Ballet and Modern Dance

A Teacher Certification Program in Dance
Degree Requirements
Courses of Instruction

Available on the Master of Fine Arts degree.

Prerequisites:
A bachelor's degree in Dance or special permission is required. In addition to meeting the general entrance requirements as stated in the Graduate Studies Bulletin, admission to the M.F.A. program in Ballet or Modern Dance requires the following: an interview, an audition in advanced technique, a video or presentation of choreography, a writing sample, sophomore level credit in a foreign language, three letters of recommendation and a statement of professional experience and goals. Computer literacy is strongly recommended. The best prepared candidates will have 3-5 years of work in the field.

Dance Facilities: The Ballet and Modern Dance Building includes three large studios; two have balconies from which guests may observe classes. One of the studios is used to host informal performances. Drapes, lighting equipment and a sound system make this an effective performance space, and the lab environment invites experimentation. The Department possesses a computer lab; all studios are computer-ready and equipped wtih sound and video systems. The Body Work Lab has the latest Pilates-based conditioning equipment.

The Graduate Program in Ballet and Modern Dance
emphasizes performance, choreography and education. While providing strong technical training, performance skills and the development of choreographic talents, graduates are prepared to be educators and to assume leadership roles in the field.

A Teacher Certification Program in Dance is now available at TCU. This certification qualifies students to teach dance in secondary education (grades 6-12) in the state of Texas. The program targets TCU Ballet and Modern Dance majors. Students with previous dance training, currently majoring in other fields, may qualify. An intermediate level proficiency in technique is required for entrance. Students who complete this teacher training program will be qualified dance teachers who are technically proficient and theoretically informed. Certification provides graduates with marketable skills. Combining courses from the dance and education departments, TCU provides a thorough certification program which offers students excellent teacher preparation. (See School of Education: Initial Elementary or Secondary Certification.)

A dance cognate is available within the Masters in Education with a major in Educational Foundations.(See School of Education: Educational Foundations.)

Degree Requirements: The program requires 45 semester hours of course work, including the following minimum requirements:
60100 or 60200 Ballet or Modern Dance Technique (6 hrs.)
50130Teaching Methods (3 hrs.)
60130Dance Pedagogy (3 hrs.)
50150Choreography (3 hrs.)
60150Advanced Choreographic Studies (3 hrs.)
50160History of the Dance (3 hrs.)
60160Dance History: Issues & Analysis (3 hrs.)
50400Aesthetics of Dance (3 hrs.)
60900Research Methods (3 hrs.)
70980Projects (3 hrs.)
70990Thesis (3 hrs.)

To support individual areas of interest and meet educational goals, a minimum of nine additional hours of course work are selected in consultation with the faculty advisor. At least half of all course work, inclusive of thesis, must be at the 60000 level or higher. A grade of "C" in a graduate course will not be accepted toward satisfaction of degree requirements unless it is offset by a grade of "A" in another graduate course carrying the same number of credit hours. No more than two "C" grades can count toward graduation, but all grades of "C" will be used in GPA computation. A limited number of courses may be taken outside the Department of Ballet and Modern Dance with the approval of the faculty advisor. The department chair will have final approval. All graduate students will participate in departmental concerts as performers or as production support.

Six semester hours of transfer credit may be submitted for acceptance. Under special circumstances, additional hours may be considered subject to approval by the chair, the college dean and the dean of Graduate Studies.

A minimum residency of two semesters is required. For successful completion of the program, students will produce a concert, complete a written thesis and pass a final comprehensive oral examination.

NOTE:
Curriculum is currently under revision. Students are expected to check with their graduate advisors to determine available courses.

The following is a complete list of courses offered by this department. Go to Class Search to see which courses are being taught this semester.

 
Courses of Instruction

50100 BALLET TECHNIQUE.
Theory and practice of ballet. (3-6 sem. hrs.; 3 hrs. maximum per semester.)

50130 TEACHING METHODS.
Theory, methods and materials of teaching dance. (1-3 sem. hrs.; 9 hrs. maximum.)

50150 CHOREOGRAPHY.
Study and analysis of the elements of choreography. Creative assignments will be made specific to the students' individual program of study. (1-3 sem. hrs.)

50160 HISTORY OF THE DANCE.
Primitive to Renaissance; Renaissance to Modern. In-depth study and research project on a historical topic relevant to the individual program of study. (3 hrs. minimum.)

50183 SUPPORTED ADAGIO II.
Advanced techniques of partnering and supported adagio roles.

50200 MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE.
Theory and practice of modern dance. (3-6 sem. hrs.; 3 hrs. maximum per semester.)

50320 ADVANCED ENSEMBLE AND PERFORMANCE II.
Technique and ensemble traininq. (3-9 sem. hrs.; 3 hrs. maximum per semester.)

50400 AESTHETICS OF DANCE.
Discussion and reading concerning performance, choreography, pedagogy, criticism and/or research. (1-3 sem. hrs.)

60100 BALLET TECHNIQUE.
Advanced technique of ballet. (3-18 sem. hrs.; 3 hrs maximum per semester.)

60130 DANCE PEDAGOGY.
A course using both seminar and praxis formats addressing selected issues and their applications to dance instruction. (1-3 sem. hrs.; 9 hrs. maximum.)

60150 ADVANCED CHOREOGRAPHIC STUDIES.
Advanced study of choreographic concepts, techniques and applications. Course work includes research of style and form, development of choreographic material, and a public presentation of the work. (1-3 hrs per sem.; 9 hrs. maximum .)

60160 DANCE HISTORY: ISSUES & ANALYSIS.
Targeted study of developments in dance seen from social, anthropological, political, philosophical and/or artistic perspectives culminating in an in-depth project or research paper selected in consultation with instructor. (1-3 hrs. per sem.; 9 hrs. maximum.)

60200 MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE.
Advanced technique of modern dance. (3-18 sem. hrs.; 3 hrs. maximum per semester.)

60320 ENSEMBLE AND PERFORMANCE III.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Advanced technique and ensemble training. (3-9 sem. hrs.; 3 hrs. maximum per semester.)

60900 RESEARCH PROBLEMS IN THEATRE, BALLET AND/OR MODERN DANCE.
Individual study in theatre, ballet and/or modern dance. (1-9 sem. hrs.)

70980 PROJECTS.


70990 THESIS.