Image
Kent State Dance, Bolero

Dance - B.F.A.

Where Passion and Opportunity Meet

 

At Kent State University you train for a life in the arts. You will engage daily with your craft through our professionally-modeled production season and join a network of nationally and internationally recognized alumni artists, designers, technicians, and educators. Dance is different at Kent State.

Contact Us

College of the Arts
School of Theatre and Dance - Dance Division
www.kent.edu/theatredance

Apply Now
Request Info
Schedule a Visit

Program Information

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance develops technically sound, intellectually diverse and creatively expressive dance artists who can contribute significantly to the art form and society. The curriculum provides students with opportunities for strong and varied technical preparation in contemporary dance forms, including modern, ballet, jazz and improvisation. Opportunities for performance and choreography, along with dance theory courses, complete a degree focused on the artist/scholar.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Admission to this major is selective. Students must audition before being admitted to the Dance major. Inquiries can be directed to the coordinator of the Dance Division, D-101C Center for the Performing Arts, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242-0001 (or call 330-672-2069).

For more information on admissions, including additional requirements for some academic programs, visit the admissions website for new freshmen and the admissions website for transfer, transitioning and former students.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Perform a wide range of dance works.
  2. Articulate and communicate an understanding of diverse dance forms, their histories and their relationship and representation in the contemporary era of dance.
  3. Articulate and communicate an understanding of dance theory, aesthetics and choreography.
  4. Devise and present choreography.
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
DAN 17053PRINCIPLES OF DANCE MECHANICS I 2
DAN 27070JAZZ STYLES I 2
DAN 27074DANCE COMPOSITION I 3
DAN 27170JAZZ STYLES II 2
DAN 37035DANCE COMPOSITION II 2
DAN 37053PRINCIPLES OF DANCE MECHANICS II 2
DAN 37070DANCE COMPOSITION III 2
DAN 37072DANCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2
DAN 37168MODERN 5B 13
DAN 37169BALLET 5B 13
DAN 37192DANCE PRACTICUM (ELR) 1
DAN 47060PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS IN DANCE 2
DAN 47063DANCE HISTORY I 3
DAN 47070JAZZ STYLES III 2
DAN 47163DANCE HISTORY II (WIC) 23
DAN 47170JAZZ STYLES IV 2
DAN 47299BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS CAPSTONE (ELR) 1-3
THEA 11732FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION II: COSTUMES, LIGHTING AND PROJECTIONS 2
THEA 11733FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY III: COSTUMES 1
or THEA 11734 FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY IV: LIGHTING, SOUND AND PROJECTIONS
Dance (DAN) or Theatre (THEA) Elective3
Dance (DAN) or Theatre (THEA) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level)4
Modern, choose from the following: 118
DAN 17051
MODERN 3A
DAN 17151
MODERN 3B
DAN 27071
MODERN 4A
DAN 27171
MODERN 4B
DAN 37068
MODERN 5A
DAN 37168
MODERN 5B
DAN 47054
MODERN 6A
DAN 47154
MODERN 6B
Ballet, choose from the following: 118
DAN 17054
BALLET 3A
DAN 17154
BALLET 3B
DAN 27073
BALLET 4A
DAN 27173
BALLET 4B
DAN 37069
BALLET 5A
DAN 37169
BALLET 5B
DAN 47069
BALLET 6A
DAN 47169
BALLET 6B
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum of one course in Ballet or Modern is required each semester that the student is enrolled. Successful completion of DAN 37168 and DAN 37169 is required to earn the B.F.A. degree in Dance. Promotion to the next level of technique is at the discretion of the dance faculty. Students must be enrolled in daily dance technique classes each semester. Students in the Dance major may take courses twice for credit toward their program requirements.

2

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Progression Requirements

  • Entrance to the Dance major within the B.F.A. is by audition.
  • Promotion to the next level is at the discretion of the dance faculty. Students must be enrolled in daily dance technique classes each semester until graduation.
  • Students enter on a probationary status and must maintain GPA requirements and professional standards as indicated in the student handbook in order to be allowed to audition for concerts and progress through to graduation.
  • All students in the Dance major must audition for and perform when cast in all Dance Division concerts.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.500 2.000
  • Students must participate in dance faculty juries and an annual review.
  • Successful completion of DAN 37168 and DAN 37169 is required for graduation.
  • Successful completion of DAN 47299 is the culminating experience required of this degree.
Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Dance (DAN) or Theatre (THEA) Elective 3
Ballet 3
Modern 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
DAN 17053 PRINCIPLES OF DANCE MECHANICS I 2
DAN 47063 DANCE HISTORY I 3
THEA 11732 FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION II: COSTUMES, LIGHTING AND PROJECTIONS 2
THEA 11733
or THEA 11734
 FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY III: COSTUMES
or FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY IV: LIGHTING, SOUND AND PROJECTIONS
1
Ballet 3
Modern 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Three
DAN 27070 JAZZ STYLES I 2
DAN 27074 DANCE COMPOSITION I 3
Ballet 3
Modern 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Four
DAN 27170 JAZZ STYLES II 2
DAN 37035 DANCE COMPOSITION II 2
Ballet 3
Modern 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Five
DAN 37053 PRINCIPLES OF DANCE MECHANICS II 2
DAN 37070 DANCE COMPOSITION III 2
DAN 37192 DANCE PRACTICUM (ELR) 1
DAN 47070 JAZZ STYLES III 2
Ballet 3
Modern 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Six
DAN 37072 DANCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2
DAN 47170 JAZZ STYLES IV 2
Ballet 3
Modern 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Seven
DAN 47060 PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS IN DANCE 2
DAN 47163 DANCE HISTORY II (WIC) 3
Ballet or Modern 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Eight
DAN 47299 BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS CAPSTONE (ELR) 1-3
Dance (DAN) or Theatre (THEA) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 4
Ballet or Modern 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)

Reasons to Choose Kent State
  • The Kent Dance Ensemble (KDE) - a pre-professional contemporary dance company, housed within a vibrant School of Theatre and Dance.
  • An impressive professional faculty offer a BFA focused on performance and choreography.
  • A BA in Dance Studies that allows one to complete a double major!
  • An ongoing roster of professional guest artists including choreographers, instructors and lecturers representing a wide range of dance styles and career perspectives.
  • A balanced curricular approach that combines rigorous training with academic excellence nurturing tomorrow's dance artists and scholars.
  • Small enough to provide personalized training and large enough to offer access to a world of possibilities!

Dance Auditions

Students who apply to Kent State University seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance Performance or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Dance Studies, and are accepted by the university, are automatically accepted as a B.A. in Dance Studies major. Congratulations!

To complete the admission process for the B.A. in Dance Studies degree program, students must schedule an audition for class-level placement.

If you wish to be considered for the B.F.A. Dance Performance degree, you are required to schedule an audition. When the audition has been completed, you will be notified if you have been accepted and class-level recommendations will be made.

An audition is not required for admission to the Dance minor, but Dance minors who wish to be considered for advanced placement must participate in an audition.

Dance Audition Information

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

5.6%

faster than the average

116,300

number of jobs

$69,690

potential earnings

Choreographers

14.0%

much faster than the average

5,500

number of jobs

$43,680

potential earnings

Dancers

2.3%

slower than the average

11,400

number of jobs

$N/A

potential earnings

Notice:

* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Career Opportunities

The B.F.A. prepares students for careers as performers, creators and presenters. Dancers and choreographers work in a variety of industries, such as public and private educational settings, performing companies, and amusement and recreation venues, such as casinos, theme parks and cruise ships. 

Related areas of employment include dance curation, dance administration, and therapeutic modalities such as dance science and medicine, physical and occupational therapy, dance therapy. 

© 2023 Kent State University All rights reserved.