Expand Your Dance Career Possibilities
Point Park University's innovative School of Education and world-renowned Conservatory of Performing Arts are proud to offer a Master of Arts in Dance Education program, an opportunity for dance professionals to broaden their skillset in teaching the art of dance. With this in-depth, relevant and content-specific program, dancers who envision a career inside the classroom will be well-prepared and competitive in the workforce.
Please note, this degree does not lead to teaching certification, but our Master of Education in PreK-12 Dance Certification does.
Eligibility
Students eligible for the M.A. in Dance Education include current or future Point Park dance students pursuing their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, and any student who has earned a B.F.A. or B.A. in dance from another institution.
A baccalaureate degree in dance is strongly preferred. However, applicants with a baccalaureate degree in another discipline may be considered for admission if they can demonstrate extensive professional investment in the field, such as professional performance or dance pedagogy experience.
Applicants who do not have a bachelor's degree in dance are required to submit a dance portfolio via Acceptd, our artistic portfolio submission site, consisting of the following items:- Dance resume
- 1-2 paragraph statement of intention describing how this program fits into your career plan
- 5-10 minute video of choreography from the last 5 years
- 5-10 minute video of teaching from the last 5 years
M.A. Program at a Glance
- Fully online, flexible format
- Includes 10 courses, as well as student teaching and a seminar, totaling 30 credits
- A distinctive blend of dance pedagogy and educator core competencies, taught by experienced professors who are skilled at supporting students' needs, career-readiness and quest for artistic excellence
- Students will strengthen their understanding of child development, diverse learning styles, assessment, communication and differentiated learning practices
Online Program Details
Point Park’s online programs are offered in a flexible format at an affordable cost. Online courses are 8 weeks long and are always offered asynchronously for your convenience.
Online students have access to the same great benefits as those on campus:
- Point Park faculty with real-world experience.
- Small online class sizes for individualized attention.
- A full spectrum of University resources.
- A student success advisor offering support from application to graduation, who will guide you to successfully complete your degree.
I took a class as an undergraduate that seems the same or has the same name as a class in this program (i.e. Dance History). Do I need to repeat it? How would the class at a graduate level be different?
The classes have been developed and adapted to meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Dance Education competencies. Courses will be taught from the perspective of a dance educator. While some M.Ed. courses may have the same name as undergraduate courses, the M.Ed. courses contain advanced graduate level material designed to meet the PDE criteria. For example, the Dance History course connects new research with culturally responsive teaching, and Dance Pedagogy addresses how the “creator economy” reflects 21st century skills. These courses cover the most recent work in the dance field, and your instructors will address how to apply this information in the classroom.
Is this completely online? Will I need to attend any live sessions?
The program is fully asynchronous and online. Instructors will often hold optional virtual meetings. The student teaching practicum is the final semester and is in person at your school placement location.
How can I order books?
On our website, students can find the books required for their classes. Using the drop-down menus, select the semester and the appropriate department name (EDUC or SPED), course number and section (you may use any online section designation as books are the same no matter the section – for example, OAON, O2ON, OCON, etc.) ISBNs are provided for your use.
Rental and digital download options may be available from the bookstore. Students can arrange to have books shipped to them for a nominal shipping fee through our bookstore. If a course does not list required books, the instructor may be using a combination of open source materials, research articles, book chapters and online resources.
Learn more: step-by-step guide to ordering books on our website.
I am a Point Park alumni. Can I use the alumni discount?
The School of Education discount exceeds the 25% alumni discount. Unfortunately, discounts cannot be stacked.
Learn More
Contact Jodi Golis, admissions counselor in the Office of Graduate and Online Admissions, at 412-392-3812 or jgolis@pointpark.edu.