Applicable only to students admitted during the 2012-2013 academic year.

World Arts and Cultures/Dance

School of the Arts and Architecture

Graduate Degrees

The Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance offers the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree in Dance and the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Culture and Performance.

Admission

Program Name

Dance

Address

Glorya Kaufman Hall
120 Westwood Plaza, Suite 150
Box 951608
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1608 

Phone

(310) 825-8537 

Email

hsafonov@arts.ucla.edu  

Leading to the degree of

M.F.A. 

Admission Limited to

Fall

Exceptions only in special cases. 

Deadline to apply

December 1st 

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: Not required 

Letters of Recommendation 

3 

Other Requirements

In addition to the University's minimum requirements and those listed above, the department has its own screening procedure which includes an audition and a personal interview. The audition evaluates applicants' creative potential and technical proficiency with consideration toward applicants' primary focus.

Applicants to the M.F.A. program must demonstrate exceptional promise in choreography. Auditioners show three works. Applicants are required to prepare a statement (no more than one page) describing the works shown. Applicants should contact the program for specific guidelines. 

Master's Degree

Advising

At the time of admission, students are assigned a faculty academic adviser from the faculty in their selected specialization. Advisers may be changed if the student changes specializations. Students meet with their faculty academic adviser each quarter to plan their program of study for the subsequent quarter. Progress is assessed periodically by the faculty. Successful completion of the first-year curriculum, including all prerequisites, determines whether students may continue in the program.

Areas of Study

The M.F.A. degree is designed for students who wish to pursue a professional choreographic career. Students are encouraged to investigate theories of culture and performance as they relate to creative work. Interests in interculturalism and multi-disciplinarity also are encouraged. These interests may be pursued in consultation with the faculty academic advisers.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Beyond basic requirements, course requirements vary and are determined under the direction of faculty advisers. Students must be registered and enrolled in a minimum of 12 units each quarter unless they are on official leave of absence.

A total of 72 units is required for the degree. There are three areas of coursework, not including electives, and the minimum units for each of these areas are:

(1) Creative practice - 20 units (World Arts and Cultures 211A-F, 490)
(2) Theoretical/critical studies seminars - 12 units (World Arts and Cultures 200-series courses)
(3) Production/practicum experience - 12 units (production/design courses, World Arts and Cultures 441)
(4) Electives in all areas (e.g., education, dance science/movement studies, internship, field work, movement practices) - 28 units

Students are expected to be actively engaged in movement practice(s) throughout their studies. The 72 units of coursework required for the degree must include a minimum of 32 units of graduate and professional courses (200 and 400 series). Only four units of World Arts and Cultures 596A may be applied toward the degree. These four units of 596A may be applied toward the 72 units required for the degree, and must be designed in consultation with the faculty adviser.

Teaching Experience

Teaching experience is not a requirement. However, it is highly recommended for those who plan to teach in their area of specialization.

Field Experience

Not required but engagement with the community is encouraged.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

A preliminary examination evaluated by a faculty committee is required. The preliminary examination consists of a research paper, a written proposal of the student's final project and presentation of the proposed works. The research paper is completed prior to submission of the written proposal and presentation. The written proposal must include fundamental concepts, objectives, and production plans for the final project. Students may obtain specific guidelines for the completion of the research paper, written proposal, and the presentation from the department.

After passing the preliminary examination, a three-member M.F.A. comprehensive examination committee is selected to advise students in developing the final project. Students may obtain specific guidelines for nominating the comprehensive examination committee from the department. The student is advanced to candidacy when the required coursework is completed and all portions of the preliminary examination are passed. Students are allowed one year after advancement to candidacy to complete their M.F.A. comprehensive examination (final project). Choreographers prepare a major concert in the third year, or a series of concerts. An oral defense of the concert material is held with the M.F.A. comprehensive examination committee.

A written production book with analysis and critique must be completed after the performance(s). Students may obtain specific guidelines from the department. The production book is filed in the department archives along with a videotape of the candidate's final project.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Time-to-degree is seven to nine quarters. The number of required quarters is dependent on the student's need to complete prerequisites or additional coursework on choreographic investigations.

PAGE 2 -- Culture and Performance