Graduate Students
Questions? Please email the Director of Dance Dr. Jhalak Miller: jhalak.miller@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: Performance, Choreography, Screendance, Hawai’i/Asia/Pacific Dance and Culture. (Plan B).
MA Theatre and Dance (Concentrations: Dance). (Plan A) and (Plan B).
The department’s graduate offerings in dance include the MA Plan A, the MA Plan B, and the MFA. 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 Plan B, the candidate takes additional course work and develops a capstone project or paper. The MFA requires a performance and choreography thesis with an accompanying written document. 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 department. 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 Dance Plan A (Emphasis in Performance Studies)
The MA in Dance Plan A emphasizes research in performance studies in dance. The MA Plan A requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, including DNCE 617, 651, 652, 654 or 655, 673, and 700 (6 credit hours); 3 credit hours in 400-level Asian or Pacific performance courses; related area electives (6 credit hours); dance electives (3 credit hours); and general electives (3 credit hours). All electives must relate to thesis research. Candidates must pass a reading or speaking proficiency exam in a foreign language relevant to their area of thesis research or must satisfactorily complete four semesters of a language relevant to their area of thesis research. Following the MA in Dance (Performance Studies) plan students may apply for the Ph.D. in Theatre (Performance Studies).
MA in Dance Plan B (Emphasis in Education)
MA in Dance Plan B emphasizes dance education and requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, including DNCE 651, 652, 691, 693, and 659 or 699; 9 credit hours from 321, 331, 421, 431; 3 credit hours in 300- to 400-level Asian or Pacific dance courses; and 9 credit hours of electives (3 credits at the 600 level).
MFA in Dance
The MFA in Dance emphasizes performance and choreography. The MFA Plan A requires a minimum of 60 credit hours, including DNCE 421 or 431 (18 credit hours); DNCE 651, 652, 660, 671, 672 (4 credit hours), and 673; DNCE 679 (2 credit hours), 691, and 700 (6 credit hours); 2 credit hours in two different Asian or Pacific dance forms; 3 credit hours in 600-level dance electives; 6 credit hours in non-dance electives; and 1 credit hour in a general elective. MFA candidates must participate in two dance productions a year and register to attend a technique course each semester. Qualifying choreography on student concert is required prior to proposing the thesis.
MFA Plan A and MA Plan B require written comprehensive examinations and an oral defense of the examination. MA Plan A and MFA Plan A require an oral defense of the thesis.
Prospective Students
How To Apply
Graduate Dance Programs at UHM include both Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Arts (MA) degrees. 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 admission: Jan. 15
For Spring semester admission: August 15
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:
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- 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
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.)
- A typed (double-spaced) example of written work, such as a major paper of 15-20 pages (all applicants)
- Links to audition video samples showing solo and group choreography and performance skills (only for MFA 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
