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Degree Description and Philosophy

The MFA degree in Dance is a 60-unit plan of study emphasizing performance and choreography grounded in the modern dance genre. This degree requires 3 years in residence to complete all course work. The Masters of Fine Arts degree is considered to be the terminal degree in the studio area of the dance discipline, and is the degree required by major dance schools in the United States for university and college teaching. CSULB offers the only MFA in Dance in the California State University system.

The CSULB Dance Department has chosen to keep the MFA degree program small and selective in order to provide adequate resources to all students in the degree plan. As such, we will typically accept between 3 and 5 students each year.  It is expected that applicants for the MFA in Dance should have professional experience in the field prior to application.

Opportunities for Performance/Choreography

Graduate concerts are held once each semester, and MFA candidates usually complete and present their theses concerts within the second and third years of study.  Other opportunities to choreograph arise periodically throughout the school year.  In addition to participating in the MFA concerts, graduate students are encouraged to audition for the two faculty concerts and the annual Spring undergraduate concert produced by the Department each academic year.  Guest artists are in residence each semester to restage or create new works on student performers.  The Department also annually participates in the American College Dance Festival Association's regional event. 
To view a list of recent guest artists, click here.

To view information on all future Dance Department concerts, including upcoming faculty concerts in November 2008 and April 2009, click here.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will explore, practice, and actualize the craft of making dances to communicate a declared intention.
2. Students will refine proficiency in modern dance and ballet movement vocabularies, enabling them to more successfully pursue careers in the professional arenas of performance/choreography and/or education.
3. Students will gain theoretical knowledge of dance through the study of history, music, film/video, aesthetics, dance science, and dance criticism
4. Students will attain substantial knowledge of pedagogy and practical experience in preparation for teaching, including theoretical, practical, and kinesiological perspectives.
5. Students will acquire practical skills in the production aspects of dance, including costume design, lighting design, and stage management and/or public relations.

Curriculum

18 units -- Technique to be earned from the following courses:
     DANC 512/510A Int/Advanced Modern Technique (3) [12 total units]
     DANC 514/510B Int/Advanced Ballet Technique (3) [6 total units]

14-16 units -- Theory
     DANC 597 Seminar in Dance Criticism and Analysis (3)
     DANC 505 Seminar in Methodology (3)
     DANC 605 Seminar in Dance (2)
     DANC 565 Dance Science as Related to Teaching Technique (3)
*Prerequisite: CSULB’s DANC 260: Anatomy for the Dancer (3)
     DANC 693 Internship (1-3)
     DANC 588 Seminar in Dance Management (2)

23 units -- Performance/Choreography/Production
     DANC 520A,B,C,D Choreography (3) [12 total units]
     DANC 580A,B, 585A,B Performance (1) [4 total units]
     DANC 592 Special Topics: Production (1)
     DANC 699 THESIS (6)
     Electives (3-5)
                  *Selection of courses in this category will be determined in
consultation with Committee Chair and/or MFA Graduate Advisor.

60 units total

Prerequisite courses

MFA applicants who have not completed the following prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in the program will be required to complete any missing prerequisites as part of the MFA degree requirements.  These undergraduate courses are contained within many undergraduate BA or BFA Dance programs. MFA Candidates may fulfill prerequisite requirements while completing graduate courses. All prerequisite courses fulfilled at CSULB must be taken for a letter grade.

* Advanced technique
* Improvisation
             * Dance Composition (2 courses)
              * Dance History (2 courses)
              * Music for Dance
* Dance Notation or Laban Movement Analysis
              * Dance Production (2 courses)

All candidates will be admitted into the program on conditional status. Removal of the conditional status will occur after all prerequisite work has been completed and the University's Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) has been passed.  At such time students will be Advanced to Candidacy and begin their thesis project as they finish their coursework.

Financial Aid

The Dance Department has very limited resources for financial support of its graduate candidates. However, every effort is made to help graduate students whenever possible with internal support as well as guidance for finding support with the help of the CSULB Financial Aid office. Complete financial aid information is contained in the CSULB Graduate Application booklet.  To be considered for both California state aid and Federal aid, applications (FAFSA) are due in the Financial aid office no later than March 2, 2009.  For more information see http://www.csulb.edu/depts/enrollment/financial_aid/

Graduate Associateships and Teaching Assistantships

The Dance Department awards graduate associateships and teaching assistantships to qualified MFA candidates. Most graduate associates provide work to the Department in the areas of production, Dance Center supervision, special project assistants, office work, readers etc. Teaching assistantships are usually awarded to students who are qualified to teach non-major beginning dance activity courses in jazz, modern, and/or ballet. MFA candidates are considered for these awards after they have been fully accepted into the University and the Dance Department.

Application requirements

A. University Application (Deadline Jan. 5, 2009):

1. CSULB graduate application completed online with CSU Mentor at www.csumentor.edu
2. Original undergraduate transcripts processed directly to CSULB Admissions in the Office of Enrollment Services.
3. International students must follow the specific requirements for international admissions listed in the CSULB General Catalog and Graduate Application.  Information available at http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/grad_undergrad/cie/international_admissions/index.html

B. Dance Department Application (Deadline Jan. 5, 2009):
1. The following materials should be submitted directly to the
Department of Dance, attention Dr. Colleen Dunagan, at the address given below:
a. Cover letter: indicating your intent to apply to the MFA program
and providing contact information – mailing address, phone,
email
b. Personal statement: 2 double-spaced typed pages addressing
how the graduate plan of study will fulfill your intended
professional goals.
c. Undergraduate transcript (original or copy)
              d. Resume or CV
              e. Three (3) current letters of reference
              f. VHS or DVD video of a recent example of your choreography:
submit no more than two pieces, one of which must be a
group work (3 or more people); please provide program
information for the dance.

C. Physical audition on the CSULB campus (Dance Center, Studio TBA):
             February 7, 2009
From 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

The audition will include a ballet and modern technique class, your presentation of a 3-5 minute solo composition, and possibly a personal interview with faculty.

Selection and Admission Process

Candidates admitted into this program will be selected on the following criteria:
     * Level of skill and artistry in performance and choreography;
     * Professional experience in the field;
     * Undergraduate degree in dance or equivalent
                         with a 3.0 GPA in upper division dance courses;
     * Professional goals which may be supported through the plan of
study;
     * Completion of all application materials.

Please Note:
1. We no longer mail a hard copy of this information by US postal service.
2. All information regarding the MFA program is available on this web site.

Submit Dance Dept. application and questions to:

Colleen Dunagan, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor/Coordinator        
CSULB Dance Department
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840-7201
562-985-7040
cdunagan@csulb.edu                    

To request a CSULB graduate application form, contact:

Enrollment Services
Graduate Admissions
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90840
562-985-5505

Or you may apply to the University online by clicking on this link to CSU Mentor or at http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/

California State University, Long Beach, in compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title Vl and Title Vll), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, handicap, or age in any of its policies, procedures, or practices; nor does CSULB discriminate on the basis of marital status or sexual orientation. This non-discrimination policy covers all CSULB programs. and activities.

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