Private school860

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA

Test-OptionalLGBTQ+

Start free

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Browse programs

Quick Links

MFA Choreography

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

MFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Quick Links

BFA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BFA Experience Design and Production

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Quick Links

MFA Choreography

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program Recognition

•Two-year MFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive accredited college of the visual and performing arts

Training

•Coursework in composition, dance theory, costume design, production, dance on camera, and digital media, led by MFA Program Director Julie Bour

•Choose a concentration in dance for camera, dance theater, or body x technology; optional supplemental concentrations in Integrated Media and Arts Education (added fall 2024)

•Year 1 requires creating and presenting three original works, with weekly dance showings for feedback; candidates may collaborate with artists and designers across every CalArts discipline

Performance & Productions

•Second-year graduate thesis concert, supported by committee-approved written proposal and open auditions

•Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) in LA

Professional Development

•Teaching opportunities within the undergraduate dance curriculum build college-level teaching experience

Study Abroad

•Partner institutions for research and practice in Paris, London, Taipei, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Value

•Generous stipend supports the second-year thesis concert

School Info

Snapshot

32%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

860

Enrollment

$41K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$63,684

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$90,455

Before aid

Average Net Price

$46,080

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 6d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Two-year MFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive accredited college of the visual and performing arts

Training

•Coursework in composition, dance theory, costume design, production, dance on camera, and digital media, led by MFA Program Director Julie Bour

•Choose a concentration in dance for camera, dance theater, or body x technology; optional supplemental concentrations in Integrated Media and Arts Education (added fall 2024)

•Year 1 requires creating and presenting three original works, with weekly dance showings for feedback; candidates may collaborate with artists and designers across every CalArts discipline

Performance & Productions

•Second-year graduate thesis concert, supported by committee-approved written proposal and open auditions

•Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) in LA

Professional Development

•Teaching opportunities within the undergraduate dance curriculum build college-level teaching experience

Study Abroad

•Partner institutions for research and practice in Paris, London, Taipei, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Value

•Generous stipend supports the second-year thesis concert

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Two-year MFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive accredited college of the visual and performing arts

Training

•Coursework in composition, dance theory, costume design, production, dance on camera, and digital media, led by MFA Program Director Julie Bour

•Choose a concentration in dance for camera, dance theater, or body x technology; optional supplemental concentrations in Integrated Media and Arts Education (added fall 2024)

•Year 1 requires creating and presenting three original works, with weekly dance showings for feedback; candidates may collaborate with artists and designers across every CalArts discipline

Performance & Productions

•Second-year graduate thesis concert, supported by committee-approved written proposal and open auditions

•Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) in LA

Professional Development

•Teaching opportunities within the undergraduate dance curriculum build college-level teaching experience

Study Abroad

•Partner institutions for research and practice in Paris, London, Taipei, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Value

•Generous stipend supports the second-year thesis concert

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

These Fall 2026 enrollment dates have passed — dates for the next cycle aren't available yet.

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$85

Deadline

Fall 2026 Regular DeadlineJan 5, 2026

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Deadline

Fall 2026 Regular DeadlineJan 5, 2026

Official Source

Submission Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Portfolio / Artist Sample (3 Complete Works)

•Portfolio requirement: Include at least one group choreography work and one documented live performance

•Portfolio caption: Give each work a title, completion date, and description of up to 100 words or 750 characters

•Portfolio context: Explain each work’s connection to your artistic practice

Artist Statement

•Artist statement prompt: Describe your influences, development, and artistic voice (2,500 characters max)

•Artist statement prompt: Explain your next artistic step and how CalArts supports it (1,500 characters max)

•Artist statement prompt: Describe what you bring to the CalArts community (1,500 characters max)

•Artist statement prompt: Describe desired collaborators and research (1,500 characters max)

•Optional artist statement context (1,500 characters max)

Resume

Letters of Recommendation (3 Required)

•Recommendation instruction: Submit requests through the online application when possible

Official Source

Good to Know

•Applicants create a CalArts application account and submit MFA Choreography materials through the CalArts application/portfolio system.

What's The Process

•The MFA Choreography application is portfolio/sample based; no separate live audition requirement was listed on the current CalArts MFA Choreography admission page.

Scholarship Info

•Merit-based institutional scholarships and grants may be awarded through CalArts financial aid based on artistic talent and application materials.

School Info

Snapshot

32%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

860

Enrollment

$41K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$63,684

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$90,455

Before aid

Average Net Price

$46,080

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Two-year MFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive accredited college of the visual and performing arts

Training

•Coursework in composition, dance theory, costume design, production, dance on camera, and digital media, led by MFA Program Director Julie Bour

•Choose a concentration in dance for camera, dance theater, or body x technology; optional supplemental concentrations in Integrated Media and Arts Education (added fall 2024)

•Year 1 requires creating and presenting three original works, with weekly dance showings for feedback; candidates may collaborate with artists and designers across every CalArts discipline

Performance & Productions

•Second-year graduate thesis concert, supported by committee-approved written proposal and open auditions

•Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) in LA

Professional Development

•Teaching opportunities within the undergraduate dance curriculum build college-level teaching experience

Study Abroad

•Partner institutions for research and practice in Paris, London, Taipei, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Value

•Generous stipend supports the second-year thesis concert

Updated 6d ago