MA Professional Practice Dance Technique Pedagogy

Overview & facilities

The MA Professional Practice in Dance Technique Pedagogy is a highly flexible postgraduate qualification designed for newly qualified or experienced dance teachers working in and beyond schools.  Developed in collaboration with The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), the programme has been developed especially to allow you to continue working and integrate your professional expertise with academic learning.

The development of ‘self’ as a practicing artist/educator is a central focus of this programme, alongside critical reflection on and advancement of one’s individual pedagogic practice.

As a core part of the programme you will make a claim for academic credits for your professional experience, and / or your professional qualifications, whether credit bearing or not. This then forms the basis for a major project with a focus on technique pedagogy.

Content & modules

The course's long-term value derives from its innovative structure. By recognising your professional experience and/or prior professional dance teaching qualifications, you are invited to reflect on past achievement, current work and future direction. The course enables you to make full use of your skills and knowledge, and find ways to align current work with future aspirations.

This is a flexible course, with the option of campus-based tutorials. You can study at your own pace anywhere in the world. Every student is assigned a personal academic advisor who supports each candidate through the course phases. Contact is normally maintained by email, Skype and phone as well as optional campus-based tutorials. Every module has a detailed distance learning handbook. There are no traditional taught elements requiring attendance at the University. As a student on the course you will have full access to the e-resources of the university’s library and learning resources at both the Trent Park and Hendon libraries.

Engagement in learning and teaching is conducted across the professional network of learners and teachers. We use social media technologies for this purpose. This means you will be able to engage in learning activities when and where it best suits you and your professional commitments.

Modules

Semester 1
Review of Learning (RoL) – In this module, you review prior learning based on your professional experience including prior credit-bearing learning and other dance teaching qualifications. You can obtain half of your MA by this route – Module Code: WBS 4510

Semester 2
Advanced Practitioner Inquiry  - In this module you plan an in-depth piece of research of your choice within the field of dance technique pedagogy - Module Code: WBS 4630

Semester 3
Negotiated Work Based Learning Project – In this module you apply your research plan, developing a high-level understanding of an issue, or develop a work-related solution, within the field of dance technique pedagogy - Module Code: WBS 4760

Entry & applying

The entry requirement for this programme is that you are a dance teacher. You do not need a degree as an entry requirement. You will benefit from prior experience in dance teaching, and/or from professional dance teaching qualifications. This is because the programme is intended to help you gain recognition within higher education for professional qualifications and experience.

Newly qualified/less experienced dance teachers are welcomed. You may be advised to take additional Continuing Professional Development short courses at Middlesex University or ISTD. This is where you may have insufficient professional experience and/or prior dance teaching qualifications to obtain the necessary credits as part of the RoL module. We can advise you on your options in this instance.

Experienced and qualified dance teachers will be able to make full use of their professional qualifications, short courses and professional experience as part of this programme gaining half of your MA from prior experience and professional qualifications (e.g. PGCE, PGCHE, DTLLS, ISTD Diploma, BBO qualifications etc). The programme staff can advise on which qualifications you can include and how to gain recognition for them.

Where English is not your first language, you will need to provide IELTS results of at least 6.5, or TOEFL 575 paper or 232 computer, or an equivalent before starting the programme.

Application is made directly to Middlesex University. Please contact the Work Based Learning office in the School of Arts and Education for an application pack and application form:

Avni Shah
Work Based Learning Administrator
School of Arts and Education
Middlesex University
Trent Park (Room 219)
N14 4ZY

Phone :020 8411 4129
Email: Avni Shah

Fees & funding

The fee for MA Professional Practice Dance Technique Pedagogy for the academic year 2012/13 is as follows:

UK/EU Students

£50 per taught credit

Find out about our flexible payment plans for UK/EU students, and how they can help you spread the cost of your course.

International Students

Part-time students: £65 per taught credit

Careers & placements

This is a programme of a demanding academic level of study. Applicants are likely to already working at a sophisticated professional level as dance teachers or related leadership, management or development roles. Successful students will benefit from an academic qualification that establishes and demonstrates to a professional audience exacting standards of knowledge and skills, the ability to work with and communicate complex ideas and to bring to fruition a large, work-related project.