Graduate Program

Degrees Offered

  • Master of Arts in Theatre and Dance (M.A.)
    Concentrations: Dance History and Criticism; Dramatic Writing; Theatre Education and Outreach.
  • Master of Fine Arts in Dance (M.F.A.)
  • Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing (M.F.A.)

Time Limit for Completion of Degree

All work toward an M.A. or M.F.A. degree in the department (including course work transferred from another institution) must be completed within a five-year period. This time is calculated by counting back from the planned semester of graduation.


Admission Information

All questions should be directed to: (505) 277-4332
(calls are directed to appropriate advisor)
FAX (505) 277-8921
e-mail: theatre@unm.edu or dance@unm.edu

Admission Deadlines

Semester Domestic Applicants International Applicants
Fall: April 15 May 1
Spring: None accepted  
Summer: None Accepted  

The deadline for Financial Aid consideration is February 1.

To receive an early response, applicants are encouraged to submit a complete application as early as possible.

International applicants require additional materials and are processed through The University of New Mexico’s International Admissions Office. Call (505) 277-5829 or e-mail: goglobal@unm.edu for more information.

Programs in the Theatre and Dance department are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).

To enter the program, the student should have completed an undergraduate major in theatre or dance or have taken a minimum of 24 credit hours in Theatre and/or Dance, including History, Criticism, Dramatic Literature, Directing, Playwriting, Choreography, Technical Theatre and Performance. However, students with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines are eligible for admittance. Contact the department for information.

The student applying for admission should obtain a Self-Managed Application from the Office of Admissions:
Call: (505) 277-4332
Online application form

Other application materials required by the department:

  • Letter of Intent clearly expressing your ability to undertake graduate studies
  • Three letters of recommendation

  • M.A. in Theatre and Dance
    • Unbound Academic Writing Sample (10-20 pages)
  • M.F.A. in Dance
    • Unbound Academic Writing Sample (10-20 pages)
    • A resume of educational and professional dance experience
    • 5 minute VHD or Web link of choreography or performance
  • M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing 
    • A full-length stage play (60-100 pages)

Master of Arts in Theatre and Dance

  • Concentrations: Dance History and Criticism; Dramatic Writing; Theatre Education and Outreach.

The department of Theatre and Dance offers the Master of Arts in Theatre and Dance (M.A.) for the student preparing for teaching, practice, or further graduate study. In general, the focus of the program is the creation of new works of theatre and dance for stage and classroom, and development of research skills.

The M.A. in Theatre and Dance with a concentration in Dance History and Criticism is a two-year degree that allows students to explore the range of dance studies. From historic reconstruction to contemporary performance theory, students are involved in intensive discussion and rigorous training in the practice of research and writing about dance. The program serves as a preparation for doctoral studies. Students in the Dance History and Criticism concentration have continued to Ph.D. programs at UC Riverside, University of Arizona, University of Surrey and other national and international institutions. Students in the concentration undertake their studies in a vibrant dance program that also emphasizes performance and choreography in contemporary dance and flamenco. All of these factors make for a unique graduate experience.

Required Courses

The purpose of the required courses for the Master of Arts degree is to provide a common conceptual framework for all graduate students in the program. The required courses aim to strengthen critical and practical skills that support and guide students' direction and concentration in the remainder of the program and beyond.

Credit
Hours
DANC 500
-or-
THEA 500
Introduction to Graduate Study

Introduction to Graduate Studies
3
THEA 503 Performance Theory 3
THEA 506 Critical Issues in the Performing Arts 3


Concentration Requirements

Credit
Hours
Dance concentration in Dance History and Criticism
Required core: DANC 500 and either DANC 503 or 506 6
Dance requirements: 6 credit hours from DANC 562, 563, 564, 566 6
DANC 531 Criticism 3
Electives related to concentration 9
Thesis 6
Total 30
Theatre concentration in Dramatic Writing or Theatre Education and Outreach  
Plan I (Thesis):  
Required core: THEA 500, 503, and 506 9
Electives related to concentration 15
THEA 599 Master's Thesis (minimum credit hours) 6
Total 30
Plan II (Essay):  
Required core: THEA 500, 503, and 506 9
Electives related to concentration 15
THEA 598 Master's Essay in Theatre and Dance 3
Other electives 6
Total 33


Plan I: Master’s Thesis

This is the traditional M.A. program, and culminates in the writing of a formal Thesis, a work of original research and writing (typically, 60-85 pages) that explores in depth a particular, carefully delimited subject related to the student’s area of study. Plan I is especially recommended for students who intend to eventually pursue a Ph.D. The thesis must be written in the UNM Graduate Studies format.

Plan II: Master’s Essay and Creative Project

Plan II does not require a Thesis, but does require both a substantial Creative Project (usually, this means directing a full-length performance or project in the department, the schools or community, as well as a Master’s Essay. The Master’s Essay is intended to conform to the standards of a major seminar paper or journal article, including careful organization, clarity of argument, original research with full citation, bibliography, typically 30-50 pages in length. The Master’s Essay may address a topic related to the Creative Project, but this is not absolutely necessary. Plan II also includes a written exam, taken during the student’s final semester in the program.

Plan II: Master’s Exam

The Master’s Exam is conducted by a faculty committee of three. The supervisor of the student’s Master’s Essay normally serves as chairperson of the committee and the other two members are chosen in consultation with the student. The subject matter of the examination questions is taken from the particular program of studies followed by the student. The subject matter of the Master’s Essay must be included in the examination questions. Usually the exam is written; the committee may elect, however, to conduct some portion of the exam orally. The length of the exam is three credit hours. Each member of the committee conducting the exam submits at least one question.


Master of Fine Arts in Dance

The Master of Fine Arts in Dance (M.F.A.) is a three-year terminal degree program that serves a select population of emerging artists pursuing a future in performance, choreography, and teaching, with focus areas in Choreography and/or Performance. The program promotes the growth and development of artistic achievement balanced with scholarship, accepting only students who show artistic excellence and who demonstrate exceptional potential for future progress. The M.F.A. dissertation in Dance consists of an evening concert of original choreography and an accompanying written dissertation.

Required Courses

  Credit
Hours
Graduate Core:
DANC 500 Introduction to Graduate Study 3
THEA 503 Performance Theory 3
THEA 506 Critical Issues in the Performing Arts  3
Dance Core:  
DANC 510
-or-
DANC 579
Creative Investigations I

Flamenco Choreography
3
DANC 511 Choreography II 3
DANC 515 Creative Investigations II 3
DANC 516 Dance Pedagogy 3
DANC 549 Dance Technique for Graduate Students 24
DANC 531, 562, 563, 564, or 566 Dance History or Dance Criticism 3
DANC 699 Dissertation 6
Electives:  
  Six credit hours graduate electives in the student's area of interest 6
  Total 60

Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing

For the student preparing to enter the profession of writing for the stage and media the department offers the Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing (M.F.A.). The focus of the program is the creation of new work for the stage, the media and the classroom.

Required Courses

  Credit
Hours
Graduate Core:
THEA 500 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
THEA 503 Performance Theory 3
THEA 506 Critical Issues in the Performing Arts 3
  Subtotal 9
Writing Core:  
THEA 555 Dramatic Writing I 8
THEA 556 Dramatic Writing II 8
THEA 557 The Writer's Stage III 8
THEA 558 Screenwriting 6
THEA 559 Topics in Dramatic Writing 6
  Subtotal 36
Elective Courses 9
THEA 699 Dissertation 6
  Minimum credit hours required for degree 60

Qualifying Review

After completing 20 credit hours of graduate credit the student submits all writing completed since entering the program. A committee of review with three to five members is appointed by the department’s graduate committee. This committee is composed of individuals with expertise in writing both in and outside the department. To continue in the second year of the M.F.A. program, all students must receive a pass on the promise of their writing. Students are notified before the start of the Fall semester. The review is the occasion for a comprehensive review of the student’s work to that point and a frank evaluation of his or her promise in the profession. Three options are open to the M.F.A. Graduate Committee at this point: 1) continuation in the M.F.A. program; 2) dismissal from the graduate program; or 3) the committee may request the work be resubmitted after addressing a specific set of concerns. Resubmissions must be completed and reconsidered before the beginning of the Fall semester. Students may have a maximum of two attempts to pass this review.

Advancement to Candidacy and Comprehensive Examination

After successfully completing 30 credit hours of graduate work, including completion of one full cycle of the writing core: 555, 556 and 557, all students take a comprehensive examination at the end of their fourth semester of study. This examination covers the areas of knowledge explored in the required core courses. Once the Comprehensive Examination is passed the student submits the Application for Candidacy to Graduate Studies. If approved, the Dean of Graduate Studies formally advances the student to Candidacy.

Requirements for Graduation

The Master of Fine Arts degree requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of work, no more than 24 of which can be transferred from other programs–either from within the University of New Mexico or elsewhere. In addition, the candidate must have:

  1. completed no fewer than 42 graduate credit hours in residency at the University of New Mexico;
  2. completed 9 credit hours of a "core" curriculum, plus the remainder of the recommended sequence within the program and passed a Comprehensive Examination on the "core" curriculum;
  3. completed a minimum of six complete scripts to the satisfaction of the M.F.A. Committee;
  4. have at least three scripts produced in a forum suitable to the M.F.A. Committee. These might include: Concert Readings; The Writer's Stage; Experimental Theatre Series; University Theatre season productions (at the University of New Mexico or elsewhere); Professional Productions.

M.F.A. Dissertation

The M.F.A. Dissertation is the major work, full length play or screenplay written in the final year of the candidate’s program. It is written in the course of the final year’s work in 555 and 556. The Dissertation work must be presented in 557 Writer’s Stage in the final semester in a public presentation which can take the form of a staged concert reading or, given questions of merit and availability of facilities, a more comprehensive presentation.

The play or screenplay must be accompanied by an essay that addresses such topics as the creative process which lies behind the work’s development, the research done for the Dissertation work, and presents an analysis of the issues and meaning embodied in the Dissertation work.

In addition to the Dissertation work the successful M.F.A. candidate must complete the following works to graduate: four scripts (two full length plays, one full length screenplay, one short screen or stage piece).


Courses

DANC 105. Dance Appreciation. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 110. Modern Dance I. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



DANC 127. African Dance I. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 132. Jazz I. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



DANC 149. Ballet I. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



DANC 169. Flamenco I. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



DANC 170. Hip Hop I. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 201. Crew Practicum. (0)



DANC 204. Stretching, Strengthening and Conditioning for the Performing Arts. (3 to a maximum of 15 Δ)



DANC 210. Modern Dance II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 212. Improvisation. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 232. Jazz II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 240. Music Essentials for Contemporary Dance. (3)



DANC 242. Music Essentials for Flamenco. (3)



DANC 249. Ballet II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 250. Movement Analysis I. (3, no limit Δ)



DANC 269. Flamenco II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 289. Topics in Flamenco. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 295. Special Topics in Dance. (3 to a maximum of 15 Δ)



DANC 310. Modern Dance III. (3 to a maximum of 24 Δ)



DANC 311. Choreography I. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 313. Kinesiology for Dancers. (3, no limit Δ)



DANC 349. Ballet III. (3 to a maximum of 24 Δ)



DANC 369. Flamenco III. (3 to a maximum of 24 Δ)



DANC 370. Hip Hop II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 379. Flamenco Structure/Improvisation. (3)



DANC 411 / 511. Choreography II. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 416 / 516. Dance Pedagogy. (3)



DANC 431. Writing About Dance. (3)



DANC 462 / 562. Dance History I. (3)



DANC 463 / 563. Dance History II. (3)



DANC 464 / 564. Dance History III. (3)



DANC 466 / 566. Flamenco History. (3)



DANC 479 / 579. Flamenco Choreography. (3)



DANC 487 / 587. Contemporary Interdisciplinary Topics. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 495. Special Studies in Dance. (3 to a maximum 15 Δ)



DANC 496 / 596. Student Production Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 497 / 597. Independent Study. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 499. Departmental Honors. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 500. Introduction to Graduate Study. (3)



DANC 503. Performance Theory. (3)



DANC 506. Critical Issues in the Performing Arts. (3)



DANC 509. Graduate Internship. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 510. Creative Investigations I. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 511 / 411. Choreography II. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 512. Graduate Seminar. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 515. Creative Investigations II. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 516 / 416. Dance Pedagogy. (3 to a maximum of 6)



DANC 531. Dance Criticism. (3)



DANC 549. Dance Technique for Graduate Students. (1-4, no limit Δ)



DANC 551 / 552. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 562 / 462. Dance History I. (3 to a maximum of 6 )



DANC 563 / 463. Dance History II. (3 to a maximum of 6)



DANC 564 / 464. Dance History III. (3 to a maximum of 6)



DANC 566 / 466. Flamenco History. (3 to a maximum of 6)



DANC 579 / 479. Flamenco Choreography. (3 to a maximum of 6)



DANC 587 / 487. Contemporary Interdisciplinary Topics. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 596 / 496. Student Production Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 597 / 497. Independent Study. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 598. Master's Essay in Theatre and Dance. (3)



DANC 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



DANC 699. Dissertation. (3-6, no limit Δ)



THEA 105. Introduction to Theatre [Theatre Appreciation]. (3)



THEA 130. Acting I. (3)



THEA 192. Stagecraft I. (3)



THEA 194. Introduction to Costuming for Performance and New Media. (3)



THEA 196. Introduction to Stage Lighting. (3)



THEA 200. Theatre Practicum. (1 to a maximum of 4 Δ)



THEA 230. Acting II. (3)



THEA 231. Voice for the Actor I. (3)



THEA 232. Movement for the Stage I. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 290. Stagecraft II. (3)



THEA 292. Rendering for Stage, Screen, and New Media. (3)



THEA 296. Lighting Methods and Equipment. (3)



THEA 300 [295]. Studies in Theatre. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 304. Make-Up Design for Performance and New Media. (3)



THEA 314. Pattern Development. (3)



THEA 328. Musical Theatre. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 330. Acting III. (3)



THEA 331. Voice for the Actor II. (3)



THEA 332. Speech and Dialects for the Stage. (3)



THEA 333. Topics in Physical Theatre. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 334. History of Fashion and Costumes. (3)



THEA 345. Theatre History I. (3)



THEA 346. Theatre History II. (3)



THEA 350 [223]. Script Analysis [Introduction to Script Analysis]. (3)



THEA 355. Playwriting I [Fundamentals of Playwriting]. (3)



THEA 366. Stage Management. (2)



THEA 367. Stage Management Production Laboratory. (1 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



THEA 370. 2D Computer-Aided Drafting for Design. (3)



THEA 371. Digital Imagery and Production. (3)



THEA 387. Design History and Styles for Performance and New Media. (3)



THEA 390. Scenic Painting for Stage and Screen. (3)



THEA 391. Advanced Scenic Techniques. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 392. Introduction to Scenic Design for Performance and New Media. (3)



THEA 394. Costume Design for Performance and New Media. (3)



THEA 396. Lighting Design I. (3)



THEA 398. Costume Techniques. (3)



THEA 399. Special Problems in Theatre and Production. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 403. Directing I. (3)



THEA 404 / 504. Directing II [Topics in Directing]. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 406. Production Management for Live Performance. (3)



THEA 415 [415 / 515]. Theatre for Educational and Social Change. (3)



THEA 428. Topics in Musical Theatre. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 431. Advanced Acting: Classical Styles. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ [3])



THEA 432. Advanced Acting- Beyond Realism. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 434. Performance Art. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ [3])



THEA 437. Acting-Entering the Profession. (3)



THEA 445 / 545. Topics in Theatre History and Criticism. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 446 / 546. Theories of Theatre. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA *455. Playwriting II [Intermediate Playwriting]. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA *456L. Playwriting Laboratory. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 457. Advanced Dramatic Writing Workshop. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 458 / 558. Screenwriting. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 466. Stage Management II. (3)



THEA 470. 3D Modeling and Visualization for Design. (3)



THEA 472. Prop Design and Construction. (3)



THEA 474. Production Performance. (0, may be repeated 7 times)



THEA 475 / 575. Special Topics in Computers for Design. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 481. Costume Design and Technology Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 482. Scene Design and Technology Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



THEA 486. Lighting Design II. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 487 / 587. Contemporary Interdisciplinary Topics. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 488. Lighting Design and Technology Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



THEA 492. Advanced Scene Design for Performance and New Media. (3)



THEA 493. Art Direction for TV, Film, and New Media. (3)



THEA 494. Advanced Costume Design for Performance and New Media. (3)



THEA 495. Studies in Theatre. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 496 / 596. Student Production Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 497 / 597. Independent Study. (2-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 498. Design Seminar. (3)



THEA 499. Departmental Honors. (3-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 500. Introduction to Graduate Studies. (3)



THEA 503. Performance Theory. (3)



THEA 504 / 404. Directing II [Topics in Directing]. (3, no limit Δ)



THEA 506. Critical Issues in the Performing Arts. (3)



THEA 512. Graduate Seminar. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 529. Advanced Topics in Theatre and Dance. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 545 / 445. Topics in Theatre History and Criticism. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 546 / 446. Theories of Theatre. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 551. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 555. Dramatic Writing I. (4 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 556. Dramatic Writing II. (4 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 557. The Writer's Stage III. (4 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 558 / 458. Screenwriting. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 559. Topics in Dramatic Writing. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 575 / 475. Special Topics in Computers for Design. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 587 / 487. Contemporary Interdisciplinary Topics. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 596 / 496. Student Production Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 597 / 497. Independent Study. (2-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 598. Master's Essay in Theatre and Dance. (3)



THEA 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



THEA 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)



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Office of the Registrar

MSC 11 6325
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 277-8900
Fax: (505) 277-6809