Master of Fine Arts in Dance

The Master of Fine Arts in Dance at UNC Greensboro prepares students for professional dance careers and faculty positions in higher education through advanced training in choreographic practice, dance scholarship, and somatic practices. As a terminal degree, the MFA is the standard qualification required to teach dance as studio faculty at the university level.

MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN DANCE PROGRAM DISTINCTIONS

UNCG is the only university in the entire North Carolina system that offers graduate degrees in Dance.

The School of Dance features an exceptionally strong teaching mentorship. MFA students step up as the Instructor of Record for undergraduate courses, independently teaching their own classes.

The MFA in Dance at UNCG is highly regarded for its dual focus, treating choreography not just as physical movement, but as a deep cultural and social research process.

The program is housed in the Mary Channing Coleman Building which features specialized facilities:

• Dance Theatre: A hybrid classroom and performance space outfitted with portable mirrors and performance-grade Marley floors 
• 20Wood and 20Marley: State-of-the-art studios converted from an old campus pool house, featuring fully sprung floors and grand pianos for live musical accompaniment
• Studio 208: A dedicated somatic and dance education space packed with smart technology and therapeutic equipment
• Screen Dance Editing Classroom: A specialized computer lab setup specifically for filming, documenting, and editing dance media and choreography videos
• Production Support Space: An in-house costume shop, a video archive library, a box office, a dedicated green room, and student locker/dressing rooms equipped with showers
• Interior Garden Courtyard: A private outdoor green space reserved exclusively for dance students to relax or collaborate between rehearsals

UNCG’s School of Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance and and affiliations include:

• Dance Studies Association 
• American College Dance Association
• National Dance Education Organization
• N.C. National Dance Education Organization

The MFA IN DANCE Student Experience

MFA Dance students balance rigorous physical and scholarly expectations as they work toward 60 total credit hours—34 credits of core dance courses, 14 elective credits in dance, 6 credits outside the department, and 6 final thesis project credits.

Students work alongside active, producing faculty artists who serve as personal mentors. 

The School of Dance regularly integrates masterclasses into the schedule, bringing in globally renowned choreographers. Past guest artists include:

• Camille A. Brown
• Urban Bush Women
• Maleek Washington
• Ephrat Asherie

After GraduatiNG WITH YOUR MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN DANCE

An MFA in Dance is a terminal degree that opens up a wide range of professional paths, specifically preparing you for positions that require elite-level creative leadership and academic certification.

Some potential career paths include:

• Tenure-Track Assistant Professor
• Artist-in-Residence / Guest Lecturer
• Director of Dance
• Artistic Director:
• Choreographer

How to Apply to Graduate Programs In the School of Dance

Students interested in the MFA in Dance complete UNCG Graduate School admission process and provide School of Dance supplemental materials specific to the degree.

Frequently Asked Questions About the MFA in Dance