Program: Dance BA - University at Buffalo

Mar 30, 2025

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Do you love that feeling when your body moves perfectly across the stage or studio? Do you stay awake at night thinking about how to choreograph routines? Do you want to spend your life performing, directing or teaching dance?

If so, then majoring in dance might be right for you. It’s a program that will keep you on your toes-both literally and metaphorically. So if you want a lifetime of doing what you love (with people who love it as much as you do), then it’s time to take the next step.

Visit the Dance academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Theatre and Dance department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria

Admission for the Dance BA major requires an audition. Please visit the Audition Registration to schedule an audition.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite Courses (14 credits)

TH 106LEC - Introduction to Entertainment Technology Credits: 3
TH 135LAB - Production Practicum Credits: 1 OR
TH 136LAB - Production Practicum Credits: 1
DAC 201LEC - Modern Dance 1 Credits: 3 *
DAC 210LEC - Tap Dance 1 Credits: 3
DAC 213LEC - Ballet 1 Credits: 2 *
DAC 263LEC - Jazz Dance 1 Credits: 2

Dance Core (33-34 credits)

DAC 202LEC - Modern Dance 2 Credits: 2 *
DAC 211LEC - Tap Dance 2 Credits: 2
DAC 214LEC - Ballet 2 Credits: 2 *
DAC 264LEC - Jazz Dance 2 Credits: 2
DAC 330SEM - Global Dance Studies Credits: 3
DAC 350LEC - Introduction to Movement Analysis and Somatic Practice Credits: 3
DAC 430LEC - Dance History Credits: 3
DAC 432LEC - Applied Kinesiology and Anatomy for Dancers Credits: 3
DAC 441SEM - Choreography 1 Credits: 3
DAC 454SEM - Teaching Methods in Dance Credits: 3
DAC 481SEM - Research in Dance Credits: 3 OR
DAC 442SLB - Choreography 2 Credits: 3
TH 203LEC - Visual Imagination Credits: 3
Two 200/300-level TH practicums Credits: 1-2

One Technique Sequence (10 credits)

Complete one sequence through level 6 in Ballet, Modern or Jazz:

Ballet*

Modern*

Jazz

Notes

* Course fees may be associated with Ballet and Modern technique courses

Total Credits Required for Major: 57-58

Additional Degree Requirements Include:

Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
Elective courses as needed to complete the 120 credit hour total

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Requirements

Audition
Minimum GPA of 2.000 overall
Minimum GPA of 2.500 in the prerequisite courses
A minimum grade of C+ is necessary in all required courses.

Transfer Credit Policy

Students will be placed in the appropriate level of technique courses based on this evaluation, which may not correspond directly to student’s academic year. A core requirement of the Dance Program is the students’ practical work on and in productions. As performers, students need to be in residence at UB in order to complete degree requirements.

Curricular Plan

A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

First Year Fall

UB Seminar Credits: 3
ENG 105LEC - Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 4 OR Pathway Credits: 3
DAC 201LEC - Modern Dance 1 Credits: 3
DAC 213LEC - Ballet 1 Credits: 2
DAC 263LEC - Jazz Dance 1 Credits: 2
TH 106LEC - Introduction to Entertainment Technology Credits: 3
TH 135LAB - Production Practicum Credits: 1

Total Credits: 17 or 18

First Year Spring

TH 203LEC - Visual Imagination Credits: 3
DAC 202LEC - Modern Dance 2 Credits: 2
DAC 214LEC - Ballet 2 Credits: 2
DAC 264LEC - Jazz Dance 2 Credits: 2
DAC 211LEC - Tap Dance 2 Credits: 2
ENG 105LEC - Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 4 OR Pathway Credits: 3
Pathway Credits: 3

Total Credits: 17 or 18

Second Year Fall

DAC 345SEM - Modern Dance 3 Credits: 3 OR
DAC 341SEM - Ballet 3 Credits: 3 OR
DAC 371LEC - Jazz Dance 3 Credits: 3
DAC 350LEC - Introduction to Movement Analysis and Somatic Practice Credits: 3
Math & Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 4
Scientific Literacy and Inquiry 1 Credits: 3
Scientific Literacy and Inquiry Lab Credits: 1
200/300-level TH practicum Credits: 1

Total Credits: 15

Second Year Spring

DAC 330SEM - Global Dance Studies Credits: 3
DAC 346SEM - Modern Dance 4 Credits: 3 OR
DAC 342SEM - Ballet 4 Credits: 3 OR
DAC 372LEC - Jazz Dance 4 Credits: 3
200/300-level TH practicum Credits: 1
Scientific Literacy and Inquiry 2 Credits: 3
Pathway Credits: 3
Pathway Credits: 3

Total Credits: 19

Third Year Fall

Communication Literacy 2 Credits: 3
DAC 441SEM - Choreography 1 Credits: 3
DAC 410SEM - Modern Dance 5 Credits: 2 OR
DAC 417LEC - Jazz Dance 5 Credits: 2 OR
DAC 421SEM - Ballet 5 Credits: 2
Pathway Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
DAC 432LEC - Applied Kinesiology and Anatomy for Dancers Credits: 3

Total Credits: 17

Third Year Spring

DAC 411SEM - Modern Dance 6 Credits: 2 OR
DAC 418LEC - Jazz Dance 6 Credits: 2 OR
DAC 422SEM - Ballet 6 Credits: 2
DAC 454SEM - Teaching Methods in Dance Credits: 3
UBC 399MNT - UB Curriculum Capstone Credits: 1
Pathway Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 12

Fourth Year Fall

DAC 430LEC - Dance History Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 12

Fourth Year Spring

DAC 481SEM - Research in Dance Credits: 3 OR
DAC 442SLB - Choreography 2 Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 1

Total Credits: 10

Total Credits Required: 120

Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate: in studio classes and performances technical proficiency and performance ability in diverse/broad range of movement disciplines and styles. Students will be able to do the following:

Choreograph reflective principles, processes, and structures to create original work that exhibits choreographic intent.
Demonstrate Technical proficiency, rhythmic acuity moving musically & dynamically;
Demonstrate & develop instructional strategies for reaching the concepts of coordination, use of weight, directional focus;
Demonstrate & develop instructional strategies for teaching an understanding of musical accompaniment;
Demonstrate a knowledge of historical facts, social and cultural issues
Examine, research and communicate theoretical and interdisciplinary approaches to dance arts relation to other arts

(HEGIS: 10.08 DANCE, CIP: 50.0301 Dance, General)