Master of Arts in Dance program

Program contact

Robin Conrad, PhD
rconrad@twu.edu

Charmian Wells, PhD
cwells14@twu.edu

Application deadlines

February 1

This MA in Dance with a Concentration in Education is a cohort program in which students are only admitted every other year. Students who choose this concentration will begin their studies in the fall of even years (e.g. 2026 or 2028). 

This program is open to Texas residents and non-Texas residents, and scholarships with in-state tuition are available for qualified applicants.

It is recommended that international students complete the graduate school application and submit required materials for review and processing at least six to eight months before the deadline.

Application requirements

1. Resume of dance, educational, and artistic experience.
2. Statement of interests and objectives 300-500 words which includes:
   • an indication of your professional goals;
   • previous artistic, academic, and career experience related to these goals; and
   • the importance of graduate study in the pursuit of your professional goals.
3. Writing sample (such as a research paper): 
   • Students applying for the two-year MA Cohort with emphasis in education should submit a research paper about their pedagogy or educational philosophy in the classroom.
   • Students applying for the two-year MA Cohort with an emphasis in education must submit a YouTube or Vimeo link to a class or series of classes taught by the applicant. Include the password if password protected.
4. Email addresses for three individuals familiar with your teaching, academic, and/or artistic work who can provide letters of recommendation to be requested through and submitted into the application.  
5. Participate in an interview, either in person or over the phone. Qualified applicants will be contacted by the Department of Dance recruitment coordinator to schedule an interview.
6. Only MA students considering the MFA need to participate in a Dance Audition.

Applicants who choose to apply for a graduate assistantship in dance should review the Graduate Assistantships Dance webpage and complete the Application for Graduate Assistantship and Teaching Expertise in Dance forms found on that page.

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
   • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details. Original transcripts for each college/university attended must be submitted, even if referred to on another schools transcripts.
   • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
3. Submit Recommendation Requests
   If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application. List of programs-majors.  
4. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
   1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
   2. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
   3. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.
5. Submit Program supplemental documents
   1. Review the specific requirements for your intended program to identify any supplemental materials needed for your application.

Watch for emails from your new program/department that may come to your TWU email address.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.