Dance Education (B.A., B.S.)

Return to: Department of Theatre, Dance, and Arts Administration

Student Success Advisor(s)

Sample Degree Plan

Program Summary

Purpose Statement

Our purpose is to foster academic and artistic excellence in a nurturing and challenging educational environment. Within a liberal arts and science tradition, the dance experience at SUU engages students in a rich diversity of experiences aimed to cultivate their aesthetic, creative, and scholarly potential. Central to our purpose is superior teaching and personalized mentorship that empowers and transforms the learner to be a dynamic individual.

Program Learning Outcomes

A successful student will:

• Have a working knowledge of human movement and anatomy and how it relates to the teaching of dance technique.
• Have a working knowledge of how principles of composition are used as tools for choreography.
• Examine perspectives of critical analysis of the artistic process and aesthetics.
• Have a working knowledge of the historical development of dance as an art form.
• Understand basic production processes (i.e. performing, dancing, choreographing, and sound editing).
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency in modern dance or ballet and an intermediate level in modern dance or ballet.
• Have an appreciation of dance as a world art form.
• Be prepared to become educators with a strong practical knowledge of dance in education and its ability to educate the whole person.
• Have a working knowledge of the state of Utah and national dance standards.
• Have the methods and skills of teaching with the ability to communicate the art of dance to students.

Program Information

• All courses must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better to be counted in the major.
• Students will complete a Capstone which will develop original scholarship that critically evaluates and analyzes their creative practice through a written and oral defense presentation to faculty within their discipline.
• Juries will be held annually for all dance majors to assess progress and determine each student’s level of skill and competency.
• Exit interviews will be held for all graduating seniors.
• Every student is required to abide by the policies and procedures set up in the Departmental Student Handbook: www.suu.edu/pva/ta/pdf/student-handbook.pdf.
• To qualify for technique classes that are level III or above requires a placement audition or Department approval.
• Students will complete levels III and IV in Jazz Dance, Modern Dance, and Ballet technique.
  • If seeking secondary licensure: Complete levels V and VI in Modern Dance technique.
  • If not seeking licensure: Complete 4 credits within levels V and VI in aforementioned discipline(s) of choice.
• Dance Education majors not seeking secondary licensure must complete additional requirements (see below).

Education Admission Requirements

Students desiring to become candidates for licensure to teach in secondary schools or secondary licensure with K-6 endorsement must complete the following admission procedures:

1. Be admitted to the secondary education program (contact the Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education and Human Development  for procedures).
2. Receive department admission approval for pre-licensure that is a separate procedure from the placement audition, required for technique classes that are level III or above.

Department Admission Requirements

The department admission requirements for dance education pre-licensure students include the following:

• Completion of DANC 2080 - Improvisation , DANC 3350 - Ballet IV , DANC 4380 - Modern Dance VI , and DANC 2510 - Dance Composition I  with a 3.0 GPA prior to admission. (All courses are also requirements in Dance (B.A., B.S.) .)
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Performance in one department mainstage dance concert prior to admission.
• Submission of a portfolio that includes samples of student choreography, composition studies, performance, and writing skills.
• Interview with the dance faculty. The interview will be scheduled for 30 minutes during jury week. Students will be asked a variety of questions relating to dance and dance education. Students will be assessed on their ability to orally communicate, critically think and organize thoughts, share knowledge and understanding of dance education, and respond interpersonally.
• Please see Secondary Education Licensure .

Admission is on a provisional basis until students demonstrate mastery of Dance Education requirements, competencies, and skills. Upon completion of all requirements of both the Dance Education and Teacher Education Program requirements and verification of competencies and skills, students become candidates for teacher licensure.