Master of Fine Arts in Dance

The MFA in Dance at Florida State University prepares students to undertake a continuous and engaged physical practice as part of a rigorous embodied research trajectory. Students work individually and collaboratively to develop, analyze, and synthesize the fluid dimensions of their creative processes toward a culminating thesis project.
High value is placed on the cultivation of a sophisticated inquiry into dance artistry. The curriculum supports development of diverse skills in: classical and contemporary dance techniques, pedagogy, visual design and production, dance science, historical perspectives and critical theory, dramaturgy, musical inquiry, as well as technical and artistic integration of dance-specific technologies.
The candidate's culminating research is a graduate creative project. Each project may reflect choreographic and/or performance work in combination with other areas of focus that the candidate may have pursued. A faculty member serves as creative project mentor and is designated by mutual agreement of the student, the MFA program director, and the mentor. Candidates will receive detailed procedures for accomplishing this creative project, which also includes a formal creative project proposal and a post-project conference with faculty and production staff.

A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor's degree
Link to video of the applicant performing an original two-minute solo (applicants will also perform this two-minute solo onsite during the in-person audition).
Two work samples highlighting the applicant's research interest in choreography, performance, dance on film, teaching, or other (two separate video links).
A resume highlighting dance training and experience (include video links in resume).
A photo of the applicant (either headshot or full-body).
Submission of the School of Dance Graduate Audition Application (with resume)
the School of Dance will offer in-person auditions for our MFA and MA Studio and Related Studies (MA/SRS) programs in our Montgomery Hall location on the campus of Florida State University. To initiate this process, please begin by completing the School of Dance Graduate Audition Application below. Please note that the application requires a resume with links to video of the applicant performing a two-minute solo and two work samples highlighting the applicant's dance research interest. The solo is intended to showcase the applicant's unique skill and artistry as a performer and choreographer, and it can be in whichever style the applicant chooses. Dancers auditioning for the MFA and MA/SRS are expected to choreograph their own original two-minute solos, and they will be required to perform these solos onsite during the in-person audition (see sample audition schedule below).
Two work samples should highlight the applicant's research interests in choreography, performance, dance on film, teaching, or other. Applicants should provide a maximum of three videos in total (i.e., 1 solo + 2 work samples). Applicants are encouraged to include a brief statement at the beginning of each video in which they discuss the content of the video, specifically addressing the genre/style and their relevant training and experience. Applicants are also required to upload a resume within the audition application specifically highlighting dance training and creative experience. The videos requested above should be uploaded to forums such as Youtube or Vimeo, and links to these videos must be provided in the applicant's resume. Please be sure the video links provided in your resume open properly prior to submission.
Please be advised that the School of Dance Graduate Audition Application is separate from the university application. Admission to the university is authorized by the FSU Office of Admissions, and all prospective MFA and MA/SRS applicants must submit the FSU graduate application in addition to the School of Dance Graduate Audition Application by the deadline for the audition date you select.
Please note that the FSU graduate application requires the following materials: 1) a statement of purpose (this is a 1-2 page letter in which you articulate your motivation for attending our program), 2) a writing sample (an essay, an academic or narrative paper, an article, or other writing assignment), 3) three letters of recommendation composed on official institutional letterhead, 4) official college/university transcripts, and 5) a resume/CV (the resume/CV must be uploaded both in the university application and the audition application). Our program does not require the GRE nor any other graduate admissions examination.
Internet based TOEFL (IBTOEFL): 80
Paper based TOEFL (TOEFL): 550
International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS): 6.5