Dance, MFA

Objectives:

• Develop and integrate an in-depth understanding of a Christian worldview with their dance studies, and critically assess their practice from such a perspective.
• Cultivate advanced skills in technique and performance which reflect a synthesis of practice-based and theoretical approaches to dance practice.
• Deepen their theoretical and scholarly understanding of dance and its influence in past and present cultures and the ways in which these influences interact with their own body of work.
• Practice a sense of artistry, craft, and voice through exploration, innovation, and development of advanced skills in dance-making.

Graduation Requirements:

• Successful completion of the degree curriculum (60 credits) with a minimum program GPA of 3.00.
• Pass all MFA courses with a C or above. If a student earns below a C, s/he will be placed on academic probation. A second grade of C- or below will result in the student’s repetition of the course. A pattern of poor academic performance may result in expulsion from the program.
• Minimum total of 39 credits in studio or related areas, including 12 credit hours in technique, 9 credit hours in choreography, 1 credit hour in performance, and 7-9 credits in Graduate Thesis Project. Additional courses in this area may be selected from the following: DAN 502 Graduate Dance Production, DAN 585 Somatic Practices for Dance I; DAN 671/672 Graduate Improvisation, DAN 685 Somatic Practices for Dance II, or other courses approved by the MFA Program Director.
• Minimum total of 15 credit hours in academic courses, including DAN 501 Graduate Kinesiology, DAN 503 Graduate Kinesiology Lab, DAN 511 Graduate Seminar, DAN 575 Graduate Dance Pedagogy, DAN 576 Graduate Dance Pedagogy Lab, DAN 662 Research and Writing for Dance, and other courses approved by the MFA Program Director.
• Successful completion of 9 credits of Graduate Choreography before advancing to the thesis project phase.
• 6 credit hours of electives in dance or related research area. These credits may come from DAN 550/650 Graduate Apprenticeship, DAN 590/690 Graduate Independent Study, DAN 560 Dance Technology, DAN 591/691 Graduate Special Topics, or other courses from graduate programs in the University (500 level or higher). Credit: one to three hours.
• Per university and NASD guidelines, the Dance Department accepts up to 6 transfer credits from graduate courses at an accredited college or university recognized by CHEA and the Higher Education Directory. To be eligible for transfer, credits must be completed within six years of matriculation into the MFA in Dance at Belhaven University. Students may be asked to provide additional information, such as a course syllabus or assignments, to verify their applicability to the MFA in Dance program of study. The MFA Program Director, Chair of Dance, and Registrar will determine which courses are eligible for transfer credit.