Program Details
Dance and Choreography, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Fine ArtsVirginia Commonwealth University
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.
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.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | The BFA in Dance + Choreography is a degree that supports the holistic training of a dancer and dance maker on their pursuit of achieving success in the professional field of dance. It is a rigorous pre-professional training practice that sets the student up for multiple opportunities for performance, presentation, research and even study abroad. The curriculum is designed to help students build the tools and skills needed for success in the dance field. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes 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. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
First and second year courses in VCU Dance + Choreography are designed to lay the foundation for technique, dance history, pre-comp discoveries as well as university core requirements. It is important that equivalent courses be taken to address the foundational practices in both the technical and creative requirements for the degree. The curriculum is designed for a clear and direct path in order to move through the second-year student review.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Dance + Choreography majors move through the curriculum with opportunities to research avenues of creative expression and discovery which build towards the performative research capstone opportunity that culminates in the fourth year of study. The department encourages areas of research throughout the students' time with us to develop their individual voices. Often, many of our students are enrolled in a double major or minor that informs their work within the department. There are work study options, internships and even study abroad opportunities that are available to all of our students. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | VCU Dance + Choreography majors are found all across the globe in various avenues in the field of dance. Students find success in widely respected and highly recognized dance companies, as independent choreographers, start their own studios, are professors in colleges or universities, find themselves in administrative positions for festivals, companies, intensives as well as foundations and trust's. The creative opportunity supports significant research opportunities that build the skills needed for great success. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Uniform Certificate of General Studies is recommended for this major. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Uniform Certificate of General Studies is recommended for this major. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollins University | BA in Dance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Hollins University | BA/BFA in Dance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts and Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BA in Dance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BFA in Dance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Dance, BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Arts in Dance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Theatre: Dance (BFA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Theatre: Musical (BFA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 27-2032.00 | Choreographers | Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-2031.00 | Dancers | Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
Cost To Complete