Overview

The MFA in Dance program immerses you in choreographic research through physical and theoretical inquiry while critically examining technical movement practice through a variety of somatic and conceptual perspectives. Through faculty mentorship and rigorous personal investigations, you are guided to integrate knowledge produced through creative and scholarly inquiry into a final thesis project.

Our graduate faculty are nationally and internationally acclaimed performing and choreographic artists. Their research specialties span cultural perspectives, technical forms, somatic modalities, site-specific performance, improvisation, interdisciplinary collaboration, community-engaged social justice work, and integration of technology and new media.

With our program, you will be well-equipped to develop your career as a professional dancer, choreographer or educator in the field. And because we are a collaborative community of artists ourselves, we are committed to providing you with an immersive and transformative educational experience to get you to where you want to be next.

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Faculty and Staff

Our inspirational faculty and staff make sure students feel welcome and empowered to think outside the box and explore all possibilities of making art at UWM. Visit the Peck School of the Arts directory to meet these artists, explore their biographies and engage with recent work.

Scholarships and Aid 

Financial constraints shouldn’t hinder your artistic dreams. Our comprehensive range of scholarships and aid programs is designed to empower and support artists like you.

Study Abroad

We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.

Admission Requirements 

Graduate applicants must meet general Graduate School admission requirements in addition to specific program requirements found on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.

To learn more, request a remote audio or video appointment with the UWM Graduate School.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.

Admission

Applicants who meet Graduate School requirements plus these program requirements may be admitted in good standing:

1. Reason Statement:  Content must include the following:
   • Explain the aspects of your embodied practice and what you achieve through that experience (movement tradition, teaching, somatics, writing, performance, creation). How do you see your movement practice evolving in the field of contemporary performance?
   • Articulate how you investigate and create unique choreographic work based on your movement practice(s). Include how your intellectual interests inform your choreographic inquiry.
   • Out of state students will be considered for a Non-Resident-Tuition Remission Award. To qualify, please provide a one-paragraph statement of financial need to be included in your application. Include information of your current financial situation that outlines your economic need. 
2. Required Work Sample: Work sample description page (no more than 3 pages total) with video URLs for 10-12 minutes of recent performance and/or choreography. This may consist of excerpted works (minimum two minutes from each work). Must include exact URL (web address) for each work (clickable links preferred, with passwords on the description page as necessary). For each work, the description should include choreographer, performers, venue, company or organization, dates, and any other applicable information (designers, etc).
3. Required Curriculum Vitae or Resume (no more than 5 pages.
4. Optional Press Materials: Preference is a single pdf (not individual file uploads).
5. Recommendations: Two (2) recent recommendations from people who can provide information on your qualifications. The site permits the recommenders to write or upload their statements directly into the system (preferred) or the department can upload on behalf of the recommenders.

Credits and Courses

Minimum degree requirement in Performing Arts-Dance is 60 credits distributed as follows, of which at least 6 must be in complementary studies.

Final Project

Each student must undertake a final project of either one or two semesters duration (4-8 cr.). The project must be approved by the major advisor. The project will inevitably relate to dance and movement, so that there is often a choreographic component involved, most likely a concert. These may occur in a variety of approved performance settings which may include on- or off-campus sites. Nonetheless, all projects require research and a written component, which will vary depending on the process (and number of credits), working with a thesis chair and two other committee members.

Additional Requirements

Major Professor as Advisor

The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise studies as specified in Graduate School regulations; the student may not register for any courses without this advisor’s prior approval. A student who is not assigned to an advisor at the time of admission should immediately contact the Program Director.

Time Limit

The student must complete all degree requirements within seven years of initial enrollment.

Graduate Advising

Individual Peck School of the Arts graduate advisors are assigned upon admission. Your advisor will work closely with you during your time here. To connect with your graduate program representative, please visit the Graduate tab on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.

Dance, MFA Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with the MFA in Dance will be able to: 

• Integrate historical, cultural, and aesthetic kinesthetic knowledge into an individual dance praxis.  
• Deepen choreographic research and inquiry through integration of theoretical frameworks, historical dance foundations, and emergent forms.  
• Situate their choreographic praxis that integrates community engagement and social justice within a transnational perspective.  
• Demonstrate how to incorporate technology or technological approaches into their choreographic praxis.  
• Apply dance sciences and somatic modalities to their choreographic and pedagogical praxis.  
• Identify and activate a reciprocal relationship between critical dance studies and choreographic practice.  
• Apply dance pedagogical philosophies and teaching methodologies within K-12, higher education, private sector, and/or professional contexts.  
• Demonstrate proficiency in dance research and scholarly writing. 

Policies & Regulations

Please review the Graduate School policies and regulations and refer to each specific program for any additional items.