Candidates must apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School and select the MFA in Dance option.
At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the MFA in Dance fosters choreographic research and creative inquiry at the highest level, spanning stage, screen, community spaces, and beyond. Through individual movement research, collaborative experimentation, and interdisciplinary dialogue, students develop unique artistic processes that build bridges across disciplines and contribute to dance as a cultural and intellectual asset.
The Dance Department offers a Master of Fine Arts in Dance with two named options:
1) Screendance
2) Creative Research, Culture, and Practice.
This is a 60-credit, 2-year program with a summer term between academic years.
Both named options share a 28-credit core curriculum, with an additional 23 credits specific to each named option. The remaining 9 credits allow students flexibility to tailor their studies to their individual interests.
The curriculum emphasizes collaborative projects, interdisciplinary learning, and community engagement, as well as direct research opportunities with faculty. Students will explore dance in various social, cultural, political, and historical contexts, both nationally and internationally, fostering real-world applications of their artistic practice.
The MFA thesis research project—whether a suite of screendance works, choreographic compositions, or hybrid dance-based projects—is developed through a scaffolded curriculum and faculty mentorship, culminating in a final presentation by the end of the candidate’s study.
This program prepares students to be curious, open-minded, focused, and interdisciplinary, equipping them to thrive in academic, artistic, and professional settings. Graduate students will be equipped with theoretical tools, technical strategies, performance skills, and creative methodologies to innovate in dance. Upon graduation, our students will emerge ready to navigate and contribute to a rapidly evolving global arts landscape, where dance plays a vital role in addressing cultural, social, and technological shifts.