The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance program combines conservatory-based training in many genres of dance with a liberal arts curriculum to prepare students for careers as professional dancers. 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.)
Dance BFA students must:
- attain the Advanced level in one dance technique and Intermediate in the other for at least one semester prior to graduation; and
- complete the major course requirements listed below:
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Program Requirements Overview
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 22 | |
| World Languages and Cultures Requirements | 3-6 | |
| Major Requirements | 86 | |
| Free Electives | 9-6 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Performance and Choreography | ||
| Dance Technique: Modern | ||
| Select 24 credits from the following: | 24 | |
| Dance Technique: Modern I | ||
| Dance Technique: Modern II | ||
| Dance Technique: Modern III | ||
| Dance Technique: Modern IV | ||
| Dance Technique: Modern V | ||
| Dance Technique: Ballet | ||
| Select 24 credits from the following: | 24 | |
| 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 Repertory | ||
| Select 4 credits from the following: | 4 | |
| Dance Repertory For Freshmen I | ||
| Dance Repertory For Freshmen II | ||
| Dance Repertory for Sophomores I | ||
| Dance Repertory for Sophomores II | ||
| Dance Repertory for Juniors I | ||
| Dance Repertory for Juniors II | ||
| Dance Repertory for Seniors I | ||
| Dance Repertory for Seniors II | ||
| Improvisation and Choreography | ||
| DNCE 160 | Dance Improvisation | 2 |
| DNCE 161 | Choreography I | 2 |
| DNCE 261 | Choreography II | 2 |
| DNCE 361 | Choreography III | 2 |
| Capstone Course | ||
| DNCE 480 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Theoretical Studies | ||
| DNCE 120 | Music for Dancers | 3 |
| DNCE 130 | Dance Science | 3 |
| DNCE 131 | Health and Wellness Workshop 1 | 0 |
| DNCE 135 | Somatics and Self-care | 3 |
| DNCE 145 | Worlds of Dance | 3 |
| DNCE 150 | Production Elements-Dance | 2 |
| DNCE 317 | Explorations in American Dance History | 3 |
| DNCE 362 | Digital Technologies and Dance | 3 |
| DNCE 402 | Dance Methods | 3 |
| Total Credits | 86 | |
| 1 | Complete course a minimum of 8 times. There is no credit associated with this course. |
General Education Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A. New Student Seminar | ||
| Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course. | 1 | |
| C. Communication | ||
| 1. Writing | 3 | |
| 2. Literature | 3 | |
| 3. Communication | 3 | |
| F. Humanities | ||
| 1. Great Works and Their Influences | 3 | |
| 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 Credits | 22 | |
World Languages and Cultures Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| World Languages | ||
| Based on placement exam complete one or two sequential courses in one language. | 3-6 | |
| World Cultures | ||
| Worlds of Dance (Fulfilled in the major.) | ||
| Total Credits | 3-6 | |
Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion
This recommended 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| GNED 199 | New Student Seminar | 1 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: BALLET | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: MODERN | 3 | |
| DNCE 131 | Health and Wellness Workshop | 0 |
| DNCE 135 | Somatics and Self-care | 3 |
| DNCE 150 | Production Elements-Dance | 2 |
| DNCE 184 | Dance Repertory For Freshmen I | 0.5 |
| Credits | 15.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (C2) Literature | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: BALLET | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: MODERN | 3 | |
| DNCE 120 | Music for Dancers | 3 |
| DNCE 131 | Health and Wellness Workshop | 0 |
| DNCE 160 | Dance Improvisation | 2 |
| DNCE 185 | Dance Repertory For Freshmen II | 0.5 |
| Credits | 14.5 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Dance Technique: BALLET | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: MODERN | 3 | |
| DNCE 130 | Dance Science | 3 |
| DNCE 131 | Health and Wellness Workshop | 0 |
| DNCE 145 | Worlds of Dance | 3 |
| DNCE 161 | Choreography I | 2 |
| DNCE 284 | Dance Repertory for Sophomores I | 0.5 |
| Credits | 14.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication | 3 | |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (G) Computer Science | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: BALLET | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: MODERN | 3 | |
| DNCE 131 | Health and Wellness Workshop | 0 |
| DNCE 261 | Choreography II | 2 |
| DNCE 285 | Dance Repertory for Sophomores II | 0.5 |
| Credits | 14.5 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Dance Technique: BALLET | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: MODERN | 3 | |
| DNCE 131 | Health and Wellness Workshop | 0 |
| DNCE 361 | Choreography III | 2 |
| DNCE 384 | Dance Repertory for Juniors I | 0.5 |
| World Language | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| Dance Technique: BALLET | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: MODERN | 3 | |
| DNCE 131 | Health and Wellness Workshop | 0 |
| DNCE 317 | Explorations in American Dance History | 3 |
| DNCE 362 | Digital Technologies and Dance | 3 |
| DNCE 385 | Dance Repertory for Juniors II | 0.5 |
| World Language | 3 | |
| Credits | 15.5 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives | 3 | |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (K3) Social Science – American and European History | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: BALLET | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: MODERN | 3 | |
| DNCE 131 | Health and Wellness Workshop | 0 |
| DNCE 480 | Senior Project | 3 |
| DNCE 484 | Dance Repertory for Seniors I | 0.5 |
| Credits | 15.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (F1) Humanities – Great Works and Their Influences | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: BALLET | 3 | |
| Dance Technique: MODERN | 3 | |
| DNCE 131 | Health and Wellness Workshop | 0 |
| DNCE 402 | Dance Methods | 3 |
| DNCE 485 | Dance Repertory for Seniors II | 0.5 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15.5 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |