For the M.F.A. program, a bachelor's degree, with an undergraduate major in dance or equivalent experience in dance, is expected. Equivalent experience in dance may have been gained outside the academic setting through avenues such as dance studios, dance companies, or self-produced dance performances. Applicants are strongly recommended to attain post baccalaureate studies (including workshops, intensives, etc.) and/or professional choreographic experiences prior to applying to the program. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional promise in choreography.
Choreographic Inquiry MFA Information Session
An event for prospective students who are interested in learning more about the MFA in Choreographic Inquiry at UCLA World Arts and Cultures/ Dance and will provide attendees with information about the program, the facilities and studio space, the faculty, the student experience, and the application process.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at wacdadmissions@arts.ucla.edu
Sorry you missed it! Click here to watch the Choreographic Inquiry MFA Session
The Application Process
All applicants are required to follow the University's graduate admissions and requirements. In addition to UCLA's Application for Graduate Admission, the Department has its own two-phase screening procedure.
Phase 1 is a submission of:
- WACD Statement on Choreographic Inquiry. Upload this statement through the Graduate Admissions application. This is in addition to the Statement of Purpose required by UCLA Graduate Admissions, and will be uploaded in the supplemental document section on the application. This is your chance to tell us what you want to do in the M.F.A. program. Describe your choreographic interests. What questions do you want to investigate, and in relation to what sources? What new knowledge and skills that apply to this interest area are you expecting to develop through graduate study? What do you see as evidence that the necessary resources are available at UCLA?
- Two letters of recommendation
- Unofficial transcripts indicating degree completion will be uploaded to application
- WACD M.F.A. Experiential Background Questionnaire (UPLOAD to Grad App)
- Descriptions of below Video Samples (included in Experiential Background Questionnaire document)
- Videos of two choreographic work samples (10-15 minutes total, links to be included in the Experiential Background Questionnaire). Work samples should include a group piece if possible (trio or larger). It is preferred that one piece not include the applicant/choreographer in the performance. The choreography should show a range of approaches to movement, thematic development, and originality of ideas.
The M.F.A. faculty will evaluate the Phase 1 materials submitted by each applicant. Applicants will be informed by end of December as to whether they are invited to participate in Phase 2.
Phase 2 of the admissions process is by invitation only, based on the results of Phase 1 of your application, and includes:
- By no later than mid-January: the submission of a video sample of a third choreographic work, preferably featuring the applicant as a performer, and expanding upon the artistic range of the first two samples submitted in Phase 1.
- Mid-January/February: a remote interview with M.F.A. faculty, and an opportunity to meet remotely with current WACD graduate students. Tentative dates for upcoming year: 1/19/24.
You will be informed by end of December, after the initial review of Phase 1 of your application, as to whether you are invited to proceed to Phase 2. More information will be provided upon invitation.
Deadlines
December 1 of the year prior to entry is the official deadline for filing an application for fall quarter enrollment. This applies to all applicants to the Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance M.F.A. program. Applicants can apply online using the application on the Graduate Division website. All applicants must submit the Application for Graduate Admission to the UCLA Graduate Admissions Office online, including the required additional supporting materials (statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, transcripts, experiential background information, video presentation, audition response, etc.). Incomplete applications are unable to be reviewed. Admission to the program is for fall quarter only. Students who are admitted but do not enroll may reapply, but they are not guaranteed admission at a later date.
English Requirements
Students whose native language is not English or who did not receive their bachelor’s degree in an Anglophone country, must certify proficiency in English when applying to UCLA. This applies to U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents as well as international applicants. If you are admitted, you may also be required to confirm your proficiency upon arrival. Submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as part of the application. Applications are not considered complete without the test scores. Because processing, sending, and receiving TOEFL and IELTS test scores often takes several weeks, international students must schedule their examination no later than September in order to meet the Departmental deadlines. For further information about these requirements, please review UCLA Graduate Division English Requirements.
Requirements for International Applicants
Includes requirements, required academic records, and visa procedures. For further information about these requirements, please review UCLA Graduate Division International Applicants to Graduate School
Funding Opportunities
The Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance is committed to equity, inclusion and diversity and makes great efforts to provide all entering students with financial support. Newly admitted candidates are considered for campus-wide awards prior to beginning their programs. During their first year, MFA students typically receive funding through a combination of departmental awards and employment in the form of teaching assistantships and/or graduate student researcher positions. For MFA students, funding opportunities through employment are available for their second year. We are unable to detail funding specifics until after determining admitted cohorts. Applicants are advised to apply for their desired graduate programs first and consider the financial costs of their options after admissions decisions are made.
Entering students are encouraged to complete the fellowship section of the UCLA Graduate Application for campus-wide award opportunities and to review Funding for Entering Students.
Additionally, all students are given the opportunity to apply for Teaching Assistantship positions, which offer a quarterly salary, fee remissions, and health insurance during the term(s) of employment when working at least 25%. Typically, continuing students are informed of funding including any awards and employment during the Summer. To maintain their support packages, students must show satisfactory progress in the graduate program
UCLA Division of Graduate Education provides a comprehensive website for funding: https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/ which provides extensive financial information for the prospective student. The Graduate Student Financial Support handbook acquaints you with the range of opportunities to support graduate study at UCLA. The Graduate Division also provides a search database for additional opportunities. UCLA GRAPES allows you to search for awards from among 625 scholarships, grants, fellowships, and postdoctoral awards.
For federal financial aid, please visit the UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships Office for eligibility requirements, application, and additional information.
Contact Us
Have a look at the FAQs below. If you have further questions, you can contact us at wacdadmissions@arts.ucla.edu.