Admission to MFA in Dance

How to Apply

We will begin accepting applications in the Fall of 2023 for the cohort that will begin in June 2024, for a 4 week session June 10-July 3, 2024. Priority application deadline is Dec. 10, 2023, but if space permits, we will continue to accept applications through March 30, 2024.

Please email Dr. Elizabeth McPherson (mcphersone@montclair.edu) if you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive updates.

2024 In person session will run June 10 – July 3, 2024

Submitting Your Application

The Graduate School admissions team will not begin to review your application until it is complete. If your program has an application deadline, you must submit all required application materials before that deadline. The online application alone is not enough to meet required deadlines.

It is your responsibility to submit all required application materials to The Graduate School. We will enter all supporting materials into our computer system within one week of their receipt. If the online application does not indicate that we have received a supporting document, please check again after two or three days before contacting The Graduate School.

To submit your application, please follow these steps:

  • All applicants must complete the online application
  • Applicants must gather all application credentials, which include official transcripts, resume, work samples, personal statement, letters of recommendation, etc., and submit them to The Graduate School
  • Montclair State University graduates do not need to send us their transcripts; The Graduate School requests them directly

Admission Decisions

All admission decisions are made by The Graduate School, based on an overall review of the required credentials (official transcripts, resume, work samples, personal statement, recommendations and in some instances interviews.) A formal written notice from The Graduate School constitutes an offer of admission; correspondence with a department or with individual faculty members is not an offer of admission.

All admission decisions are sent to you via U.S. mail or airmail. The Graduate School does not release admission decisions via the web or over the phone. You will, however, be able to see that a decision has been made by reviewing your online application. Once you see that an admission decision has been made, please allow at least seven days to receive your letter via U.S. mail or airmail before contacting us.

Deadlines

Deadlines

Visit The Graduate School’s page for more information on application deadlines.

International student application information

Application Review and Admission Process

Submitting Your Application

The Graduate School admissions team will not begin to review your application until it is complete. If your program has an application deadline, you must submit all required application materials before that deadline. The online application alone is not enough to meet required deadlines.

It is your responsibility to submit all required application materials to The Graduate School. We will enter all supporting materials into our computer system within one week of their receipt. If the online application does not indicate that we have received a supporting document, please check again after two or three days before contacting The Graduate School.

To submit your application, please follow these steps:

  • Applicants must gather all application credentials, which include official transcripts, resume, work samples, personal statement, letters of recommendation, etc., and submit them to The Graduate School
  • Montclair State University graduates do not need to send us their transcripts; The Graduate School requests them directly

Admission Decisions

All admission decisions are made by The Graduate School, based on an overall review of the required credentials (official transcripts, resume, work samples, personal statement, recommendations and in some instances interviews.) A formal written notice from The Graduate School constitutes an offer of admission; correspondence with a department or with individual faculty members is not an offer of admission.

All admission decisions are sent to you via U.S. mail or airmail. The Graduate School does not release admission decisions via the web or over the phone. You will, however, be able to see that a decision has been made by reviewing your online application. Once you see that an admission decision has been made, please allow at least seven days to receive your letter via U.S. mail or airmail before contacting us.

FAQ

Can I enroll on a part-time basis?

The MFA in Dance does not permit part-time enrollment. Admission to the program is conducted every two years, and students are expected to complete all course requirements within a two-year period. Students will move through the curriculum as a cohort.

Can I take courses as a non-degree student before being accepted into a program?

At this time, non-degree students are not able to take courses.

What if I just want to take classes for personal/professional development purposes?

At this time, only matriculating students may take classes in the MFA in Dance program.

How long can I take to complete my degree?

Students are expected to complete their course of study within two years. The cohort structure does not allow for students to drop in and out of the program.

Are GRE score required in my application?

No. GRE, GMAT or MAT scores are not required.

Do I need to submit GRE, GMAT or MAT scores if I already have a master’s degree?

No. GRE, GMAT or MAT scores are not required.

When and how do I know if I have been accepted into Montclair State University?

Applicants will be informed of their acceptance into the program after we resume accepting applications in the Fall 2017 semester (for enrollment in Summer 2018). Admission decisions are not given out over the phone.

What is the cost to attend Montclair State University?

Program tuition total for the full two-year program

$34,000

Does MSU offer financial assistance?

Visit our Financial Information Section for more information.

Can I apply for on-campus housing?

On-campus housing is available upon request. Please contact The Office of Residence Life directly at 973-655-5188 or via email at reslife@mail.montclair.edu. Residence Life staff is available to answer questions weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If I studied at an institution outside of the United States, what educational background is needed to be eligible to apply to graduate studies at Montclair State University?

Applicants who received their degrees outside of the United States and have foreign transcripts must receive a COURSE-BY-COURSE transcript evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). NACES is an association of private foreign educational credential evaluation services committed to formulating and maintaining ethical standards in the field of foreign educational evaluation. Within the United States, no government agency monitors the establishment of foreign credential evaluation services. NACES was founded in 1987 by credential evaluation services dedicated to promoting excellence and committed to setting the standards for the profession.

Please contact a NACES member to receive an “Application for Evaluation of Foreign Credentials”. Requests for evaluation are usually honored within 20 working days of receipt of all required materials and fees. You must include instructions on the application to send a copy of the evaluation to The Graduate School at Montclair State University. You must provide the NACES member you selected with copies of transcripts from all previous educational institutions and certified English translations. Students do not need to submit official transcripts to The Graduate School. An official evaluation sent to Montclair State University from the NACES member you selected is the only requirement.

If my foreign transcripts are already translated into English, do I still need to have them evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services? What is the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)?

Yes. ALL foreign transcripts must receive a COURSE-BY-COURSE evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). NACES is an association of private foreign educational credential evaluation services committed to formulating and maintaining ethical standards in the field of foreign educational evaluation. Within the United States, no government agency monitors the establishment of foreign credential evaluation services. NACES was founded in 1987 by credential evaluation services dedicated to promoting excellence and committed to setting the standards for the profession.

Please contact a NACES member to receive an “Application for Evaluation of Foreign Credentials”. Requests for evaluation are usually honored within 20 working days of receipt of all required materials and fees. You must include instructions on the application to send a copy of the evaluation to The Graduate School at Montclair State University. You must provide the NACES member you selected with copies of transcripts from all previous educational institutions and certified English translations. Students do not need to submit official transcripts to The Graduate School. An official evaluation sent to Montclair State University from the NACES member you selected is the only requirement.

To obtain a list of NACES members, please visit the NACES website.

How long will you keep my application materials on file?

We will keep your application materials on file for one year if you do not complete the application, if you are not admitted, or if you do not enroll in classes. Space restrictions require us to purge all inactive materials after one year. If you choose to reapply after your application has been purged, you will need to resubmit all required materials.

Who should write my letter of recommendation?

All applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation. They should be written by someone familiar with your recent professional work in the dance field.

What if I have additional questions?

If you have additional questions which are not addressed above, you may contact The Graduate School.

The Graduate School
Montclair State University
1 Normal Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07043

Telephone: 973-655-5147 or 800-331-9207
Fax: 973-655-7869
Email: gradschool@mail.montclair.edu
Website: www.montclair.edu/graduate