Graduate Programs
MFA in Dance
Advance your artistry and deepen your choreographic voice through focused studio practice, creative research, and collaboration. At Sam Houston State University, the Master of Fine Arts in Dance supports emerging and established artists in exploring movement as a vehicle for expression, inquiry, and performance.
This three-year graduate program cultivates technically skilled, conceptually driven dance artists prepared for careers in performance, choreography, and higher education. Students engage in rigorous studio practice, choreographic development, and interdisciplinary collaboration while working closely with faculty mentors.
Located near Houston’s dynamic arts community, SHSU offers opportunities to perform, present new work, and connect with visiting artists and regional companies. Graduate students also gain valuable teaching experience and professional development through assistantships and mentorship within the Department of Dance.
Graduate Program Details
Find everything you need to apply to the MFA in Dance—details on admission steps, assistantship funding, and the creative facilities that support your graduate experience.
Admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Dance is a two-part process. Applicants must:
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Apply for admission to Sam Houston State University through the Graduate and Professional School.
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Audition for acceptance into the Department of Dance MFA program by attending an on-site audition or completing a video audition.
Eligibility
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in dance. Admission is based on acceptance to the university and the audition results.
1. Complete the SHSU Graduate Application through ApplyTexas.
2. Upload all supplemental materials through the: SHSU Self-Service Center, including:
- Resume or CV
- Statement of Intent describing your background, interest in dance, and goals for the program
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official Transcripts
3. Submit a video portfolio of performance and choreography.
Email video links to the graduate coordinator. Do not upload video files to Self-Service.
- Writing sample based on a prompt provided at the audition
- Interview with Dance faculty
- Technique audition in ballet and modern dance
- Presentation of a solo performance of a choreographic work composed by the applicant
Start Your Application Register for Audition Self-Service Center
A limited number of Graduate Assistantships are awarded each year on a competitive basis. These positions help offset tuition costs and provide hands-on professional experience in areas such as dance technique, choreography, production, and departmental support.
Assistantships allow students to work closely with faculty and may include opportunities to assist with courses, rehearsals, or performances during the second or third year of study.
Priority deadline: Applications received by January 7, 2025, receive priority consideration for assistantships.
Graduate students in the College of Arts and Media may be eligible for scholarships that recognize artistic talent, academic excellence, and creative potential.
Through Scholarships4Kats—SHSU’s centralized scholarship application—students are automatically matched to opportunities they qualify for, including those offered by the university, the College of Arts and Media, and individual departments.
Some departmental scholarships may require additional steps, such as an audition or portfolio submission. All applicants must complete the Scholarships4Kats application and should contact their department directly with questions about specific opportunities.
For details about tuition, payment options, or other forms of financial assistance, visit the SHSU Financial Aid Office.
Graduate students train and perform in professional-quality spaces designed to support advanced study in dance. Students share access to spacious dance studios for classes and rehearsals and perform in the Mary Ella Montague Dance Theatre located in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center. Additional resources include a costume shop, dance library, and well-equipped dressing rooms that enhance the creative and performance experience.