The University of Arizona
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How to Apply - Graduate Students

Applying

To apply for admission for the graduate program, the candidate must have extensive dance training, hold an undergraduate degree and meet the minimum requirements of the UA Graduate College.

For application materials and deadlines for admission see the School of Dance website or contact one of the Graduate Advisers, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Admission

  1. Students will be admitted to enter graduate studies who meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate College and the School of Dance including:
    1. Demonstrated advanced level in technique in ballet, modern or jazz dance.
    2. Have completed at least one year of dance composition, achieving a grade of “B” or higher; or at least two professional compositions that have been publicly presented
    3. Have completed at least one year of Dance or Drama theatre production, achieving a grade of “B” or higher; or at least 2 years of professional experience
    4. Have competed at least one course each in:
      1. Music history/literature, music for dance, or two years of applied music study
      2. Kinesiology/biomechanics
      3. Aesthetics of dance or the arts or in dance ethnology/anthropology
      4. Dance history
    5. The students must fulfill deficiencies in any course subject areas at the undergraduate level during the first year of study. These courses will not be counted in the student’s plan of study. Students may be admitted to regular graduate status with up to 12 unit hours of deficiencies.
  2. All students applying for admission to the program of study must also meet qualitative standards determined by the dance faculty including:
    1. Review of three confidential letters of recommendation
    2. Review of the applicant’s performance or choreographic work
    3. Review of the student’s written statement of purpose (see blelow)
    4. On-site audition
  3. Criteria for admission to the program of study are based on the quantitative and qualitative requirements listed above, and admission will be determined according to
    1. Each student’s demonstrated expertise in performance or choreography
    2. Evidence of self-motivated professional experience in the field
    3. Potential for successful completion of the degree at the University of Arizona
    4. Personal maturity, independence and academic and artistic integrity.

Scheduling Auditions and Interviews

Graduate students who plan to audition for the graduate program must first submit all application materials including an application, statement of purpose, resume and three confidential letters of recommendation.

After the Dance Graduate Committee has reviewed the application materials, the candidate may be invited to submit a videotape or DVD of their current work. Following review of the DVD or videotape, the candidate may be invited to the university for an on-site interview and audition.

There are two national audition dates: one in the fall and one in the spring. Contact the department for specific dates. Students are strongly urged to audition during one of these two times.

Prospective students may schedule an individual audition/interview during the fall or spring semester if it is completely impossible for them to attend the national audition. Appointments cannot be made over Thanksgiving break, winter break, and spring break or after classes have ended for the year. The last day of classes for the academic year is in the first week of May.

Graduate tuition and fees remain among the lowest in the country at the University of Arizona. The School of Dance offers graduate support in the form of Teaching Assistantships, Graduate College Fellowships and Graduate Tuition Scholarships. Graduate Teaching Assistantships include a stipend, health insurance, reduction in tuition and an out-of-state tuition waiver.

UA Graduate Admissions Information and Application

School of Dance Graduate Programs

Guidelines for Preparing the Statement of Purpose

Your statement of purpose must be typed and can be one or two pages in length. The statement should address each of the following:

  • Brief biography of yourself and a description of your work.
  • Why do you wish to attend graduate school?
  • As you begin your graduate program, what are your artistic and/or scholarly goals?
  • How do you think our graduate program will assist you in achieving these goals?
  • What skills and knowledge can you contribute to the University of Arizona School of Dance?