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Montclair State University

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveStudy Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveStudy Abroad

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveStudy Abroad

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), which assesses dance degree programs every 10 years

Named one of the best dance programs in the country in a DanceUs.org ranking; the department lists it among the top 25 college dance programs in the U.S.

Training

Daily technique classes in multiple dance styles, with 24 credits of Modern/Contemporary and 18 credits of Ballet technique, plus Jazz and Dance Conditioning

Improvisation and Choreography I-III, Dance Science, Somatics and Self-care, Music for Dancers and Worlds of Dance (West African, Capoeira, Latin Ballroom or Cambodian)

Dance Repertory every year from freshman through senior year, and a Senior Project capstone

Continual faculty feedback and mentorship, personalized academic advising and a clear four-year degree path

Performance & Productions

Opportunities to perform and present choreographic work on and off campus from year one

Fall Dance and Spring Dance concerts present dance majors in repertory by faculty and guest choreographers

Location

Manhattan is 30 minutes away, connecting students with productions, internships and guest artists

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.33

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

65%

Enrollment

18.4K

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,854

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$27,570

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$38,828

Before aid

Average net price

$15,566

After aid

Tuition And Fees · montclair.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), which assesses dance degree programs every 10 years

Named one of the best dance programs in the country in a DanceUs.org ranking; the department lists it among the top 25 college dance programs in the U.S.

Training

Daily technique classes in multiple dance styles, with 24 credits of Modern/Contemporary and 18 credits of Ballet technique, plus Jazz and Dance Conditioning

Improvisation and Choreography I-III, Dance Science, Somatics and Self-care, Music for Dancers and Worlds of Dance (West African, Capoeira, Latin Ballroom or Cambodian)

Dance Repertory every year from freshman through senior year, and a Senior Project capstone

Continual faculty feedback and mentorship, personalized academic advising and a clear four-year degree path

Performance & Productions

Opportunities to perform and present choreographic work on and off campus from year one

Fall Dance and Spring Dance concerts present dance majors in repertory by faculty and guest choreographers

Location

Manhattan is 30 minutes away, connecting students with productions, internships and guest artists

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), which assesses dance degree programs every 10 years

Named one of the best dance programs in the country in a DanceUs.org ranking; the department lists it among the top 25 college dance programs in the U.S.

Training

Daily technique classes in multiple dance styles, with 24 credits of Modern/Contemporary and 18 credits of Ballet technique, plus Jazz and Dance Conditioning

Improvisation and Choreography I-III, Dance Science, Somatics and Self-care, Music for Dancers and Worlds of Dance (West African, Capoeira, Latin Ballroom or Cambodian)

Dance Repertory every year from freshman through senior year, and a Senior Project capstone

Continual faculty feedback and mentorship, personalized academic advising and a clear four-year degree path

Performance & Productions

Opportunities to perform and present choreographic work on and off campus from year one

Fall Dance and Spring Dance concerts present dance majors in repertory by faculty and guest choreographers

Location

Manhattan is 30 minutes away, connecting students with productions, internships and guest artists

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Fee

$65

Deadline

Freshman — Fall Early Action (non-binding)Dec 1, 2026

Freshman — Fall Regular AdmissionMar 1, 2027

University Application (Rolling — Complete Before Audition Registration)

BFA Dance · montclair.edu How Apply Montclairs Undergraduate Programs · montclair.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Fee

Audition Fee

$65

Deadline

Prescreen Deadline — Campus Audition (Round 1)For the Nov 20 auditionNov 10, 2026

Prescreen Deadline — Campus Audition (Round 2)For the Dec 11 auditionDec 1, 2026

Prescreen Deadline — Campus Audition (Round 3)For the Jan 22 auditionJan 12, 2027

Prescreen Deadline — Campus Audition (Round 4)For the Feb 19 auditionFeb 9, 2027

Prescreen Deadline — Campus Audition (Round 5)For the Mar 5 auditionFeb 23, 2027

Prescreen Deadline — Virtual AuditionFor the Mar 19 virtual auditionMar 9, 2027

Auditions

Dancewave

Audition — In Person (New York, NY) — Partner OrganizationOct 11, 2026

Audition — Virtual — Partner OrganizationOct 18, 2026

Montclair Dance Campus

Audition

Nov 20, 2026Dec 11, 2026Jan 22, 2027Feb 19, 2027Mar 5, 2027

Montclair Dance Virtual

AuditionMar 19, 2027

Dance · apply.montclair.edu Dance · apply.montclair.edu Dance · apply.montclair.edu Dance · apply.montclair.edu Dance · apply.montclair.edu Dance · apply.montclair.edu Dance · apply.montclair.edu Dance · apply.montclair.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Dance

Prescreen Solo

2-3 min solo in modern or contemporary genre

Footage must be recent — within past 6 months

Optional second video: 2-3 min solo in different genre (tap, hip hop, ballet, flamenco, etc.)

Additional Materials

Headshot / Photo

Full-body dance pose showing line, form, and expression

Resume

Resume of dance experience

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters required

One from an academic teacher

One from a dance professional

Dance professional letter should be emailed to msuadm@montclair.edu with subject: Dance Recommendation/Candidate Name

Transcript

Transcripts required

Video Specifications

Format

YouTube or Vimeo links only through registration portal

Footage must be recent (within past 6 months)

May be filmed in studio, outdoors, or from performance

Introduction

State your name, state, and choreographer(s) of piece

Attire

Wear clothing that allows adjudicators to see movement clearly

Avoid dark colors on dark background, oversized/loose clothing, hairstyles covering face

Prescreen Notes

Prescreen videos reviewed to determine invitation to full audition

Videos will not be reviewed until all materials are complete

BFA Dance · montclair.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Dance

Live Audition Solo

1 min solo in modern/contemporary genre (does not have to be same as prescreen)

Wear shoes or socks in which solo was choreographed

Identify choreographer or note if self-choreographed

No gymnastic-style movements (aerials, backflips)

BFA Dance · montclair.edu

University Essays

College of the Arts personal statement

No length limit stated

Discuss why you wish to study your program of choice in the College of the Arts at Montclair. Include highlights of your experience related to your chosen academic program and how those experiences have shaped your current career goals.

Essay Prompts · montclair.edu How Apply Montclairs Undergraduate Programs · montclair.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit the university application first; dance materials are uploaded through the Montclair application portal

Partner-organization audition applicants are not required to submit a prescreen video

Partner-audition applicants must still submit all other university application materials

Register with both the partner organization and Montclair's dance portal so the audition result connects to the university application

Current partner organizations (2026-2027 cycle): NYCDA, Dance Awards, Revel, Dance Forward, Dancewave, and GTen Global

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

In-person: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, includes info session, contemporary class, group improvisation, solo performance

Virtual: 1:45 pm – 5:30 pm EST, includes info session, contemporary class, improvisation, group interviews

Audition details and solo music link sent 3-5 days before audition date

Contact

Christina Paolucci, paoluccic@montclair.edu

Scholarship Info

Merit Scholarships

Artistic merit scholarships based on audition

Academic merit aid for students with 3.0+ GPA

Audition by end of January for stronger opportunity for artistic merit scholarship

Need-Based Aid

Need-based housing grants available

Additional scholarships through College of the Arts (apply in Spring semester)

Application

No separate application required for merit and artistic scholarships

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.33

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

65%

Enrollment

18.4K

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,854

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$27,570

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$38,828

Before aid

Average net price

$15,566

After aid

Tuition And Fees · montclair.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), which assesses dance degree programs every 10 years

Named one of the best dance programs in the country in a DanceUs.org ranking; the department lists it among the top 25 college dance programs in the U.S.

Training

Daily technique classes in multiple dance styles, with 24 credits of Modern/Contemporary and 18 credits of Ballet technique, plus Jazz and Dance Conditioning

Improvisation and Choreography I-III, Dance Science, Somatics and Self-care, Music for Dancers and Worlds of Dance (West African, Capoeira, Latin Ballroom or Cambodian)

Dance Repertory every year from freshman through senior year, and a Senior Project capstone

Continual faculty feedback and mentorship, personalized academic advising and a clear four-year degree path

Performance & Productions

Opportunities to perform and present choreographic work on and off campus from year one

Fall Dance and Spring Dance concerts present dance majors in repertory by faculty and guest choreographers

Location

Manhattan is 30 minutes away, connecting students with productions, internships and guest artists

Updated 1d ago