Master of Fine Arts - M.F.A.

5 women dancing in various poses
Photo by Jesse Scroggins.

Master of Fine Arts in Dance Program

Our master of fine arts in dance degree program will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as a professional in the competitive field of contemporary dance. As you develop, implement and expand your artistic vision and goals, you will have many opportunities to engage critically while exploring innovative formats, venues and creative processes as a choreographer, performer, researcher, writer and leader.

Admission requirements

Admission Requirements for the M.F.A. in Dance

Program Contact 

Professor Jordan Fuchs
940-898-2769
jfuchs@twu.edu

Application Deadlines

December 15

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 Interest and Objectives, (300-500 words) which includes your professional goals; your previous artistic, academic, and career experience related to those goals; and the importance of graduate study in the TWU Department of Dance MFA Program to the pursue of your professional goals.
    • Please feel free to reference the TWU Department of Dance website for information on the MFA Program in Dance course work and on the Dance Department faculty and their research areas in your statement.
  3. Writing sample such as a research paper from an undergraduate or graduate dance theory course, description of workshops, publicity packet materials or other promotional materials.
    • YouTube, Vimeo, or website link to a video portfolio of artistic work including performance and choreography excerpts and at least one full-length work choreographed 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. All applicants must 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.

How to Apply

Begin by finding your program in TWU's Program, Majors & Degrees listings to see if your program has additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  (This information is for all programs. The application deadline for your specific program will be listed in the Program Requirements.  Use that deadline as it applies below.  (Example: if a program only admits once a year and has a Fall deadline for 2023 of March 1, you would need to be looking to apply to the next deadline for Fall 2024.)

  1. Apply online.
    Apply to Graduate Programs according to the start semester and application portals below:
    • Spring 2024 - All programs apply via ApplyTexas EXCEPT applicants to the College of Business, Child Life, or Child Development master's programs or the Child Development and Early Education PhD program who should apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal.
      • Note: When applying through ApplyTexas, you will need to submit any required Documents directly to the program website.
    • Summer & Fall 2024 - All graduate programs apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal. Required documents will be asked for and uploaded into the application.

  2. Pay the application fee.
    The $50 fee, ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants can be paid by:
    • Credit card - Online through the portal you applied on (either ApplyTexas or TWU's Online Graduate Application).
    • Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 301 Research Circle, Room 220; Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
    • Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (2nd floor of GRB).
    • Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar application Fee waiver. Submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission Form.

  3. 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.
    • 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 Admission website for more details.

For more information on graduate admissions or to contact an admissions official, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

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

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Page last updated 10:23 AM, September 6, 2023