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 and 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, and 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.
See named options:
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 60 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 30 Credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 30 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/W-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA Required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| Other Grade Requirements | No other specific grade requirements. |
| Assessments and Examinations | Students must complete an MFA thesis. |
| Language Requirements | No language requirements. |
Required Courses
Select a Named Option for courses required.
Named Options
A named option is a formally documented sub-major within an academic major program. Named options appear on the transcript with degree conferral. Students pursuing the Master of Fine Arts in Dance must select one of the following named options:
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a range of familiarity with creative methodologies, i.e. improvisation, scoring, and apply them in flexible and adaptable ways to meet project and problem specific needs.
- Formulate an individual artistic vision in balance with critical analyses, historical perspectives, and curatorial lenses.
- Cultivate and practice collaborative skills across disciplines using a variety of synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication and collaboration.
- Investigate dance in diverse community settings and in social, cultural, political, and historical contexts, nationally, and internationally.
- Develop and practice a critical vocabulary for communicating about one’s own work and that of others.
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Dance
Accreditation status: The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).
The university secured NASD Plan Approval for the MFA-Dance program, which was authorized to enroll students in fall 2026. The university will seek Final Approval for Listing the program in accordance with NASD accreditation timeline guidance, which is when transcripts for at least two graduates from the degree are available.