Expand Your Dance Career Possibilities
Point Park University's innovative School of Education and world-renowned Conservatory of Performing Arts are proud to be the first in Pennsylvania to offer a Master of Education in PreK-12 Dance Education Certification program, an opportunity for dance professionals to broaden their skillset in teaching the art of dance. With this in-depth, relevant and content-specific certification, dancers who envision a career outside of performance will be well-prepared and competitive in the workforce.
Eligibility
Students eligible for the M.Ed. in PreK-12 Dance Education Certification include current or future Point Park dance students pursuing their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, and any student who has earned a B.F.A. or B.A. in dance from other institutions.
A baccalaureate degree in dance is strongly preferred. However, applicants with a baccalaureate degree in another discipline may be considered for admission if they can demonstrate extensive professional investment in the field, such as professional performance or dance pedagogy experience.
M.Ed. Program at a Glance
- Fully online, flexible format
- Includes 11 courses, as well as student teaching and a seminar, totaling 42 credits
- A distinctive blend of dance pedagogy and educator core competencies, taught by experienced professors who are skilled at supporting students' needs, career-readiness and quest for artistic excellence
- Students will strengthen their understanding of child development, diverse learning styles, assessment, communication and differentiated learning practices.
Learn More from Our Virtual Info Session
Online Program Details
Point Park’s online programs are offered in a flexible format at an affordable cost. Online courses are 8 weeks long and are always offered asynchronously for your convenience.
Online students have access to the same great benefits as those on campus:
- Point Park faculty with real-world experience.
- Small online class sizes for individualized attention.
- A full spectrum of University resources.
- A student success advisor offering support from application to graduation, who will guide you to successfully complete your degree.
I took a class as an undergraduate that seems the same or has the same name as a class in this program (i.e. Dance History). Do I need to repeat it? How would the class at a graduate level be different?
The classes have been developed and adapted to meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Dance Education competencies. Courses will be taught from the perspective of a dance educator. While some M.Ed. courses may have the same name as undergraduate courses, the M.Ed. courses contain advanced graduate level material designed to meet the PDE criteria. For example, the Dance History course connects new research with culturally responsive teaching, and Dance Pedagogy addresses how the “creator economy” reflects 21st century skills. These courses cover the most recent work in the dance field, and your instructors will address how to apply this information in the classroom.
Does this certification cover multiple types of dance?
Yes, the certification covers all areas of dance.
To obtain the PreK-12 Dance Certification, the PDE requires that students demonstrate “technical proficiency in a minimum of one dance form such as, but in no way limited to Caribbean, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, and other African diasporic forms; ballet, ballroom, Flamenco, modern, musical theatre, and other Western forms; Bharatnatyam, Chinese Traditional, and forms from other Asian and Middle Eastern diasporas; and improvisational, folk, traditional, and classical forms, creative movement, and general understanding of somatic practices.” In addition, Conservatory of Performing Arts instructors will address the history, aesthetics and pedagogy of ballet, jazz, and modern dance forms.
Is this completely online? Will I need to attend any live sessions?
The program is fully asynchronous and online. Instructors will often hold optional virtual meetings. The student teaching practicum is the final semester and is in person at your school placement location.
Will I need to leave my job when it is time to complete the practicum?
Students are required to student teach for 60 days/420 hours. Placements are typically Monday through Friday, during school hours.
I am out of state but don't mind returning to Pennsylvania for the practicum. Does it need to be 30 consecutive days in PA?
Students looking for alternative schedules will need to work with the Student Teaching Coordinator to determine the placement calendar.
Can you tell me what the student teaching would look like? Would I have a cooperating teacher?
Each week, students will gradually assume teaching responsibilities. The final two weeks of the placement typically has the student teacher teaching the full day.
Where can I student teach? Would a private school be accepted as a student teaching location?
Graduate students find their own placements. Private and charter schools are acceptable. We can assist any student needing help with a placement.
Will I be a certified teacher once I earn this M.Ed?
Once the student completes the program and passes the certification exam, they can apply for PA PreK-12 Dance Education certification through the PDE website.
Does certification expire? What would the renewal process look like?
Instructional I certificates are valid for six years from the start of a teaching position. Instructional II certificates can be earned through additional credits and submitting an application to PDE- no additional exams are required for Instructional II.
Can I, once certified, get certified in other fields? Would you recommend that?
Certified PA teachers can add on certification through passing the exams. All content areas can be added on excluding Special Education, Physical Education and specific specialized areas. PreK-4, 4-8 and Secondary Ed can be added on.
How can I order books?
On our website, students can find the books required for their classes. Using the drop-down menus, select the semester and the appropriate department name (EDUC or SPED), course number and section (you may use any online section designation as books are the same no matter the section – for example, OAON, O2ON, OCON, etc.) ISBNs are provided for your use.
Rental and digital download options may be available from the bookstore. Students can arrange to have books shipped to them for a nominal shipping fee through our bookstore. If a course does not list required books, the instructor may be using a combination of open source materials, research articles, book chapters and online resources.
Learn more: step-by-step guide to ordering books on our website.
I am a Point Park alumni. Can I use the alumni discount?
The School of Education discount exceeds the 25% alumni discount. Unfortunately, discounts cannot be stacked.
Learn More
Contact Jodi Golis, admissions counselor in the Office of Graduate and Online Admissions, at 412-392-3812 or jgolis@pointpark.edu.