Dance (B.F.A.)

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance program combines conservatory-style training in dance along with a liberal arts curriculum to prepare students for careers in the  professional field. Students are offered ample opportunities to choreograph and perform in conjunction with their coursework. The program is based within the Department of Theatre & Dance.  For further information, go to BFA Dance. (Note: All Theatre & Dance majors must pass yearly juries/portfolio reviews and faculty evaluation for continuation in the programs.)

Program Requirements Overview

General Education Requirements22
World Languages and Cultures Requirements3-6
Major Requirements86
Free Electives9-6
Total Credits120

Major Requirements

Performance and Choreography
Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary
Select 24 credits from the following:24
Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary I
Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary II
Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary III
Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary IV
Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary V
Dance Technique: Ballet
Select 18 credits from the following:18
Dance Technique: Ballet I
Dance Technique: Ballet II
Dance Technique: Ballet III
Dance Technique: Ballet IV
Dance Technique: Ballet V
Dance Technique: Ballet VI
Dance Technique: Other
DNCE 253Dance Technique: Jazz3
DNCE 230Dance Conditioning3
Dance Repertory
DNCE 184Dance Repertory For Freshmen I0.5
DNCE 185Dance Repertory For Freshmen II0.5
DNCE 284Dance Repertory for Sophomores I0.5
DNCE 285Dance Repertory for Sophomores II0.5
DNCE 384Dance Repertory for Juniors I0.5
DNCE 385Dance Repertory for Juniors II0.5
DNCE 484Dance Repertory for Seniors I0.5
DNCE 485Dance Repertory for Seniors II0.5
Improvisation and Choreography
DNCE 160Dance Improvisation2
DNCE 161Choreography I2
DNCE 261Choreography II2
DNCE 361Choreography III2
Capstone Course
DNCE 480Senior Project3
Theoretical Studies
DNCE 120Music for Dancers3
DNCE 130Dance Science3
DNCE 131Health and Wellness Workshop (Complete a minimum of 8 times. There is no credit associated with this course.)0
DNCE 135Somatics and Self-care3
DNCE 145Worlds of Dance (Choose West African, Capoeira, Latin Ballroom, or Cambodian)3
DNCE 150Production Elements-Dance2
DNCE 317Explorations in American Dance History3
DNCE 362Digital Technologies and Dance3
DNCE 402Dance Methods3
Total Credits86

General Education Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.

A. New Student Seminar
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course.1
C. Communication
1. Writing 3
2. Literature3
3. Communication3
F. Humanities
1. Great Works and Their Influences3
2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives 3
G. Computer Science
Complete a 3 credit Computer Science course.3
K. Social Science
1. American and European History 3
Total Credits22

World Languages and Cultures Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.

World Languages
Based on language placement exam, complete one or two sequential courses in the same language. Requirement is automatically fulfilled by language major courses.3-6
World Cultures
Requirement may be fulfilled by course selected in General Education - Social Science: Global Cultural Perspectives. Requirement may also be fulfilled by major coursework. See list of courses.0-3
Total Credits3-9

Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion

This four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years.  This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar1GENERAL EDUCATION: (C2) Literature3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing3Dance Technique: Ballet3
Dance Technique: Ballet3Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary3
Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary3DNCE 1203
DNCE 1310DNCE 1310
DNCE 1353DNCE 1602
DNCE 1502DNCE 1850.5
DNCE 1840.5 
 15.5 14.5
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Dance Technique: Ballet3GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication3
Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary3GENERAL EDUCATION: (G) Computer Science3
DNCE 1303Dance Technique: Ballet3
DNCE 1310Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary3
DNCE 1453DNCE 1310
DNCE 1612DNCE 2612
DNCE 2840.5DNCE 2850.5
 14.5 14.5
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary3Dance Technique: Ballet3
DNCE 2533Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary3
DNCE 1310DNCE 1310
DNCE 3612DNCE 3173
DNCE 3840.5DNCE 3623
World Language 13DNCE 3850.5
Free Elective3World Language 23
 14.5 15.5
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives3GENERAL EDUCATION: (F1) Humanities – Great Works and Their Influences3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (K3) Social Science – American and European History3Dance Technique: Ballet3
Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary3Dance Technique: Modern/Contemporary3
DNCE 1310DNCE 1310
DNCE 2303DNCE 4023
DNCE 4803DNCE 4850.5
DNCE 4840.5Free Elective3
 15.5 15.5
Total Credits 120