Teaching K-12:

This curriculum is constructed for the dance educator with prior certification in dance who wishes to enrich and expand dance and pedagogical skills and practice. This 34-credit MA degree program does not include teacher certification. The students will be in many of the dance pedagogy core courses with those seeking certification, so they will engage in the skill development and practice to strengthen their current teaching practice. The culminating project is a curriculum plan for the current teaching setting.

Teaching K-12 + Teacher Certification:

This curriculum is specifically developed for the pre-service dance educator seeking provisional teacher certification for grades kindergarten through 12. Completion of this degree leads to eligibility for New York State certification as a Teacher of Dance, K-12 with reciprocity in numerous states (40 credits). The curriculum is designed to be completed in two years. During the second year, the students complete two student teaching placements in New York City schools, with a certified dance educator. During the first year the students are completing many hours of fieldwork observations in New York City public school dance settings. With the completion of this degree the student is familiar with the context of dance education in this multi-cultural urban location. Coursework includes Teaching Dance content courses, Pedagogy courses and a culminating curriculum project that leads to a final teaching portfolio.

About the programs:

• Master of Arts degree in Teaching Dance K-12, or Teaching Dance K-12 plus teacher certification (New York State).
• Prepares dance teachers for public and private school sequential dance education.
• Full time study; Coursework can be completed in four semesters with Certification, three semesters without certification.
• Students examine the study of dance techniques for the express peopose of developing research-informed and proficient teachers who develop a complete understanding of schooling and the role of dance education within the school climate.
• Unique courses include
  • Methods & Materials for Teaching Dance
  • Teaching Performance of Dance (Composition Pedagogy)
  • Improvisation
  • Research in Dance Education
  • Teaching Creative Movement (K-5 Pedagogy)
  • Dance for the Special Child
• Students can choose electives such as
  • African Dance
  • Hip Hop Dance
  • Jazz Dance from a Historical Perspective

NYU Steinhardt dancers and choreographer at ADCFA performance at the Kennedy Center, Washington, DC spring 2010