Master of Education (EdM) in Dance Education
The EdM dance education program community understands artistry and teaching as symbiotic by nature. Grappling with how to transform artistic knowledge into meaningful learning experiences for diverse K–12 students with respect to abilities as well as social, economic, and cultural backgrounds is at the heart of graduate study in our program.
Enriched by a unique partnership between the Graduate School of Education, Mason Gross School of the Arts, schools, and professional agencies, the EdM dance education program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC). Students finish the program with a solid education degree, a teaching portfolio, the option for K–12 dance-teacher certification, and multiple career options or advancement within dance and the education field, making this program a model of excellence for the preparation of dance educators.
Mason Gross School of the Arts in partnership with the Graduate School of Education offers the following programs:
- BFA/EdM Teacher Education Five-Year Program: Bachelor of fine arts (BFA) in dance and master of education (EdM) in dance studies
- EdM Dance Education Post-Baccalaureate Program: EdM with certification in dance education
- EdM Professional Teacher Advancement: Master of education (EdM) in dance studies
The vision of the Dance Education Program is to sustain a community of artist-teacher-learners committed to developing the diverse, creative voices of children, adolescents, and young adults. In alignment with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Visual and Performing Arts, we believe a highly qualified dance teacher is a skilled artist with an educational repertoire that includes knowledge of diverse learners, culturally relevant pedagogy, and the ability to sustain a professional practice. In alignment with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, our graduates strive to cultivate creativity, innovation, critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and literacy to contribute to the growth, self-efficacy, and employability of all students.
The goal of the Dance Education Program is to prepare individuals with the knowledge, skills, and disposition needed to be effective dance educators. This is nurtured through coursework, peer collaboration, continued opportunities for developing artistry, service to the community, independent projects, fieldwork, and mentored internship.
