Master of Arts in Dance Education

The program is designed for full-time dance educators teaching a diverse population of public school students. At least one year of full-time teaching experience with K-12 students is very strongly recommended before beginning the program. Many course assignments require teaching public school students (or similar populations). The program is not appropriate for those teaching only in typical commercial or professional studios.

Students who already hold an initial North Carolina teaching license in Dance (Standard Professional I) may choose to earn the advanced M license along with the degree. This option is not available for those students who do not already hold the initial license. Students who hold an initial dance license from another state may contact the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to see if they are eligible for a North Carolina license.

The program of study leading to the MA in Dance Education rests on an assumption that experienced teachers working at the graduate level already possess significant knowledge and skill; the program is designed for students who are able to function well as independent learners within a supportive community. Most of the courses involve substantive reading and challenging assignments on which students work over a period of time, receiving extensive feedback from instructors. Peer collaboration and dialogue are built into courses whenever possible, but there is a significant amount of work that is completed solo. The instructors see themselves as facilitators of student learning rather than delivery-persons for content information.

An alternate route to Standard Professional I licensure in dance is possible for students through the MA in Dance Theories and Practices; this is not a distance program and students have to attend classes on campus during the normal school day. Students interested in that approach rather than the distance programs described below should contact Dr. Sue Stinson at sue_stinson@uncg.edu. Students are admitted into that program on an annual basis.

Most students in the MA in Dance Education are full-time dance educators in schools taking one graduate course each semester and one or two courses during the summer, over a three to four year period. The minimum time required to complete the degree is 3½ years. The Graduate School allows five years to complete a master’s degree.

All DCE courses are taught either in the summer or online; most are currently available only in a 4-year rotation. The elective courses may be taken at UNCG or another institution. (Students may transfer in up to 12 credits from an accredited institution, with approval.) Two required summer courses must be taken on campus at UNCG. Each requires a stay of approximately three weeks, beginning in mid-June.

During the normal school year, students should expect to spend approximately 12 hours per week in completing assignments for one 3-credit online graduate course; this includes a substantial amount of time reading and in front of a computer; those employed full-time who have other significant responsibilities should consider whether their schedules allow for such a commitment. A number of the courses involve developing lesson/unit plans and working with one’s own students in a dance education setting.

Admission requirements for all students include coursework from an accredited institution demonstrating proficiency in the following:

• improvisation and choreography
• dance technique at the high intermediate or advanced level in one or more forms
• dance history, including global dance forms and 20th century modern dance
• music for dance or other significant work in music
• dance production
• applied anatomy/kinesiology/injury prevention

We admit students in even numbered years only. To facilitate building a supportive community of peers, we admit students into the program only at the beginning of a face-to-face summer course. These require three weeks of residence on campus. The next Summer course for the program is June 20-30, 2012, with a June 19 orientation. The application deadline for summer 2012 is April 1, 2012.

The MA in Dance Education, like other programs in the Department, has limited enrollments and the selection process is competitive. For admission, faculty consider the strength of your experience, Undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, letters of reference, and your ability to write and think as evidenced by your application materials. They also will review a video showing your ability to demonstrate skillful movement in dance.

Some parts of the application go through the Graduate School, and some are sent directly to the Dance Department, as described below:

The following are due by April 1 to THE GRADUATE SCHOOL:

• A completed Graduate School application form http://www.uncg.edu/grs/applyonline.html
• Two copies of the official transcript from all former undergraduate and graduate degree programs (Students must hold a degree from an accredited institution; a minimum undergraduate gpa of 3.0 is expected.)
• GRE scores for general test (3 sections: verbal, quantitative, analytical writing)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Non-refundable application fee

The following are due by April 1 to THE DANCE DEPARTMENT:

• MA in Dance Education Application
• Note: You may submit Dance materials required through hard copy or electronically.

Submitting your materials:

By postal mail:
Dr. Sue Stinson
UNCG Department of Dance
Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27401
USA

By e-mail: sue_stinson@uncg.edu

There are two different paths to earning this degree:

I. MA in Dance Education without licensure (no previous license required): 36 graduate credits required

All courses are 3 credits except as indicated.

• DCE 560 - The Dancer’s Body (Summer, 2014)
• *DCE 610 - Dance: The Phenomenon I
• *DCE 611 - Dance: The Phenomenon II
• *DCE 646 - Reflective Practice
• *DCE 654 - P-12 Dance Education: Technique and Performance (Teaching Methods, 1 credit)
• *DCE 655 - P-12 Dance Education: Choreography (Teaching Methods, 1 credit)
• *DCE 656 - P-12 Dance Education: Critical Thinking/Literacy (Teaching Methods, 1 credit)
• *DCE 660 - Issues in Planning the Dance Curriculum
• Graduate Choreography Course (initially offered as DCE 676; Summer, 2012 (Course meets June 20-30 on campus. Advising on June 19 required.)
• *DCE 698 - Field Project in Dance (6 credits)

Additional requirement in Technique: 4 credits undergraduate technique at an accredited University or equivalent documented study at a professional studio.

PLUS: Electives in Dance, Education or related area (approved by advisor) (9)
(Students who have not completed coursework in diverse learners or educational psychology will be required to do so for elective credit.)

* indicates online course.

II. MA in Dance Education with M (advanced) licensure (only for students who hold the North Carolina Standard Professional I license in Dance): 36 graduate credits required

All courses are 3 credits except as indicated.

• DCE 560 - The Dancer’s Body (Summer, 2014)
• *DCE 610 - Dance: The Phenomenon I
• *DCE 611 - Dance: The Phenomenon II
• *DCE 646 - Reflective Practice
• *DCE 654 - P-12 Dance Education: Technique and Performance (Teaching Methods, 1 credit)
• *DCE 655 - P-12 Dance Education: Choreography (Teaching Methods, 1 credit)
• *DCE 656 - P-12 Dance Education: Critical Thinking/Literacy (Teaching Methods, 1 credit)
• *DCE 660 - Issues in Planning the Dance Curriculum
• Graduate Choreography course (initially offered as DCE 676; Summer, 2012, June 20-July 13
• *DCE 693 - Portfolio in K-12 Dance Education (6 credits)

Additional requirement in Technique: 4 credits undergraduate technique at an accredited University or equivalent documented study at a professional studio.

PLUS:

• One graduate course in Teacher Leadership (3)
• One graduate course in Human Development and Learning (3)
• One additional graduate course in education (approved by advisor; course in assessment very strongly recommended) (3)

* indicates online course.

(Note that tuition and fees change annually)

On campus courses:

http://web.uncg.edu/dcl/web/summer/registration/tuition_fees.php

The two summer courses must be taken on campus by all students. Costs of room and board are additional, but campus housing is available.

• For North Carolina residents, the summer 2011 cost of tuition and fees for a 3-credit on-campus course was approximately $741.00
• For non-North Carolina residents, the summer 2011 cost of tuition and fees for a 3-credit on-campus course was approximately $2042.00.

Online courses for Distance students:

http://online.uncg.edu/Registration.php#tuition

• For North Carolina residents who are Distance students, the current (11-12) cost of tuition and fees per credit for an online course is approximately $210.00
• For non-North Carolina residents who are Distance students, the current (11-12) cost of tuition and fees per credit for an online course is approximately $405.00.

Please note:

There are no UNCG scholarships or assistantships available for MA Dance Education students.

Contact the coordinator of the program, Dr. Sue Stinson, sue_stinson@uncg.edu.