Program Overview

Commercial Dance Major, BFA

The Commercial Dance Major, BFA, is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with a strong foundation in dance technique, performance, and choreography.

Major Completion Summary

To complete the Commercial Dance Major, BFA, students must fulfill the following requirements:

• University Core Requirements: 44 minimum credits
• Major Requirements: 79 credits
• Open Electives: 2-13 credits
• Total Credits: 128

University Core Requirements

The University Core Requirements consist of 44 minimum credits. For a complete list of requirements, please refer to the University Core curriculum.

Major Requirements

The Major Requirements consist of 79 credits, including:

• Required Technique Courses:
  • PACD 100: Ballet I (3 credits)
  • PACD 105: Ballet II (3 credits)
  • PACD 200: Ballet III (3 credits)
  • PACD 205: Ballet IV (3 credits)
  • PACD 300: Ballet V (3 credits)
  • PACD 400: Ballet VI (3 credits)
  • PACD 102: Jazz I (3 credits)
  • PACD 107: Jazz II (3 credits)
  • PACD 202: Jazz III (3 credits)
  • PACD 207: Jazz IV (3 credits)
  • PACD 309: Jazz V (3 credits)
  • PACD 145: Vocal Music for Dancers I (3 credits)
  • PAGE 170: American Musical Theater (3 credits)
  • PAGE 187: Foundations of the Artist (3 credits)
  • PAGE 281: Acting 1 for the Non-Performing Arts Major (3 credits)
  • PACD 302: Contemporary I (3 credits)
  • PACD 407: Modern Dance (3 credits)
  • PACD 109: Theater Dance 1 (2 credits)
  • PACD 209: Theater Dance 2 (2 credits)
  • PACD 116: Tap Dance 1 (2 credits)
  • PACD 108: Hip Hop 1 (2 credits)
  • PACD 208: Hip Hop 2 (2 credits)
  • PACD 325: Improvisation (1 credit)
  • PACD 425: Partnering (1 credit)
  • PACD 225: Anatomy for Dancers (3 credits)
  • PACD 227: Choreography I (2 credits)
  • PACD 306: Body Awareness and Wellness for Today's Dancer (3 credits)
  • PACD 375: Ballet Pedagogy (2 credits)
  • PACD 379: Jazz Dance Pedagogy (2 credits)
  • PACD 435: Dance History (3 credits)
  • PACD 475: Dance Seminar (1 credit)
  • PACD 499: Senior Project (2 credits)
• Required Dance Concentration:
  • Select one of the following concentrations: 6 credits
    • Choreography Concentration
    • Performance Concentration

Choreography Concentration

The Choreography Concentration consists of:

• PACD 420: Advanced Choreography (3 credits)
• PACD 421: Choreography for the Camera (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 6

Performance Concentration

The Performance Concentration consists of:

• PACD 103: Aerial Arts I (1 credit)
• PACD 408: Dance for the Camera (3 credits)
• PACD 230: Mastering Performance Technique (2 credits)
• Total Credits: 6

Open Electives

Open Electives consist of 2-13 credits. Students must select 2-13 credits from available courses.

Plan of Study Grid

The Plan of Study Grid outlines the recommended course sequence for each year of the program:

• First Year:
  • Fall: 18 credits
    • PACD 100: Ballet I (3 credits)
    • PACD 102: Jazz I (3 credits)
    • PACD 116: Tap Dance 1 (2 credits)
    • PAGE 281: Acting 1 for the Non-Performing Arts Major (3 credits)
    • PAGE 187: Foundations of the Artist (3 credits)
    • ENG 110: Composition (3 credits)
    • UNV 101: First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community (1 credit)
    • PAGE 100: Fall Production Crew (0 credits)
  • Spring: 17 credits
    • PACD 105: Ballet II (3 credits)
    • PACD 107: Jazz II (3 credits)
    • PACD 145: Vocal Music for Dancers I (3 credits)
    • PACD 425: Partnering (1 credit)
    • ENG 120: Critical Writing (4 credits)
    • MAT 102: Mathematics for Life (3 credits)
    • PAGE 101: Spring Production Crew (0 credits)
• Second Year:
  • Fall: 18 credits
    • PACD 200: Ballet III (3 credits)
    • PACD 202: Jazz III (3 credits)
    • PAGE 170: American Musical Theater (3 credits)
    • ENG 201: Writing in the Disciplines (3 credits)
    • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge (Learning Community (LC) with second Area of Knowledge course) (3 credits)
    • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course (3 credits)
  • Spring: 14-17 credits
    • PACD 205: Ballet IV (3 credits)
    • PACD 207: Jazz IV (3 credits)
    • PACD 225: Anatomy for Dancers (3 credits)
    • PACD 375: Ballet Pedagogy (2 credits)
    • CIS 101: Introduction to Computing (0-3 credits)
    • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course (3 credits)
• Third Year:
  • Fall: 15 credits
    • PACD 300: Ballet V (3 credits)
    • PACD 109: Theater Dance 1 (2 credits)
    • PACD 227: Choreography I (2 credits)
    • PACD 379: Jazz Dance Pedagogy (2 credits)
    • PACD 435: Dance History (3 credits)
    • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course (3 credits)
  • Spring: 17 credits
    • PACD 400: Ballet VI (3 credits)
    • PACD 309: Jazz V (3 credits)
    • PACD 408 or PACD 421: Dance for the Camera or Choreography for the Camera (3 credits)
    • PACD 325: Improvisation (1 credit)
    • PACD 344: L.A. Industry Seminar (1 credit)
    • One Lab science course (Online) (3 credits)
    • Take one additional required courses if needed (3 credits)
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall: 17 credits
    • PACD 108: Hip Hop 1 (2 credits)
    • PACD 302: Contemporary I (3 credits)
    • PACD 420 or PACD 103 or PACD 230: Advanced Choreography or Aerial Arts I or Mastering Performance Technique (3 credits)
    • First Second Language Course (see Advisor for guidelines) (3 credits)
    • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course (3 credits)
    • Take one additional required courses if needed (3 credits)
  • Spring: 14 credits
    • PACD 407: Modern Dance (3 credits)
    • PACD 475: Dance Seminar (1 credit)
    • PACD 499: Senior Project (2 credits)
    • PACD 209: Theater Dance 2 (2 credits)
    • COM 200: Public Speaking (3 credits)
    • Second Language Course, if applicable (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 130-133