Teaching Dance in the Professions (MA)

Department Website

Program Description

The MA program in Teaching Dance in the Professions The program prepares students for a career teaching dance in postsecondary and professional education settings such as studios, community colleges, outreach programs, and more. The program is This program is designed for established dancers and choreographers wishing to develop pedagogy and research skills as a complement to their artistry, as well as those currently teaching pre-K–12 who want to deepen their knowledge of theory and practice. The curriculum emphasizes the historical and cultural contexts from which to teach dance. Students examine dance for the purpose of developing as a research-informed and proficient teacher who possesses a balance between pedagogy, artistry, and research. A final research project is the culmination of the degree.

Concentrations

The program offers three concentrations:

General Track

The general track is intended for those who wish to teach in institutions of higher education or work as educational consultants and directors of education as well as teach in community settings and private studios.

American Ballet Theatre

Students intending to teach ballet in private studios, in conservatories, as teaching-artists, and in community settings may select a concentration in ballet pedagogy, offered in partnership with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). This concentration combines ballet pedagogy, research, and arts management course work with master classes in ballet technique. Students completing this concentration receive ABT teaching certification in Pre-Primary through Level 7 and Partnering in ABT's National Training Curriculum.

Dances of the African Diaspora

Students intending to teach in institutions of higher education, private studios, and community settings with a focus on African diaspora dance forms and scholarship may select this concentration. This concentration is an intensive study of the evolution of African American dance. It is ideal for established dancers and choreographers wishing to develop their pedagogy and research skills as a complement to their artistry, as well as current teachers who want to deepen their knowledge.

Admissions

Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:

• Résumé/CV
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• Proficiency in English

See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.

See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to each concentration:

• Teaching Dance in The Professions (General)
• American Ballet Theatre
• Dances of the African Diaspora

Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 30-36 credits, and students choose one of the following concentrations:

General Track

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
MPADE-GE 2265	Theory & Philosophy of Dance Education	3
MPADE-GE 2044	Movement Analysis	1
MPADE-GE 2610	Kaleidoscope Dancers I	1
MPADE-GE 2040	History, Culture & Pedagogy of Early American Modern Dance	2
MPADE-GE 2452	Teaching Creative Movement	2-3
MPADE-GE 2454	Open Structures & Guided Discovery in Dance Composition	2
MPADE-GE 2403	Research in Dance	3
MPADE-GE 2075	Applied Methods & Techniques of Teaching Dance	1-3
MPADE-GE 2611	Kaleidoscope Dancers II	1
MPADE-GE 2278	Dance Administration & Leadership in Higher Education & the Arts	3
MPADE-GE 2272		2
MPADE-GE 2805	Professional Development I	0
MPADE-GE 2806	Professional Development II	0
Culminating Experience
MPADE-GE 2509	Culminating Seminar in Dance Education	2
Internship
MPADE-GE 2273	Internship in Dance	1
Electives
Guided Electives		6-9
Total Credits		30-36

American Ballet Theatre

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
MPADE-GE 2265	Theory & Philosophy of Dance Education	3
MPADE-GE 2044	Movement Analysis	1
MPADE-GE 2610	Kaleidoscope Dancers I	1
MPADE-GE 2267	Theory/Method Ballet Pedagogy ABT Training Curriculum	4
MPADE-GE 2452	Teaching Creative Movement	2
MPADE-GE 2805	Professional Development I	0
MPADE-GE 2403	Research in Dance	3
MPADE-GE 2278	Dance Administration & Leadership in Higher Education & the Arts	3
MPADE-GE 2611	Kaleidoscope Dancers II	1
MPADE-GE 2268	Teaching Apprenticeship in Ballet Pedagogy	3
MPADE-GE 2272		2
MPADE-GE 2269	Adv Analysis & Teaching Apprenticeship in Ballet	4
Culminating Experience
MPADE-GE 2509	Culminating Seminar in Dance Education	2
Internship
MPADE-GE 2273	Internship in Dance	1
Electives
Guided Electives		0-6
Total Credits		30-36

Dances of the African Diaspora

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
MPADE-GE 2265	Theory & Philosophy of Dance Education	3
MPADE-GE 2601	Anthropology of Dance I	3
MPADE-GE 2610	Kaleidoscope Dancers I	1
MPADE-GE 2025	Hip Hop Dance Culture	1
MPADE-GE 2040	History, Culture & Pedagogy of Early American Modern Dance	2
MPADE-GE 2202	Afro-Caribbean Dance	2
MPADE-GE 2805	Professional Development I	0
MPADE-GE 2403	Research in Dance	3
MPADE-GE 2075	Applied Methods & Techniques of Teaching Dance	2
MPADE-GE 2611	Kaleidoscope Dancers II	1
MPADE-GE 2278	Dance Administration & Leadership in Higher Education & the Arts	3
MPADE-GE 2806	Professional Development II	0
MPADE-GE 2201	West African Dance	3
Community Building through Teaching, Creating, Performing: Dance Education in Uganda or Guided Elective		3
Culminating Experience
MPADE-GE 2509	Culminating Seminar in Dance Education	1
MPADE-GE 2300	Ind Study	1
Internship
MPADE-GE 2273	Internship in Dance	1
Electives
Guided Electives		0-6
Total Credits		30-36

Sample Plan of Study

General Track

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
MPADE-GE 2265	Theory & Philosophy of Dance Education	3
MPADE-GE 2044	Movement Analysis	1
MPADE-GE 2610	Kaleidoscope Dancers I	1
MPADE-GE 2040	History, Culture & Pedagogy of Early American Modern Dance	2
MPADE-GE 2452	Teaching Creative Movement	2
MPADE-GE 2454	Open Structures & Guided Discovery in Dance Composition	2
MPADE-GE 2805	Professional Development I	0
Guided Elective		1
	Credits	12
2nd Semester/Term
MPADE-GE 2403	Research in Dance	3
MPADE-GE 2075	Applied Methods & Techniques of Teaching Dance	2
MPADE-GE 2611	Kaleidoscope Dancers II	1
MPADE-GE 2806	Professional Development II	0
MPADE-GE 2278	Dance Administration & Leadership in Higher Education & the Arts	3
MPADE-GE 2272		2
Guided Elective		1
	Credits	12
3rd Semester/Term
MPADE-GE 2509	Culminating Seminar in Dance Education	1
MPADE-GE 2273	Internship in Dance	1
Guided Electives		4
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	30

American Ballet Theatre

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
MPADE-GE 2265	Theory & Philosophy of Dance Education	3
MPADE-GE 2044	Movement Analysis	1
MPADE-GE 2610	Kaleidoscope Dancers I	1
MPADE-GE 2267	Theory/Method Ballet Pedagogy ABT Training Curriculum	4
MPADE-GE 2452	Teaching Creative Movement	2
MPADE-GE 2805	Professional Development I	0
Guided Elective		1
	Credits	12
2nd Semester/Term
MPADE-GE 2403	Research in Dance	3
MPADE-GE 2278	Dance Administration & Leadership in Higher Education & the Arts	3
MPADE-GE 2611	Kaleidoscope Dancers II	1
MPADE-GE 2268	Teaching Apprenticeship in Ballet Pedagogy	3
MPADE-GE 2272		2
	Credits	12
3rd Semester/Term
MPADE-GE 2509	Culminating Seminar in Dance Education	1
MPADE-GE 2273	Internship in Dance	1
MPADE-GE 2269	Adv Analysis & Teaching Apprenticeship in Ballet	4
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	30

Dances of the African Diaspora

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
MPADE-GE 2265	Theory & Philosophy of Dance Education	3
MPADE-GE 2601	Anthropology of Dance I	3
MPADE-GE 2610	Kaleidoscope Dancers I	1
MPADE-GE 2025	Hip Hop Dance Culture	1
MPADE-GE 2040	History, Culture & Pedagogy of Early American Modern Dance	2
MPADE-GE 2202	Afro-Caribbean Dance	2
MPADE-GE 2805	Professional Development I	0
	Credits	12
2nd Semester/Term
MPADE-GE 2403	Research in Dance	3
MPADE-GE 2075	Applied Methods & Techniques of Teaching Dance	2
MPADE-GE 2611	Kaleidoscope Dancers II	1
MPADE-GE 2278	Dance Administration & Leadership in Higher Education & the Arts	3
MPADE-GE 2806	Professional Development II	0
MPADE-GE 2201	West African Dance	3
Community Building through Teaching, Creating, Performing: Dance Education in Uganda or Guided Elective		3
	Credits	15
3rd Semester/Term
MPADE-GE 2509	Culminating Seminar in Dance Education	1
MPADE-GE 2273	Internship in Dance	1
MPADE-GE 2300	Ind Study	1
	Credits	3
	Total Credits	30

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Critically evaluate, review, and put into practice varying educational models in order to develop your own teaching philosophies and skills.
2. Develop pedagogies for culturally relevant contexts and culturally diverse students.
3. Examine dance through a pedagogic lens to select and apply teaching and learning processes appropriate to various settings and populations.
4. Employ research methods to examine existing bases of information and create new knowledge in the field.
5. Develop pedagogical skills to promote and nurture artistic exploration and expression.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Steinhardt Academic Policies

Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.