. 4.51 or greater. Online Application - Click Here

PDF (printable) application - PDF Application - Click Here

International students whose native language is not English must earn scores of at least 575 (paper-based), 233 (computer-based), or 88 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). In addition, the University is now accepting the International English Testing System (IELTS) assessment score as an alternative to TOEFL. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. For more information about English Language Requirements go to the Graduate School's page for English Language Proficiency.

A student with a GPA below 3.00 may be admitted upon review of credentials. Students admitted to the graduate program must audition for placement in technique classes. Placement classes are held each spring term and during Week of Welcome before fall t erm. Dates of these auditions are available in the department office.

Adequate undergraduate preparation in dance theory and technique is required for admission to graduate programs in dance. Applicants with undergraduate deficiencies may be admitted as postbaccalaureate students until the necessary courses are completed .

Deficiencies may be made up by (1) passing proficiency examinations provided by the department, (2) presenting evidence of acceptable practical professional experience, or (3) demonstrating ability on videotape or in person for faculty review. All defi ciencies should be corrected at the first opportunity after entering the program.

Graduate Awards
Graduate teaching fellowships (GTFs) are available. Applications are in the department office. Applicants must submit a half-inch VHS videotape or DVD demonstrating their performance and teaching skills in at least two dance idioms ( i.e., African, ballet, ballroom, contact improvisation, ethnic, jazz, and tap). Applications are reviewed beginning March 1st for the following Fall Term, and positions are filled quickly.

Master's Degrees (M.S. and M.A.)
Three master's degree programs are available:

- general master's degree with thesis or choreographic thesis
- general master's degree without thesis
- master's degree with emphasis in dance science

A minimum of 54 graduate credits must be completed for a master's degree in dance; at least 30 of these credits must be earned in residence after admission to the graduate program. A student seeking a master of arts (M.A.) degree must demonstrate profi ciency in one second language by submitting evidence of two years of college-level study within the previous seven years or by passing an examination at the University Counseling Center's testing office, 238 Student Health Center.

Work for the master's degree must be completed within a period of seven years. This includes credits transferred from another institution and the thesis or final project.

Graduate Requirements
Graduate students must enroll in a technique course every term during their studies in residence and earn a minimum of 6 credits in 500-level DAN courses. Only these 6 credits may be applied toward the degree.

Students must take a minimum of 2 credits in Supervised College Teaching (DAN 602). The department recommends that these credits be earned in at least two teaching experiences, which provide opportunities to develop mentor relationships with faculty me mbers.

A final oral thesis defense or terminal project presentation is administered by the student's faculty committee following completion of the thesis or project.

Progress Toward the Degree
Qualified students are admitted to the dance master's degree program with conditional master's classification. The classification is changed to unconditional master's after a student has:
- corrected undergraduate deficiencies
- completed 12 graduate dance credits with grades of mid-B or better
- Achieved a technical skill equivalent to the DAN 500 level in at least one idiom. Studio classes taken to
prepare for 500-level DAN courses must be passed with letter grades of mid-B or better

Graduate students must achieve unconditional master's classification before they have completed 36 credits of graduate work.

Graduate students must meet with a graduate adviser each term to draw up course advising contracts, which ensure that courses taken fulfill university and department requirements.

Graduate teaching fellows (GTFs) must satisfactorily complete 9 graduate credits each term as specified in the signed course advising contract.

DAN graduate courses must be passed with grades of B- or P or better. Courses may be retaken at the next scheduled offering if satisfactory grades are not received. The student may be dropped from the program if a grade of B- or P or better is not earned on the second try.

Of the 54 graduate credits required for a master's degree in dance, the 6 credits of technique and the core courses must be taken for letter grades. A minimum of 24 graduate credits must be taken for letter grades; the remaining credits may be taken p ass/no pass. P is the equivalent of a B- letter grade or better.

Core courses in dance should be completed the first term they are offered during graduate study. Requests for exceptions are considered by the graduate committee after approval by the student's adviser.

Students must have a GPA of 3.00 or better in course work used to meet the requirements of the master's degree.

No more than one incomplete (I) may be earned each term and no more than two each year. Students have one calendar year or less to finish an incomplete, depending on the nature of the course and the instructor's requirements.

	Department of Dance 161 Gerlinger Annex 1214 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1214 (541) 346-3386 Fax: (541) 346-3380
About the Department Dance Faculty Graduate Teaching Fellows Facilities Mission Statement Performing Opportunities Programs of Study Undergraduate Programs Graduate Programs Nonmajors Other Information Academic Calendar Performance Calendar Distinguished Alumni Placement Class UORDC Campus Info University of Oregon School of Music Campus Map	Graduate Studies in Dance M.A./M.S. Requirements\| M.F.A. Requirements\| Admission Process \| Graduate Awards Master's Degrees \| Graduate Requirements \| Progress The University of Oregon offers three Master's Degrees in dance: Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees in dance. These programs offer a flexible course of study rooted in contemporary dance practice and theory. In addition, the M.F.A. gives a unique and full exposure to teaching in the university context. The department welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and is committed to learning in multiple modes. Areas of interest include: choreography, pedagogy, performance, theory, collaboration and technology. The department is housed in the School of Music and Dance. Full-time students with adequate undergraduate preparation can usually complete M.A. and M. S. degree programs in two years if their area of specialization is designated during the first year. Graduate students who enter with deficiencies or do not decide on a specialization in the first year typically take three years to complete a master's degree. The M.F.A. takes three years. Admission/Application - Due March 1st Students seeking admission to a master's program should submit an online application and request a packet from the Department of Dance via email (email to Office Coordinator: Marian Moser). An official transcript must be submitted with the application. Application for enrollment is open to anyone who has graduated from an accredited college or university and has a 3.00 cumulative undergraduate GPA. In addition, applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, an up-to-date vita, and a statement of purpose explaining why they intend to pursue graduate studies in dance at the UO. A campus visit and audition interview process is also required. These should be arranged with the department. Video submission is possible in exceptional cases. Online Application requires the use of Firefox, Netscape® v. 4.06, or Internet Explorer v.4.0 or greater, that supports JavaScript, Cookies, and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Mac users require Firefox or Internet Explorer v. 4.51 or greater. Online Application - Click Here PDF (printable) application - PDF Application - Click Here International students whose native language is not English must earn scores of at least 575 (paper-based), 233 (computer-based), or 88 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). In addition, the University is now accepting the International English Testing System (IELTS) assessment score as an alternative to TOEFL. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. For more information about English Language Requirements go to the Graduate School's page for English Language Proficiency. A student with a GPA below 3.00 may be admitted upon review of credentials. Students admitted to the graduate program must audition for placement in technique classes. Placement classes are held each spring term and during Week of Welcome before fall t erm. Dates of these auditions are available in the department office. Adequate undergraduate preparation in dance theory and technique is required for admission to graduate programs in dance. Applicants with undergraduate deficiencies may be admitted as postbaccalaureate students until the necessary courses are completed . Deficiencies may be made up by (1) passing proficiency examinations provided by the department, (2) presenting evidence of acceptable practical professional experience, or (3) demonstrating ability on videotape or in person for faculty review. All defi ciencies should be corrected at the first opportunity after entering the program. Graduate Awards Graduate teaching fellowships (GTFs) are available. Applications are in the department office. Applicants must submit a half-inch VHS videotape or DVD demonstrating their performance and teaching skills in at least two dance idioms ( i.e., African, ballet, ballroom, contact improvisation, ethnic, jazz, and tap). Applications are reviewed beginning March 1st for the following Fall Term, and positions are filled quickly. Master's Degrees (M.S. and M.A.) Three master's degree programs are available: - general master's degree with thesis or choreographic thesis - general master's degree without thesis - master's degree with emphasis in dance science A minimum of 54 graduate credits must be completed for a master's degree in dance; at least 30 of these credits must be earned in residence after admission to the graduate program. A student seeking a master of arts (M.A.) degree must demonstrate profi ciency in one second language by submitting evidence of two years of college-level study within the previous seven years or by passing an examination at the University Counseling Center's testing office, 238 Student Health Center. Work for the master's degree must be completed within a period of seven years. This includes credits transferred from another institution and the thesis or final project. Graduate Requirements Graduate students must enroll in a technique course every term during their studies in residence and earn a minimum of 6 credits in 500-level DAN courses. Only these 6 credits may be applied toward the degree. Students must take a minimum of 2 credits in Supervised College Teaching (DAN 602). The department recommends that these credits be earned in at least two teaching experiences, which provide opportunities to develop mentor relationships with faculty me mbers. A final oral thesis defense or terminal project presentation is administered by the student's faculty committee following completion of the thesis or project. Progress Toward the Degree Qualified students are admitted to the dance master's degree program with conditional master's classification. The classification is changed to unconditional master's after a student has: - corrected undergraduate deficiencies - completed 12 graduate dance credits with grades of mid-B or better - Achieved a technical skill equivalent to the DAN 500 level in at least one idiom. Studio classes taken to prepare for 500-level DAN courses must be passed with letter grades of mid-B or better Graduate students must achieve unconditional master's classification before they have completed 36 credits of graduate work. Graduate students must meet with a graduate adviser each term to draw up course advising contracts, which ensure that courses taken fulfill university and department requirements. Graduate teaching fellows (GTFs) must satisfactorily complete 9 graduate credits each term as specified in the signed course advising contract. DAN graduate courses must be passed with grades of B- or P or better. Courses may be retaken at the next scheduled offering if satisfactory grades are not received. The student may be dropped from the program if a grade of B- or P or better is not earned on the second try. Of the 54 graduate credits required for a master's degree in dance, the 6 credits of technique and the core courses must be taken for letter grades. A minimum of 24 graduate credits must be taken for letter grades; the remaining credits may be taken p ass/no pass. P is the equivalent of a B- letter grade or better. Core courses in dance should be completed the first term they are offered during graduate study. Requests for exceptions are considered by the graduate committee after approval by the student's adviser. Students must have a GPA of 3.00 or better in course work used to meet the requirements of the master's degree. No more than one incomplete (I) may be earned each term and no more than two each year. Students have one calendar year or less to finish an incomplete, depending on the nature of the course and the instructor's requirements.