Graduate Students
Questions? Please email the Director of Graduate Studies in Dance: gradance@hawaii.edu
Beginning Fall 2024, all degrees in our department will be in Theatre and Dance with specific Dance Concentrations. Dance Concentration Graduate Degrees:
MFA Theatre and Dance (Concentrations: Dance). Focus Areas: Hawai’i/Asia/Pacific Cultural Practices and Dance, Performance, Choreography, Screendance/New Media Installation (Plan B).
MA Theatre and Dance (Concentrations: Dance). Focus Areas: Performance Studies (Plan A) and Dance Education (Plan B).
The department’s graduate offerings in the Dance Concentration include the MA Plan A, the MA Plan B, and the MFA Plan B. The GRE is not required for admission to any of the master’s in dance program; for foreign students the minimum TOEFL score is 600. The MA Plan A requires a written thesis. In the MA Plan B, the candidate takes additional course work and develops a capstone project or paper. The MFA requires a Creative Project performance with an accompanying written document and photo/video portfolio. Dance candidates for all graduate degrees must demonstrate an adequate undergraduate background in dance or a related field, present a sample of written work such as a major paper,and submit three letters of recommendation sent directly to the dance program. MFA candidates in dance must also submit video samples of their choreography and performance.
The application deadline for the fall semester is February 1 (January 15 for foreign applicants). The spring semester application deadline is September 1 (August 1 for foreign applicants). Upon the successful completion of 12 graduate credit hours within the department, the elimination of any undergraduate deficiencies, and (for MFA students) the presentation of an acceptable example of creative work (the qualifying dance) the student may be admitted to candidacy.
Graduate Degrees
MA in Theatre and Dance: Dance Concentration (Focus Area: Performance Studies) Plan A
The MA in Theatre and Dance: Dance Concentration (Focus Area: Performance Studies) Plan A emphasizes research in performance studies in dance and requires a minimum of 30 credit hours. Following the completion of the MA Plan A students may apply for the Ph.D. in Theatre and Dance.
Sample Thesis Document
MA Dance Concentration, Performance Studies focus area – The Plan A thesis paper is a substantial original research project that is the focus of culminating graduate studies. The thesis experience is a multifaceted learning experience that includes both investigative inquiry, dance and performance research, and writing. The thesis manuscript is placed in the UH Library and is regarded as a public, and therefore published, document.
MA in Theatre and Dance: Dance Concentration (Focus Area: Education) Plan B
MA in Theatre and Dance: Dance Concentration (Focus Area: Education) Plan B emphasizes dance education and requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.
Sample Capstone
MA Dance Concentration, Dance Education focus area – The Plan B Dance Education focus area requires a final capstone project or paper, and presentation.
MFA in Theatre and Dance: Dance Concentration (Focus Areas: Hawai’i/Asia/Pacific Cultural Practices and Dance; Choreography; Performance; or Screendance/New Media Installation) Plan B
The MFA in Theatre and Dance: Dance concentration (Focus Areas: Hawai’i/Asia/Pacific Cultural Practices and Dance; Choreography, Performance; or Screendance/New Media Installation) Plan B allows flexibility for the graduate student to select any one of the Four Focus areas and requires a minimum of 60 credit hours.
Sample Culminating Creative Projects
MFA Dance Concentration, Hawai’i/Asia/Pacific Cultural Practices and Dance focus area –The Creative project must be an original creative research contribution through a public performance or other presentation.
MFA Dance Concentration, Choreography focus area – The Candidate’s Creative Project must present a substantial amount of newly-produced group choreography that is work produced for the first time in a fully produced concert. The Candidate must perform in the concert.
MFA Dance Concentration, Performance focus area –The Performance Creative Project must include dance performance(s) executed by the candidate, of which must include three different dance productions, choreographies, and choreographers during degree residency at UHM. Additionally, the candidate must perform a significant live solo performance choreographed by another choreographer.
MFA Dance Concentration, Screendance/New Media Installation Focus Area –The Screendance Creative Project culminates in the making of a dance film. The New Media Dance Installation culminates in a live performance incorporating digital media. The candidate is responsible for seeing that all aspects of the pre-production, production, post-production, choreography, performance, media, and documentation are carried through.
All Creative Projects must demonstrate concrete dance genre expertise, guided by a practitioner, consultant, and/or community of practice of the specified dance genre lineage. Final documentation includes a portfolio comprised of an essay and photos and videos of the Performance as Research process.
Prospective Students
How To Apply
Graduate Dance Programs at UHM include both Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Arts (MA) degree concentrations. Students who already have completed an undergraduate degree, or who are not admitted to a regular classified graduate program, or who wish to take some courses in dance without specifically working towards a degree, may apply for admission as an unclassified graduate student. Credits earned as an unclassified graduate student may later be applied towards a classified degree program. Please consult the General Online Catalog for the current limitations to the number of such credits that may be applied, as well as for complete application and degree information.
Application Deadlines
*For Fall Semester Priority Admission: Jan. 15
*For Spring Semester Priority Admission: August 15
*Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis and may be submitted after the priority deadlines.
Step 1: Application to UHM
- Complete the online Graduate Admissions Application Form. See the Graduate Admissions page for information and the link to the application (“Submitting Your Application”).
- Pay the application fee. Note that the Graduate Division does not grant waivers of this fee.
- Request that official copies of all post-secondary transcripts be sent directly to Graduate Student Services. See the Graduate Admissions page for information and the link to the application (“Documentation Requirements”).
Please note the Dance program does not require a GRE score.
If you are an international applicant, please consult the International Students graduate website. You are also responsible for the following:
-
- Official language proficiency scores sent directly to Graduate Student Services (see address above). See Proficiency information here.
- Financial Information Form
- Additional admissions requirements.
Please check the Graduate Division website for more information, deadlines, and updates.
Step 2: Additional Departmental Requirements
Applicants for all graduate programs in Dance should upload or request most Step 2 application materials via the Office of Graduate Education Supplemental upload website.
You may also watch a video tutorial on how to use the upload website.
Departmental Admissions Checklist for the Dance Concentration
Required:
- Three Letters of Recommendation (request from your recommenders via Supplemental Upload website)
- Theatre and Dance Graduate Express Form (please fill out this Google Forms link)
- Statement of Objectives (Please upload to Graduate Division Supplemental upload website, using UPLOAD Feature. For Category, choose “Statement of Objective.”)
- Unofficial scans of all post-secondary transcripts (Please upload to Graduate Division Supplemental upload website, using UPLOAD Feature. For Category, choose “Unofficial Transcripts.” Important: you must also send official copies directly to Graduate Student Services as noted above for your application to be complete.)
- CV/Resume
- An example of written work, such as a major paper (all applicants)
- Links to audition video samples showing solo and group choreography and performance skills (only for MFA Dance Concentration applicants)
Optional but highly recommended:
- Apply for Graduate Achievement Scholarships (optional but strongly recommended for all applications) Please fill out the Graduate Achievement Scholarship Application via this Google Forms application link. Please fill out no later than Oct. 1 for spring semester, and Feb. 1 for Fall semester; earlier applications encouraged.
- Apply for Graduate Assistantships (optional) Please fill out the Graduate Employment Application via this Google Forms application link. Priority deadlines: Oct. 1 for spring semester openings, Feb. 1 for Fall semester openings. Earlier applications encouraged; applications will be accepted until positions are filled.
The Graduate Division and/or the Director of Dance will notify applicants of the admission decision.
Current Students
Helpful Links
- Graduate Dance Handbook (taken offline for ADA remediation)
- UHM Graduate Division Website
- UHM Graduate Division: Dance
- UH Mānoa Catalog
- Theatre and Dance Course Catalog
- Dance Course Descriptions
- Class Availability Listings
- Graduate Financial Aid Info
Click here for information on cost of tuition at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa:
http://manoa.hawaii.edu/records/tuition_fees/tuition.html
For General Financial Aid Information: http://www.hawaii.edu/fas/
For General Scholarship Information: http://www.hawaii.edu/fas/info/scholarships.php
To apply for UHM scholarships and other possible funding opportunities:
https://www.star.hawaii.edu:10012/Scholarship_live/login.jsp
For Foreign Language And Area Studies (Flas) Fellowships:
http://www.cseashawaii.org/students/scholarships/flas
East-West Center scholarships:
http://www.eastwestcenter.org/education/student-programs
College of Arts and Humanities Scholarship Opportunities:
http://www.hawaii.edu/arthum/?page_id=44
As well as the Graduate Achievement Scholarship and Graduate Employment Opportunities referenced under “Step 2” above.
Dept. of Theatre + Dance
1770 East-West Rd Honolulu HI 96822
Main Office: (808) 956-7677
Box Office: (808) 956-7655
