Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 General Catalog 
    
2021-2022 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG–FOR INFORMATION ONLY]

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


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Program Summary

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 for Dance Education

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.
    • Students will complete 4 additional credits within levels VI and VI in the 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:

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.

General Education Requirement (30-35 Credits)


See General Education  for course options.

  • Core Course Requirements (12-15 Credits)
  • Knowledge Area Requirements (16-20 Credits)

Please note: All students must complete a minimum of 30 credits between the Core and Knowledge Area requirements.

Bachelor’s Degree Type: Arts or Science Requirement (12* or 16** Credits)


Select one degree type from either Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science:

Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree Requirement (12 Credits*)


  • Bachelor of Science Degree - Math or Science minimum requirement 12 Credits

* Note: A portion of the B.S. requirements may be met by fulfilling the General Education  Core and Knowledge Areas. Because of this, these credits are typically not counted in the degree total at the bottom of page. Some students majoring in non-science fields may need additional math/science courses to reach the minimum 12 credits. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details. 

or

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree Requirement (16 Credits**)


  • Bachelor of Arts Degree - Foreign Language Requirement 16 Credits

** Note: One semester of a foreign language may also fulfill the General Education  Humanities requirement. The 16 credits may be fulfilled by taking four semesters of a foreign language or by testing out of a language and purchasing the credits. These credits are typically counted in the degree total at the bottom of the page. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details. 

Dance Education Curriculum (55-61 Credits)


Required Theory Core (35 Credits)


Required Technique Core (20 Credits)


Select One of the Following (1 Credit)


Complete Two of the Following (4 Credits)


Select four credits from the following:

Required if Seeking K-6 Endorsement (4-6 Credits)


Professional Education Requirements for Secondary Licensure (36-39 Credits)*


To qualify for a teaching license, students must also complete the sequence of professional education courses listed by the Department of Teacher Education . Please see the degree requirements for Secondary Education Licensure . Some classes required for the licensure cannot be taken until the teacher candidate has been admitted to the College of Education and Human Development. Please consult your advisor or the Department of Teacher Education for further instruction.

* Students who complete their teaching methods course(s) and student teaching as part of their major requirements will earn fewer than 36 credits. Those course credits are counted only once in the degree total.

Non-Licensure Student Requirements (18+ Credits)


If not seeking licensure, complete at least 18 credits of enrichment courses and other elective courses OR complete a minor and other elective courses.

Free Electives (0-17 Credits)


Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. For a bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of 40 upper-division credits (courses numbered 3000-4999). Students may need to select additional upper-division courses not included in their major requirements in order to reach this minimum. Please consult your Student Success Advisor for details.

Total Credits, B.A./B.S. Degree: 120-142