Master of Arts Degree

Currently the Masters of Arts degree has a class of candidates who in Summer 2006, will be in their second summer of study. Given their return in Summer 2007 to complete their degree, it is anticipated that a new group of potential MA candidates will be recruited during the 2007-2008 academic year to begin their first year of the three-year plan of study in Summer 2008. This site will be periodically updated to reflect the specific application process and important dates within the process so please visit frequently if interested. You are also encouraged to call the MA Advisor, Judy Allen (562-985-4748), if you have any other questions regarding your interest or qualifications for this degree program.

The Master of Arts in Dance is intended to serve dance teachers in California working in community colleges, and secondary, intermediate, and elementary schools. Its objectives are as follows:

--to increase breadth and depth in the teaching skills of dance faculty in high schools and community colleges;

--to prepare graduates for dance education leadership roles in the local community and nationally;

--to prepare graduates for cultural leadership in contemporary society.

The M.A. in Dance offers both studio and theory courses in its curriculum. Both types of courses are designed to introduce new concepts in familiar subject matter, as well as new subject matter. Each builds on the experience and knowledge of the students' expertise in dance. All courses in the M.A. degree are at graduate level and are offered only to graduate students.

The practice-oriented M.A. in Dance was created to serve dance educators, primarily in secondary and community college venues. The curriculum is designed to broaden and deepen dance knowledge and skills for teaching dance classes and producing dance concerts. 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 15-18. No other institution of higher education in the state of California offers such an emphasis at the M.A. level.

Application Requirements

Apply to the admissions office to enter the University. The department does not have admission forms. You may request forms online at www.csumentor.edu and even apply entirely online.

Candidates must meet the following criteria for entrance into the M.A. in Dance:

Prerequisite Courses:
  1. two courses in dance composition;
  2. one course in dance history;
  3. one course in anatomy/kinesiology (must be taken in the past five years);
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a degree in dance or a related field;
  • Minimum of 3 years experience teaching dance in a high school with a secondary teaching credential, or minimum of 3 years part-time or full-time experience teaching dance in a community college (exceptions will be considered for extensive part-time employment teaching in a high school, or for an exemplary employment history of teaching dance in other venues);
  • Three letters of recommendation, of which one must be from a supervisor or colleague;
  • Movement audition and personal interview
  • Completion of all application materials.

Admission will be granted to students who show high promise of success in graduate study, based on past academic record and record of teaching experience. In addition to the above, the following should be noted:
(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

1. A CSULB post-baccalaureate application with undergraduate transcripts returned to CSULB Admissions. (A suggested date for these application materials to be sent to the Office of Admissions will be posted at a later date so that materials can be processed in time for the Dept. Selection Committee to utilize this information to determine admission eligibility. SPECIAL NOTE: The University does not normally accept new students in the summer so this degree program is unusual in that prospective candidates must list that they are applying for the following Fall term (because no summer term is listed on the application form). Once fully accepted into the degree program, the term will be changed to Summer.

2. The following must be returned to the CSULB Dance Department (dates to be determined):

  • letter of application
  • resume
  • 3 letters of reference (from persons who know you as a dance educator/ teacher
  • a 2 page (typed, double spaced) personal statement addressing how graduate work will fulfill intended professional goals
  • a video of two recently produced dances choreographed by the candidate on students in his/her school showing different aspects of the candidate's artistic projects.
3. Audition and interview at the Dance Center on the CSULB campus (date to be determined)).


Curriculum

DANC 510A Dance Technique Laboratory--3
DANC 510B Dance Technique Laboratory--3
DANC 510C Dance Technique Laboratory--3
DANC 521 Composition III------------------------3
DANC 522 Composition IV-----------------------3
DANC 565 Dance Science as Related to Tech.--3
DANC 591A Design for Dance Lighting------3
DANC 591B Design for Dance Costuming--3
DANC 592 Special Topics------------------------1
DANC 642 Seminar in Dance History--------3
DANC 605 Seminar in Dance-------------------3


Courses to be taught in summer 2006:

DANC 510B Dance Technique Laboratory (3) 8:30-10:15a daily
DANC 522 Composition III (3) 10:30a-12:30p daily
DANC 642 Seminar in Dance History (3) 1:30-4:00p in weeks 3-6


Technique and Choreography will be offered in the morning all six weeks;
Seminar in the afternoon of weeks 3-6.


3-year Schedule of Classes

Summer 1 - six weeks / four courses
DANC 510A (3) Technique lab (mornings all 6 weeks)
DANC 521 (3) Composition III (follows technique for all 6 weeks)
DANC 605 (3) Grad Seminar (afternoons in weeks 1-3)
DANC 591A (3) Lighting (afternoons in weeks 4-6)
Summer 2 - six weeks / three courses
DANC 510B (3) Technique lab (mornings all 6 weeks)
DANC 642 (3) Seminar in Dance History (4 weeks)
DANC 522 (3) Composition IV (follows technique for all 6 weeks)

Summer 3 - six weeks / four courses
DANC 510C (3) Technique lab (mornings all 6 weeks)
DANC 591B (3) Costuming (late mornings all 6 weeks)
DANC 656 (3) Dance Science as related to Teaching Technique (4 weeks)
DANC 592 (1) Special Topics: Practicum in Dance Composition (2 weeks)


Student Learning Outcomes
Dance Department

1.  Students will refine proficiency in modern dance movement vocabularies, enabling them to enhance their career as an educator.
2.  Students will engage in theoretical inquiry and study in the dance-related areas of history, dance science, and pedagogy, enabling them to enhance their career as an educator.
3.  Students will acquire practical skills in the areas of costume and lighting design.
4.  Students will explore, practice, and actualize the craft of making dances to communicate a declared intention.

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 incomplete;
5. Satisfactory completion of three artistic endeavors completed during the academic year utilizing student performers from the candidate's school. The first two endeavors (completed between the first and second summers) will consist of a choreographic work and a lighting design project. The second endeavor (completed between the second and third summers) will be a second choreographic work. Each endeavor will be evaluated by members of the faculty and assigned a pass/fail grade. In the case of a failing grade, candidates will have the opportunity to complete one of the failed endeavors a second time and resubmit it for evaluation.

Written Comprehensive Exam

Candidates will return to the campus to take a written comprehensive exam early in the fall term after completing all coursework. The exam will be structured as follows:Five questions which will emphasize the synthesis of knowledge learned in the MA curriculum. Two hours per question; 3 on the first day and two on the second day. Possible areas:
1. Technique with Dance Science
2. Costume and Lighting design with choreography
3. History with choreography
4. Graduate Seminar with either history or technique
5. One question integrating information from three or more coursesMore information regarding grading and content of the comprehensive exam will be given in the third summer session


For More Information contact........

Judy Allen, Chair CSULB
Dance Department
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840-7201
562-985-4748
judyalle@csulb.edu



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