CSULB Department of Dance: Graduate Degrees

MA Degree Description and Philosophy

The Master of Arts in Dance was created to serve dance educators who are currently teaching primarily in secondary and community college venues. The curriculum is designed to broaden and deepen dance knowledge and skills ranging from technique to composition, dance history and dance production. This degree elevates an undergraduate teaching credential to graduate status, usually commanding a pay increase for dance educators. Because the students for the M.A. are teaching during the academic year, course work is completed in three intensive summer sessions of study in which 9-12 units are earned each summer. The ideal class size for this degree is 15-20. No other institution of higher education in the state of California offers such an emphasis at the M.A. level.

The M.A. in Dance offers both studio and theory courses in its curriculum. All courses are designed to introduce new concepts and trigger deeper thought and analysis in the field of dance. All courses in the M.A. degree are at the graduate level and are offered only to graduate students.

Prerequisites for the M.A. in Dance are:
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a degree in dance or a related field or a minor in Dance with the appropriate prerequisite courses
• Fulfillment of the following college courses:
     -two courses in dance composition
     -one course in dance history
     -one course in anatomy/kinesiology (must be taken in the past five years)
• Minimum of 2 years experience teaching dance in a junior high or high school with a secondary teaching credential OR minimum of 2 years part-time or full-time experience teaching dance in a community college OR exemplary employment history of teaching dance in other venues.
• Current employment teaching dance in junior high, high school, or community college.

Application Process

University Requirements
All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants must file a complete graduate application as described in the graduate and post-baccalaureate admission materials at www.csumentor.edu. For specific guidelines regarding graduate application procedures to CSULB, please visit http://www.csulb.edu/depts/enrollment/admissions/graduate_programs.html.
Note: official undergraduate transcripts will be sent to CSULB as part of this application—do not send them to the Department of Dance unless specifically requested.

Please note:
(a) A minimum 3.0 g.p.a. is required in the last 60 semester units of the B.A. or B.F.A., as well as being in good standing at the last college attended. (b) A minimum of 3.0 g.p.a. is required for any previous graduate course work applied to this degree. (c) No fewer than 24 units of course work shall be completed in residence at CSULB. (d) Up to 6 hours of credit is transferable from another institution toward this degree at the discretion of the faculty advisor. (e) The M.A. in Dance requires 31 hours beyond the undergraduate degree.

Application Materials to be Submitted to CSULB Department of Dance
All candidates must submit directly to the CSULB Department of Dance a packet of material supporting the candidate’s promise of success in graduate study based upon her/his past academic record and record of teaching experience. In this packet, please submit the following:
  1) Letter of application addressing the following:
     • Completion of minimum prerequisites for the program and explanation of current dance employment.
  2) Curriculum Vitae.
  3) 3 letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the candidate’s likelihood of success in the program.
     • One of the letters must be from a current supervisor or colleague.
     • Letters may be submitted electronically if sent directly from the author. All electronic submissions must be attached as PDF files and must be signed.
  4)A 2-page (11 or 12-point font, double-spaced) personal statement addressing how this graduate program will help fulfill professional goals.
  5)A DVD of two recently produced dances choreographed by the candidate on students in his/her school showing different aspects of the candidate's artistic projects.
     • Due to possible mechanical issues with DVDs, each candidate is encouraged to also place choreographic video footage on a website such as YouTube or Vimeo, and to include specific instructions in the application packet to the faculty concerning location and passwords connected to this material.

Movement audition and personal interview
Candidates who have fulfilled prerequisites and successfully submitted Department materials will be asked to participate in a live movement audition and personal interview at the CSULB Department of Dance. The audition will include a ballet and modern dance technique class, a short improvisation class, and an interview with the faculty selection committee. The date of the audition will be posted on the CSULB website in the fall 2013 semester.

Curriculum
DANC 510A Dance Technique Laboratory
DANC 510B Dance Technique Laboratory
DANC 510C Dance Technique Laboratory
DANC 521 Composition III
DANC 522 Composition IV
DANC 565 Dance Science as Related to Teaching Technique
DANC 585A Dance Performance
DANC 591A Design for Dance Lighting
DANC 591B Design for Dance Costuming
DANC 592 Special Topics
DANC 642 Seminar in Dance History
DANC 605 Seminar in Dance

Advancement to Candidacy
Students will be advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the following:
1. Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all graduate coursework
2. Pass the WPE Exam
3. Complete a minimum of 21 units of coursework
4. Removal of any incompletes

Written Comprehensive Exam
The Comprehensive Examination will consist of practical applications of theories and skills, and questions emphasizing a synthesis of knowledge learned in the MA curriculum. The overall exam will be structured as follows:
• Part I: Dance Composition Practicum—takes place in Summer #3
• Part II: Lighting Practicum—turned in post-Summer #3
• Part III: Costuming Practicum—turned in post-Summer #3
• Part IV and V: Written exam questions linking areas of theoretical and/or practical study, which may include Dance History, Dance Science, Composition, Technique, and Music for Dance.

Students will have one week to complete each of the written exam questions. Exam dates will typically be in the October following the third summer of study. The questions will be evaluated on the student’s ability to synthesize and utilize correct and proper information taught in the subject area, and to create a thesis or controlling idea addressing the prompt/question.

For more information please contact: Colleen Dunagan Department of Dance at California State University Long Beach Colleen.Dunagan@csulb.edu

	MASTER of ARTS DEGREE AT CSULB DANCE
	APPLICATION & AUDITION DATES Thank you for your interest in the MA in Dance at CSULB. The next class will be admitted in 2014. The application period will open October 1, 2013. All application materials must be submitted no later than December 1, 2013. Audition date/time TBA. For updated information regarding the 2013-2014 application process, please check back in July 2013.
		MA Degree Description and Philosophy The Master of Arts in Dance was created to serve dance educators who are currently teaching primarily in secondary and community college venues. The curriculum is designed to broaden and deepen dance knowledge and skills ranging from technique to composition, dance history and dance production. This degree elevates an undergraduate teaching credential to graduate status, usually commanding a pay increase for dance educators. Because the students for the M.A. are teaching during the academic year, course work is completed in three intensive summer sessions of study in which 9-12 units are earned each summer. The ideal class size for this degree is 15-20. No other institution of higher education in the state of California offers such an emphasis at the M.A. level. The M.A. in Dance offers both studio and theory courses in its curriculum. All courses are designed to introduce new concepts and trigger deeper thought and analysis in the field of dance. All courses in the M.A. degree are at the graduate level and are offered only to graduate students. Prerequisites for the M.A. in Dance are: • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a degree in dance or a related field or a minor in Dance with the appropriate prerequisite courses • Fulfillment of the following college courses: -two courses in dance composition -one course in dance history -one course in anatomy/kinesiology (must be taken in the past five years) • Minimum of 2 years experience teaching dance in a junior high or high school with a secondary teaching credential OR minimum of 2 years part-time or full-time experience teaching dance in a community college OR exemplary employment history of teaching dance in other venues. • Current employment teaching dance in junior high, high school, or community college. Application Process University Requirements All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants must file a complete graduate application as described in the graduate and post-baccalaureate admission materials at www.csumentor.edu. For specific guidelines regarding graduate application procedures to CSULB, please visit http://www.csulb.edu/depts/enrollment/admissions/graduate_programs.html. Note: official undergraduate transcripts will be sent to CSULB as part of this application—do not send them to the Department of Dance unless specifically requested. Please note: (a) A minimum 3.0 g.p.a. is required in the last 60 semester units of the B.A. or B.F.A., as well as being in good standing at the last college attended. (b) A minimum of 3.0 g.p.a. is required for any previous graduate course work applied to this degree. (c) No fewer than 24 units of course work shall be completed in residence at CSULB. (d) Up to 6 hours of credit is transferable from another institution toward this degree at the discretion of the faculty advisor. (e) The M.A. in Dance requires 31 hours beyond the undergraduate degree. Application Materials to be Submitted to CSULB Department of Dance All candidates must submit directly to the CSULB Department of Dance a packet of material supporting the candidate’s promise of success in graduate study based upon her/his past academic record and record of teaching experience. In this packet, please submit the following: 1) Letter of application addressing the following: • Completion of minimum prerequisites for the program and explanation of current dance employment. 2) Curriculum Vitae. 3) 3 letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the candidate’s likelihood of success in the program. • One of the letters must be from a current supervisor or colleague. • Letters may be submitted electronically if sent directly from the author. All electronic submissions must be attached as PDF files and must be signed. 4)A 2-page (11 or 12-point font, double-spaced) personal statement addressing how this graduate program will help fulfill professional goals. 5)A DVD of two recently produced dances choreographed by the candidate on students in his/her school showing different aspects of the candidate's artistic projects. • Due to possible mechanical issues with DVDs, each candidate is encouraged to also place choreographic video footage on a website such as YouTube or Vimeo, and to include specific instructions in the application packet to the faculty concerning location and passwords connected to this material. Movement audition and personal interview Candidates who have fulfilled prerequisites and successfully submitted Department materials will be asked to participate in a live movement audition and personal interview at the CSULB Department of Dance. The audition will include a ballet and modern dance technique class, a short improvisation class, and an interview with the faculty selection committee. The date of the audition will be posted on the CSULB website in the fall 2013 semester. Curriculum DANC 510A Dance Technique Laboratory DANC 510B Dance Technique Laboratory DANC 510C Dance Technique Laboratory DANC 521 Composition III DANC 522 Composition IV DANC 565 Dance Science as Related to Teaching Technique DANC 585A Dance Performance DANC 591A Design for Dance Lighting DANC 591B Design for Dance Costuming DANC 592 Special Topics DANC 642 Seminar in Dance History DANC 605 Seminar in Dance Advancement to Candidacy Students will be advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the following: 1. Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all graduate coursework 2. Pass the WPE Exam 3. Complete a minimum of 21 units of coursework 4. Removal of any incompletes Written Comprehensive Exam The Comprehensive Examination will consist of practical applications of theories and skills, and questions emphasizing a synthesis of knowledge learned in the MA curriculum. The overall exam will be structured as follows: • Part I: Dance Composition Practicum—takes place in Summer #3 • Part II: Lighting Practicum—turned in post-Summer #3 • Part III: Costuming Practicum—turned in post-Summer #3 • Part IV and V: Written exam questions linking areas of theoretical and/or practical study, which may include Dance History, Dance Science, Composition, Technique, and Music for Dance. Students will have one week to complete each of the written exam questions. Exam dates will typically be in the October following the third summer of study. The questions will be evaluated on the student’s ability to synthesize and utilize correct and proper information taught in the subject area, and to create a thesis or controlling idea addressing the prompt/question. For more information please contact: Colleen Dunagan Department of Dance at California State University Long Beach Colleen.Dunagan@csulb.edu

MASTER of ARTS DEGREE AT CSULB DANCE