The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography requires a total of 120 credits, with 81 of those credits as the major core curriculum. Alongside general education courses, dance-focused academics and creative process classes (i.e. composition and choreography), dance majors are typically required to take two technique classes daily throughout the majority of their studies. The continuous study of modern/contemporary dance and ballet is a strong component of the curriculum. In addition, elective courses in partnering, jazz, hip hop, West African, contact improvisation, yoga, Pilates and other studio experiences are offered, rounding out a curriculum that also involves studies in anatomy and dance science, dance history, and music, among other areas. Within the major core there are opportunities for repertory experience and for independent study.

The dance major program is rigorous. Students’ technique placement within the required major courses is determined through departmental assessment and placement processes. Formal evaluation procedures include a placement class for entering students, juried examinations at the end of the first semester of the freshman and sophomore years and every semester of the junior and senior years. In the second semester of the freshman and sophomore years the jury is folded into a comprehensive career evaluation called the Freshmen Review and the Sophomore Readmittance Exam, respectively. These career evaluations are to assess each student’s progress in relationship to the standards of the program and progress toward degree completion. Students in the major program may be notified of probationary status after the Freshmen Review. All majors must pass the Sophomore Readmittance Exam in order to continue in the major. This exam stands on its own as a separate evaluation from course grades.

The VCU dance program provides abundant opportunities for students to interact with faculty and guest artists in academic, professional, creative and performance contexts. Within the School of the Arts, dance students have frequent opportunities to work collaboratively with other students in the arts. Possibilities include the visual arts, participation in multimedia events and productions outside the dance department. Any dance major or minor can perform in numerous formal concerts, informal showings and lecture-demonstrations produced by the department. Opportunities also are available for training in teaching, but students interested in earning state certification should consult their advisers.

Student learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:

  • Students should achieve proficiency in improvisation, composition, choreography and related art forms that encourage creativity and an individual point of view.
  • Students should become proficient in modern dance technique and performance and a diverse range of other dance techniques in order to maximize their potential to become versatile dancers of technical excellence.
  • Students should demonstrate a global and historical perspective of dance as an art form, with an emphasis on diverse contemporary approaches to dance making, research and performance.
  • Students should demonstrate writing and critical-thinking skills.
  • Students should demonstrate comprehensive and theoretical understanding of the field of dance.
 

Special requirements

An audition is required for acceptance into the dance program. Applicants must follow the admissions guidelines for arts students as described in the “Admission to the university” section of the bulletin.

To be eligible for graduation, dance majors must meet the proficiency requirements of having completed two semesters of level IV technique (DANC 401-DANC 402) or achieved an equivalent through departmentally approved summer study. In order to graduate, students must also complete a senior project, which is a practical presentation in creative work. Senior projects are approved in multiple stages by a review committee composed of full-time faculty members. Eligibility is based on the student’s overall academic record (credits earned, requirements met). Approval in stage one is based on the quality of the student’s written proposal; in stage two it is based upon evaluation/review of the student’s completed project proposed for presentation.

Degree requirements for Dance and Choreography, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

Course Title Hours
General education
Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser.30
Major requirements
• Major core requirements
DANC 103Survey of Dance History3
DANC 104Survey of Dance History3
DANC 105Improvisation2
DANC 201
DANC 202
Modern Dance Technique II and Workshop
and Modern Dance Technique II and Workshop
6
DANC 260Dance Production Workshop2
DANC 301
DANC 302
Modern Dance Technique III and Workshop
and Modern Dance Technique III and Workshop
6
DANC 317Anatomy for the Dancer1
DANC 318Dance Science3
DANC 407Teaching Methods for Dance3
DANC 490Senior Project3
• Additional major requirements
DANC 101
DANC 102
Modern Dance Technique I and Workshop
and Modern Dance Technique I and Workshop
6
DANC 107Music and Dance Forms2
DANC 162Rehearsal and Performance2
DANC 205
DANC 206
Composition
and Composition
6
DANC 303Choreography/Performance2
DANC 313Dance in World Cultures3
or DANC 413 African American Presence in American Dance, Performance and Social Contexts
or DANC 415 Black Performance Theory
DANC 401
DANC 402
Modern Dance Technique IV and Workshop
and Modern Dance Technique IV and Workshop
6
• Major electives
Ballet technique (placement by department approval)16
Ballet Technique I
and Ballet Technique I Laboratory
Ballet Technique I
and Ballet Technique I Laboratory
Ballet Technique II
and Ballet Technique II Laboratory
Ballet Technique II
and Ballet Technique II Laboratory
Ballet Technique III
Ballet Technique III
Ballet Technique IV
Ballet Technique IV
Ballet Technique III Laboratory
Ballet Technique III Laboratory
Ballet Technique IV Laboratory
Ballet Technique IV Laboratory
Creative practicum2
Choreography/Performance
Screen Dance
Lighting Design for Dance
Sound Design for Dance
Topics in Dance
Technique elective (select from list below)2
Dance electives (select from list below)2
Open electives
Select any course.9
Total Hours120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Electives

Course Title Hours
Technique electives
DANC/AFAM 121Tap Technique I2
DANC/AFAM 122Tap Technique I2
DANC 126
DANC 127
African-Caribbean Dance I
and African-Caribbean Dance I
4
DANC 141Ballroom Dancing1
DANC 142Ballroom Dancing1
DANC 191West African Dance Techniques2
DANC 213Beginning/Intermediate Pointe1
DANC 251Jazz Technique II2
DANC 253Pilates1-2
DANC 254Yoga1-3
DANC 255Hip Hop Dance2
DANC 256Hip Hop Dance2
DANC 315Contact Improvisation2
DANC 321Partnering2
Approved topics courses
Dance electives
ARTS 460Synesthesia: Exploring Process Across Disciplines2
DANC 230Dance in Hollywood3
DANC 408Children's Pedagogy2
DANC 455Dance Criticism2
DANC 460Business of Dance2
Approved topics courses

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Freshman year
Fall semesterHours
DANC 101 Modern Dance Technique I and Workshop 3
DANC 103 Survey of Dance History 3
DANC 105 Improvisation 2
DANC 111
DANZ 111
Ballet Technique I
and Ballet Technique I Laboratory
3
UNIV 111 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry I Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 17
Spring semester
DANC 102 Modern Dance Technique I and Workshop 3
DANC 104 Survey of Dance History 3
DANC 107 Music and Dance Forms 2
DANC 112
DANZ 112
Ballet Technique I
and Ballet Technique I Laboratory
3
DANC 162 Rehearsal and Performance 2
UNIV 112 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry II Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
 Term Hours: 16
Sophomore year
Fall semester
DANC 201 Modern Dance Technique II and Workshop 3
DANC 205 Composition 3
DANC 211
DANZ 211
Ballet Technique II
and Ballet Technique II Laboratory
3
DANC 260 Dance Production Workshop 2
General education course 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 17
Spring semester
DANC 202 Modern Dance Technique II and Workshop 3
DANC 206 Composition 3
DANC 212
DANZ 212
Ballet Technique II
and Ballet Technique II Laboratory
3
DANC 317 Anatomy for the Dancer 1
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Junior year
Fall semester
DANC 301 Modern Dance Technique III and Workshop 3
DANC 303 Choreography/Performance 2
DANC 318 Dance Science 3
Ballet technique 2
General education course 3
Technique elective 1
 Term Hours: 14
Spring semester
DANC 302 Modern Dance Technique III and Workshop 3
DANC 313
Dance in World Cultures (Performance and Social Contexts) (interdependence work culture elective)
or African American Presence in American Dance, Performance and Social Contexts
or Black Performance Theory
3
Ballet technique 2
Creative practicum elective 2
General education course 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Senior year
Fall semester
DANC 401 Modern Dance Technique IV and Workshop 3
DANC 407 Teaching Methods for Dance 3
Dance elective 2
Open electives 3
Technique elective 1
 Term Hours: 12
Spring semester
DANC 402 Modern Dance Technique IV and Workshop 3
DANC 490 Senior Project (capstone) 3
Open electives 6
 Term Hours: 12
 Total Hours: 120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.