Policy Statement - 91-09 Dance, MFA in

Master of Fine Arts in Dance (code 7-5230)

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance is the terminal degree in dance and offers professional training preparatory for careers in performance and choreography. 

Criteria for Admission to the Program 

1. For acceptance into the degree program students must have completed a bachelor's or master's degree in dance (or equivalent) from an accredited institution with a 3.0 G.P.A. in upper division courses, meet University admission requirements, and demonstrate ability in performance and/or choreography. 

2. When an undergraduate program is completed in a program which has different requirements than those of the dance major at CSULB, additional preparation may be required before the student can be considered for classified status in the degree program. Up to 30 units of credit from an M.A. degree program may be acceptable, with approval of a faculty committee. 

3. Admission to the degree programs in performance and choreography is through audition and interview. 

4. In order to obtain full classified status, a committee of graduate faculty will evaluate academic progress and professional accomplishment at the end of the student's first full year in residence. 

5. Advancement to Candidacy 
a. Attain fully classified status 
b. Remove all undergraduate deficiencies 
c. Submit a program for the approval of the student's departmental faculty advisor, the department chair, the graduate advisor, and the Dean of Graduate Studies 
d. Pass the Writing Proficiency Exam 
e. 3.0 minimum G.P.A. 

Requirements for the Master of Fine Arts in Dance: 

The M.F.A. degree in Dance is a 60 unit degree. Options are in Performance or Choreography. 

Performance Option 
Core courses: 15 to 21 units to include: 
DANC 531, 580, 585, 589, 597, 642, 696, 699; 
Courses required for performance option: 
DANC 412A, 412B, 414A, 414B, 512A, 512B, 514A, 514B, 562, 595; 
Electives: 
DANC 518, 520A, 520B, 520C, 520D, 525, 540, 545, 581A, 581B, 582, 591, 599, and up to 15 units selected from other departments with approval of advisor. 

Choreography Option 
Core courses: 15 to 21 units to include: 
DANC 531, 580, 585, 589, 597, 642, 696, 699; 
Courses required for choreography option: 
DANC 510, 520A, 520B, 520C, 520D, 525, 591; 
Electives: 
DANC 514A, 514B, 518, 540, 545, 562, 581A, 581B, 582, 595, 599, and up to 15 units selected from other departments with approval of advisor. 

Students may complete the degree in Performance/Choreography by selecting coursework from both options with approval of the graduate advisor. 


Effective: Fall 1992