Four Places to Get Your Dance Doctorate
October 29, 2012

As dancers, we are never finished learning. If you’re thinking about pursuing a second degree in the field, consider this: while many U.S. schools offer a PhD in performance studies, there are only four dance PhD programs in the country. Depending on your intentions, either option could be a good fit. Here’s a quick rundown of the dance programs:

 

Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

Prior degree: Bachelor’s

Audition required? No

Time limit for completion: Five years, full-time study expected for most years of the program

 

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA

Prior degree: Master’s in dance or a related field

Audition required? Yes

Time limit for completion: Seven years for full and part-time students

 

Texas Woman’s University

Denton, TX

Prior degree: Master’s in dance or a related field

Audition required? No

Time limit for completion: 10 years for full and part-time students

 

University of California–Riverside

Riverside, CA

Prior degree: Bachelor’s

Audition required? No

Time limit for completion: 18 quarters, full-time study only (may be approved for longer completion time with guidance)