The PhD program requires a total of 135 graduate credit hours, at least 90 of which must be earned beyond the masters degree. Of the total 135 MA/MFA and PhD hours, 20 credits of the core courses are required (22 for those entering at the masters level).

For the PhD candidate, critical, analytical and theoretical studies emerge from courses in history, choreography and documentation and are grounded in the individual student’s awareness of and experience in physical practice. The successful PhD candidate will focus on scholarly inquiry into these areas, and will complete a written dissertation that matches the standards of excellence established by other high-quality PhD programs at OSU.

The focus of the PhD keeps dance at its core, with theory, history and literature grounded in and emanating from this rich nucleus of human activity. Thus, the doctoral candidate may choose to focus on his or her own clearly defined research area relating to courses in the history, theory and literature of choreography, documentation and criticism. The PhD candidate will pursue an independent line of research under the close advisement of faculty members. New areas of research that emerge from the core strengths of the program are to be encouraged and supported

curriculum

Core Courses:

• Modes of Inquiry in Dance (Dance 880)
• History, theory and literature of the analysis of movement
• History, theory and literature of choreography
• Resource Seminar (required for students who have not completed the MA)
• New Ground Creative Research

download course offerings (.pdf)

candidacy requirements