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

About This Program

Pursue your passion for dance with the Dance B.F.A. program. Develop your skills as a performer and choreographer and prepare for a career in the dance industry. Read more...

Contact Information

• Tony Hardin | ahardi14@kent.edu
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)

^{* 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.}

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. More information about dance auditions can be found on the school website.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students must take a minimum six semesters of DAN 37092 or DAN 37192. Maximum 8 credit hours of DAN 37192 may be applied toward major requirements.

²

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

³

Students must be enrolled in a minimum of one 90-minute daily dance technique course each semester. Promotion to the next level of technique is at the discretion of the dance faculty. Students may take technique courses an unlimited number of times for credit toward their program requirements.

⁴

Students may substitute a musical theatre dance style course for any of the four required semesters of jazz with approval.

Progression Requirements

• Promotion to the next level is at the discretion of the dance faculty. Students must be enrolled in daily 90-minute dance technique courses each semester until graduation.
• All ballet and modern courses must be taken for a minimum 2 credit hours.
• 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. Students may petition for an exception due to either injury or an approved performance opportunity outside of Kent State.

Graduation Requirements

• Students must participate in dance faculty juries and an annual review.
• Successful completion of DAN 47299 (culminating experience) is required.

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.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Perform a wide range of dance works with an intentional focus on the inclusion of Western and non-Western dance forms.
2. Articulate and communicate an embodied understanding of diverse dance forms; their histories, including the role of oppression; and their relationship and representation in the contemporary era of dance.
3. Articulate and demonstrate dance theory, aesthetics, pedagogy and choreography.
4. Create, revise, reflect and present choreography.

Policies

Physical Activity and ROTC Courses

No more than 4 credit hours of Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses or the first 16 credit hours of ROTC courses—Aerospace Studies (ASTU) and Military Studies (MSCI)—may apply to the 120 credit hours required for graduation.

Veterans who have completed a minimum of one year of active duty may receive PWS credit for military basic training according to branch of service, as follows:

• Army and Marine Corps, 3 credit hours;
• Navy and Coast Guard, 2 credit hours;
• Air Force, 1 credit hour.

Requirement Audit

Upon completion of 60 credit hours, each student is required to contact the College of the Arts Advising office to obtain a current evaluation of progress toward completion of the student’s chosen degree program. Requirement evaluations are not a substitute for meeting with a faculty advisor. Students may access GPS (Graduation Planning System) audit through their FlashLine account which provides them with information about their academic progress. Questions about GPS audits are answered in the College of the Arts Advising office.

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.