Dance
Technical training and choreographic study across dance forms.
A dance major builds advanced technical skill across dance forms (ballet, modern, jazz, and often more) while also studying choreography, dance history, and increasingly the science of movement and injury prevention. Daily technique classes are the backbone of the degree.
Most programs include choreography courses where students create original work, and regular performance opportunities in faculty and student-choreographed productions, building both performance and creative skill.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Ballet Technique (all levels)
- ✓Modern Dance Technique
- ✓Jazz or Contemporary Technique
- ✓Choreography
- ✓Dance History
- ✓Anatomy & Kinesiology for Dancers
- ✓Improvisation
- ✓Senior Choreography / Performance Project
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Ballet Technique (all levels)
- +General education requirement
- ✓Modern Dance Technique
- +General education requirement
- ✓Jazz or Contemporary Technique
- +General education requirement
- ✓Choreography
- +Free elective
- ✓Dance History
- +Free elective
- ✓Anatomy & Kinesiology for Dancers
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Improvisation
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Senior Choreography / Performance Project
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Has significant prior dance training and wants to go deeper
- ★Physically disciplined with strong body awareness
- ★Interested in both performing and creating original choreography
- ★Comfortable with the physical demands of daily technique classes
Common minors & double-major pairings
Kinesiology · Theatre · Arts Administration
Frequently asked questions
What is a Dance major?
Technical training and choreographic study across dance forms.
What courses do Dance majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Ballet Technique (all levels), Modern Dance Technique, Jazz or Contemporary Technique, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Dance program?
Dance coursework typically builds skills like Advanced technical dance skill across styles, Choreographic composition, Body awareness and injury-prevention knowledge, Performance discipline and stage presence.
Is Dance a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Has significant prior dance training and wants to go deeper" or "Physically disciplined with strong body awareness" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What other majors pair well with Dance?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Kinesiology, Theatre, Arts Administration.
How is Dance different from Theatre / Drama?
They're related but distinct. Dance: Technical training and choreographic study across dance forms. Theatre / Drama: The craft of live performance, acting, directing, and production. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Dance degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
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