Our Philosophy

The Dance Education Program envisions dance and education as complementary domains of knowledge. We pursue discipline-based inquiries and scholarly research to increase knowledge and expertise in these domains and to transform the way educators understand and teach dance.

Traditionally, dance is not taught as a domain of understanding; rather, it is taught as received knowledge. Our approach is to move away from a knowledge-centered curriculum – “The passive mind, active body: ideal – wherein submissive learners “acquire” dance content through a dominant pedagogy. Instead, we provide a curriculum that requires critical and creative thinking about, and deliberate practice with, key concepts in dance, human development and socio-cultural educational settings.

Our “thinking-centered” approach to dance education necessitates the integration of the developing mind and body in the context of educational/cultural practices. Therefore, our curricular structure is based on three areas of inquiry: 1) discipline-based inquiry which allows the dance artist to master his/her craft, 2) pedagogic-based inquiry that enables deep understanding of teaching and learning processes, and 3) research-based inquiry, which provides theory and methods for creating new knowledge in the field.

Our core courses begin with students developing and examining a personal vision for teaching and learning. Core courses sequence to give students a continual opportunity to integrate their prior-experiences with new knowledge; and culminate in highly individualized projects that evidence the integration of theory and practice. Electives from both inside and outside the program aid students in honing in on particular topics, interests or issues that support their vision. The learning experience in many of our courses is organized around conducting fieldwork in socio-cultural settings such as schools, colleges, institutions and cultural organizations. Through fieldwork, students have the opportunity to analyze educational models, exercise researcher skills, develop professional networks, and to awaken to the “realistic idealism” that propels the future growth of arts education.

Advanced Certificate in Teaching Dance

The Advanced Certificate in Teaching Dance, All Grades is designed for prospective students who have earned an M.A. or M.F.A in Dance, and who wish to be certified in Teaching Dance, All Grades (Pre-K-12). Rather than earn an additional Master's degree, students in this program would take courses (19 credits minimum) that provide the supplementary educational theory, pedagogical development and instructional practice necessary to fulfill requirements currently in place for New York State Certification in Teaching Dance, All Grades. (Courses that are part of the M.A. Teaching Dance, All Grades program at NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development).

All students must take the following minimum required courses (19 points):

• MPADE-GE 2453, Dance for the Special Child, 3 pts
• TCHL-GE 2275, Language and Literacy, 3 pts
• TCHL-GE 2010, Inquiries into Teaching and Learning III, 3 pts
• TCHL-UE 0005, Fieldwork in Schools and Other Educational Settings, 0 pts
• MPAIA-GE 2010, Human Development and Education in the Arts, 3 pt
• TCHL-GE 2999, Drug, Alcohol Ed / Child Abuse Id / School Violence Prevention 0 pts
• MPADE-GE 2607, Student Teaching in Dance: Elementary, 2 pts
• MPADE-GE 2608, Student Teaching in Dance: Secondary, 2 pts
• MPADE-GE 2075, Advanced Technique & Pedagogy, 1 pt
• MPADE-GE 2452, Teaching Creative Movement, 2 pts

Upon admissions, additional courses/credits may be required based upon individual MA/MFA transcript review--in which case students may be required to complete additional course/credits such as the following: (variable 20-37 points)

• MPADE-GE 2265, Methods and Materials in Teaching Dance, 3 pts
• MPADE-GE 2044, Laban Movement Analysis, 2 pts
• MPADE-GE 2454, Teaching Performance of Dance, 2 pts
• MPADE-GE 2077, Advanced Dance Practicum: Methods of Assessment, 1 pt
• MPADE-GE 2309, Methods of Accompaniment for Dance, 1 pt
• MPADE-GE 2040, Intermediate Dance Technique & Pedagogy, 1 pt
• MPADE-GE 2266, Arts Resources in Dance Education, 1 pt
• MPADE-GE 2403, Research in Dance Education, 3 pts
• MPAIA-GE 2029, Technology Resources for Performing Arts Education, 3 pts

Completion of this program leads to eligibility for Initial and Professional New York State Certification in Teaching Dance, All Grades, (PreK-12) with reciprocity in numerous states.

Admission requirements:

• Earned Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts in Dance or Dance Education
• strong record of academic achievement
• Completed essay expressing interest in K-12 education in dance and detailing career goals
• Audition

Contact: Dr. Susan Koff, sk120@nyu.edu, 212 992 9384, or steinhardt.dance@nyu.edu 

Sample Schedule for the minimum 19-point Advanced Certificate

SUMMER                                                                       

• Inquiries into Teaching and Learning III (3 pts)
• Fieldwork in Schools and Other Educational Settings (0 pts)

Total Points  3

FALL

• Human Development and Education in the Arts (3 pts)
• Dance for the Special Child (3 pts)
• Language and Literacy Acquisition and Development (3 pts)
• The Social Responsibilities of Teachers (0 pts)
• Student Teaching in Dance:  Elementary  (2 pts)

Total Points  11

SPRING                                                                      

• Teaching Creative Movement (2 pts)
• Advanced Technique and Pedagogy (1 pt)
• Student Teaching in Dance:  Secondary (2 pts)

Total Points 5

Sample Schedule for variable 20-37 point Advanced Certificate with additional required courses

SUMMER                                                               

• Inquiries into Teaching and Learning III (3 pts)
• Fieldwork in Schools and Other Educational Settings (0 pts)

Total Points   3

FALL                                                    

• Dance for the Special Child (3 pts)
• Language and Literacy Acquisition and Development (3 pts)
• The Social Responsibilities of Teachers (0 pts)
• Methods and Materials in Teaching Dance (3 pts)
• Human Development and Education in the Arts (3 pts)
• Art Resources in Dance Education (1 pt)

Total Points  13

SPRING                                                                 

• Technology Resources for Performing Arts Education (3 pts)
• Research in Dance Education (3 pts)
• Teaching Creative Movement (2 pts)
• Laban Movement Analysis (2 pts)
• Student Teaching in Dance:  Secondary (2 pts)
• Advanced Technique and Pedagogy (1 pt)

Total Points 13

FALL                                                            

• Intermediate Dance Technique and Pedagogy (1 pt)
• Teaching Performance of Dance (2 pts)
• Advanced Dance Practicum (1 pt)
• Methods of Accompaniment for Dance (1 pt)
• Student Teaching in Dance:  Elementary (2 pts)

Total Points 7