Master of Fine Arts in Dance

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.

Foreign Language Requirement
None.

Course Requirements
Beyond basic requirements, course requirements vary and are determined under the direction of faculty advisers. A minimum course load is 12 units per quarter. Students must be registered and enrolled full time at all times unless they are on an official leave of absence.

A total of 72 units distributed as follows:

There are three areas of course work that students undertake, not including electives, and the minimum units for each of these clusters are as follows:

It is expected that students are actively engaged in movement practice(s) throughout their studies. The required 72 units for the degree must include a minimum of 32 units of coursework at the graduate (200 and 400) level. Only four units of WAC 596A, Independent Study or Research, may be applied toward the degree. The four units of coursework at the 500 level may be applied toward the 72 units required for the degree, and must be designed in consultation with the faculty advisor.

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

Comprehensive Examination Plan for the M.F.A.
A preliminary examination evaluated by a faculty panel 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, depending on their proposed project. 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 should 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.

Time-To-Degree
Time-to-degree is seven to nine quarters. The number of required quarters is dependent upon the student's need to complete prerequisites or conduct additional course work on choreographic investigations.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination
University Policy
A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

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