Course summary

Enhance Your Expertise as a Dance Educator The MA Professional Dance Pedagogy offers a flexible approach to PG study for established dance teachers. Students on this programme have the opportunity to undertake a rigorous evaluation of their professional teaching practice through engagement with theories and frameworks for Reflective and Reflexive Practice and Dance Pedagogy, before identifying a specific area of their current practice for deeper interrogation through an Independent Research Project. Through this MA, students gain tools to deepen their understanding of dance pedagogy, apply research methodologies, consider ethical dimensions of dance teaching and learning, and enhance their professional identity. The programme combines theory and practice, encouraging critical thinking and transformation within the context of each student’s own teaching. Delivered through online learning, the course promotes learning via discussion, debate, and shared experience. Students engage in an active Virtual Learning Environment with guided tasks, curated resources, and opportunities for both asynchronous and synchronous learning via discussion forums and Microsoft Teams. Designed for dance teachers working in diverse settings—schools, communities, private studios, conservatoires, and professional companies—the MA allows students to remain embedded in their own practice while studying. It supports those seeking to strengthen their professional credibility or transition into higher education teaching roles. The programme blends theory and practice throughout the learning experience and offers a pedagogical focus for dance teachers / practitioners who are looking to establish greater credibility in their identity as a dance teacher / practitioner, or to move into higher level teaching environments. Throughout the MA emphasis is placed on the individual professional practice of each student. Success on this programme is through the demonstrable ability to critically reflect, evaluate, analyse, and transform, through research, one’s own community of practice and contribution to the field of dance pedagogy. How will the course do this?

• Advance your dance teaching practice – enhance your professional pedagogic practice and deepen your knowledge of dance teaching approaches to strengthen your established teaching practice.

• Develop the tools for reflection, transformation and personal growth – learn how to critically evaluate your current dance teaching practice with the support of an internationally recognised dance institution to further your professional development.

• Build competence within research design – gain an in depth understanding of qualitative research frameworks and practice-as-research methodologies to lead your own research projects, with the support of NSCD’s expert tutors.

• Make a difference to society – contribute to the field of dance pedagogy by establishing your own academic frameworks that support students’ articulation of knowledge and meet the needs of your practice.

• Experience flexible distanced learning – fully online course delivery means you can study at NSCD wherever you are in the world, enabling you to remain in the context of your own community practice and fit your learning around your life.