Graduate dance admission
We invite you to apply to one of our graduate dance programs.
This application process is for both the MFA in Dance and the MFA in Interdisciplinary Digital Media and Performance. Please pay close attention to the application deadlines.
Application deadlines:
Feb. 1: ASU University application and Dance application final deadline. All application materials must be submitted by this date.
Mar. 1: Dance interview final deadline. Admission decision letters will be sent in mid to late March.
The ASU university application and dance application will open for Fall 2025 admission on September 1, 2024.
1. Apply to ASU Graduate Admissions
Prepare the following for your Graduate Admission Application:
- Non-refundable application fee.
- Institutional history: Attendance dates and degree information for all institutions previously attended.
- Grade Point Average (on a 4.0 scale): Undergraduate, junior/senior and, if applicable, graduate GPAs.
- Submit transcripts and test scores to ASU Graduate Admission Services.
- Official transcripts: Sealed hardcopy or electronic transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework must be sent directly to ASU Graduate Admission Services. Please follow all instructions here. All international transcripts must be submitted in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and must be translated by a university, government official or official translation service. If an email is requested to send your transcripts, please send to gradtranscripts@asu.edu.
- Proof of English Proficiency (non-native English-speaking applicants only). Please review minimum score requirements on the website.
- Please apply to ASU well ahead of the application deadline of Feb. 1. It will take you a few days to receive your login information for step 2 below.
2. Submit the MFA Dance Application
All items for the MFA Dance application must be submitted by Feb. 1. The application for each admission year will be available in September. You must apply to ASU Graduate Admissions (step 1) before beginning your dance application (step 2). You will need your ASU login information from step 1 in order to complete step 2.
Help with ASU Login Information
Follow the instructions on the ASURITE Activation Page to activate your ASU login and set your password. Then, log in to My.asu.edu. Once you've successfully logged in to your ASU account, you will be able to use the same login information to log in to the MDT application portal. Email MDTadmissions@asu.edu for assistance.
If you encounter an error while trying to log in to the MDT application portal despite successfully logging in to My ASU, please wait 48-72 hours for your information to be updated across all ASU platforms and try again.
Prepare the following items for your dance application:
Upload a personal statement that articulates why you are interested in pursuing an MFA in Dance from Arizona State University and what goals you have for graduate school. Also address why you feel you are a good fit for the program, what you might contribute to the community, and what experiences in dance and life have prepared you to be successful as an ASU MFA Dance candidate. The personal statement should be approximately 600 to 1,200 words in length.
Upload a Vimeo or YouTube link to a teaching sample listed in the personal statement and resume or CV. The teaching sample should be a 7-10 minute movement experience focused on any form in which you have expertise and are interested in furthering while at ASU. You should be prepared to discuss the pedagogical inspirations for the teaching sample, the main objective(s) of the learning experience, and the key movement and artistic concepts addressed in the class during your virtual interview. Participants in the sample teaching experience may come from any population with which you work.
Upload a Vimeo or YouTube link to examples of recent dance movement work, including one solo piece and a group piece or other relevant creative work listed in your personal statement and resume. At least one of your creative work samples should clearly demonstrate your movement style and facilities. Creative work samples can be anything from a short piece of choreography, an example of a particular movement form, a self-devised sequence, an improvisational score, or anything you feel best conveys your relationship to movement. You should be prepared to discuss your submitted creative work samples and how these relate to your experiences and interests in dance during the virtual interview.
Upload your current resume.
Provide contact information for three references. Please do not submit letters from relatives or close friends and do not submit on your own behalf. *Applicant is responsible for following up with references for timely submission and receipt.
3. Complete an interview (virtually or in person)
The interview process is used to determine entrance into the School of Music, Dance and Theatre MFA in Dance program at Arizona State University, as well as eligibility for available scholarships and teaching assistantship opportunities. The application materials and interview process will allow you to demonstrate your understanding and abilities in the areas of artistry, movement facility, creativity, communication and teaching.
All interviews may be conducted virtually or in person and will be scheduled shortly after the application deadline. A member of the selection committee will contact you via the email address provided in your application with your interview date and time.
Prepare for your interview: you will participate in a 30-45 minute virtual or in-person interview with an individual member of the program selection committee. Plan to discuss why you chose to apply to the dance program, your history and interest in dance, long term professional aspirations and what you might contribute to the dance program. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your application materials.
The deadline for your interview is March 1.
Decision letters and scholarships
Letters for fall admission will be sent in late March. Applicants are automatically considered for scholarships and teaching assistantships and, if admitted, applicants will be notified of scholarship awards at the time of admission.