Program Overview

Dance, BFA

Overview

The BFA in Dance is a performance-oriented contemporary dance program designed to prepare students professionally as performers, choreographers, educators, and active leaders of the dance community. Students in this program demonstrate technical mastery and devote their college study to an intensive and comprehensive dance curriculum.

Admissions

Entrance to the program is by audition. Admission to the university is determined by the Admissions Office.

Policies

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 123

Mason Core

• Foundation Requirements
  • ENGH 101: Composition (Mason Core) 1 (3 credits)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (3 credits)
  • Information Technology (3 credits)
• Exploration Requirements
  • Global History (3 credits)
  • Global Contexts (3 credits)
  • Literature (3 credits)
  • Natural Science 2 (7 credits)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
• Integration Requirements
  • ENGH 302: Advanced Composition (Mason Core) 1 (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 31

Dance Major Core

• Additional technique and performance credits beyond those required in the major core may be applied to dance electives.
• Course List Code | Title | Credits
  • DANC 114: Rhythmic Analysis and Music Resources for Dance (3 credits)
  • DANC 150: Dance Improvisation (3 credits)
  • DANC 170: Orientation to Dance Production (1 credit)
  • DANC 190: First Year Seminar (0 credits)
  • DANC 210: Anatomy and Kinesiology for Dance (3 credits)
  • DANC 251: Dance Composition I (3 credits)
  • DANC 252: Dance Composition II (3 credits)
  • DANC 360: Choreography (3 credits)
  • DANC 362: RS: Directed Choreography (1 credit)
  • Select 2 credits from:
    • DANC 370: Dance Performance
    • DANC 371: Residency Workshop
    • DANC 372: Advanced Dance Production (1 credit)
  • DANC 390: Dance History I (Mason Core) 1 (3 credits)
  • DANC 391: Dance History II (Mason Core) 1 (3 credits)
  • DANC 410: Introduction to Contemporary Movement Theories (3 credits)
  • DANC 454: Methods of Teaching Dance (Mason Core) 2 (3 credits)
  • DANC 490: Senior Dance Seminar (Mason Core) 3 (3 credits)
  • Select 8 credits from the following:
    • DANC 325: Modern/Contemporary Dance III
  • Select 12 credits from the following:
    • DANC 305: Intermediate Modern/Contemporary Dance I
    • DANC 315: Intermediate Modern/Contemporary Dance II
    • DANC 425: Advanced Modern/Contemporary Dance I (Mason Core) 4
    • DANC 435: Advanced Modern/ Contemporary Dance II
  • Select 8 credits from the following:
    • DANC 345: Ballet III
  • Select 12 credits from the following:
    • DANC 304: Intermediate Ballet I
    • DANC 314: Intermediate Ballet II
    • DANC 424: Advanced Ballet I
    • DANC 434: Advanced Ballet II
• Dance Electives
  • Select 5 credits from the following:
    • DANC 118: Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core)
    • DANC 119: Dance in Popular Culture (Mason Core)
    • DANC 120: Special Topics in Dance I
    • DANC 131: Beginning Jazz Technique (Mason Core)
    • DANC 161: Beginning Tap Dance (Mason Core)
    • DANC 225: Modern/Contemporary Dance II (Mason Core)
    • DANC 231: Intermediate Jazz Technique (Mason Core)
    • DANC 245: Ballet II (Mason Core)
    • DANC 318: Global Dance Perspectives II (Mason Core)
    • DANC 324: Introduction to Dance Conditioning
    • DANC 325: Modern/Contemporary Dance III
    • DANC 331: Advanced Jazz Dance (Mason Core)
    • DANC 345: Ballet III
    • DANC 362: RS: Directed Choreography
    • DANC 399: Independent Study
    • DANC 410: Introduction to Contemporary Movement Theories
    • DANC 418: Global Dance Intensive (Mason Core)
    • DANC 420: Special Topics in Dance II
    • DANC 425: Advanced Modern/Contemporary Dance I (Mason Core)
    • DANC 434: Advanced Ballet II
    • DANC 435: Advanced Modern/ Contemporary Dance II
    • DANC 445: Ballet IV
    • DANC 453: Teaching Creative Movement
    • DANC 462: Independent Choreography
    • DANC 470: Advanced Dance Performance
    • DANC 471: Advanced Residency Workshop
    • Or other courses approved by the School of Dance Director or Advisor
• Total Credits: 83

Electives

• Additional general electives (except RECR courses) complete the liberal arts degree. BFA majors are encouraged to complete coursework in any of the following areas to enhance their artistry:
  • AMGT
  • ARTH
  • AVT
  • FAVS
  • MUSI
  • THR
• Total Credits: 9

Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan below is a recommended sequencing of courses based on pre-requisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.

• First Year
  • Fall Semester
    • DANC 150: Dance Improvisation (3 credits)
    • DANC 170: Orientation to Dance Production (1 credit)
    • DANC 190: First Year Seminar (0 credits)
    • DANC 304: Intermediate Ballet I (1 credit)
    • DANC 305: Intermediate Modern/Contemporary Dance I (1 credit)
    • DANC 325: Modern/Contemporary Dance III (1 credit)
    • DANC 345: Ballet III (1 credit)
    • DANC 370: Dance Performance (1 credit)
    • ENGH 101: Composition (Mason Core) 1 (3 credits)
    • MATH 106: Quantitative Reasoning (3 credits)
    • Total Credits: 15
  • Spring Semester
    • DANC 210: Anatomy and Kinesiology for Dance (3 credits)
    • DANC 251: Dance Composition I (3 credits)
    • DANC 304: Intermediate Ballet I (1 credit)
    • DANC 305: Intermediate Modern/Contemporary Dance I (1 credit)
    • DANC 325: Modern/Contemporary Dance III (1 credit)
    • DANC 345: Ballet III (1 credit)
    • Dance Elective (1 credit)
    • ENGH 101: Composition (Mason Core) 1 (3 credits)
    • Mason Core Literature (3 credits)
    • Total Credits: 15
• Second Year
  • Fall Semester
    • DANC 114: Rhythmic Analysis and Music Resources for Dance (3 credits)
    • DANC 252: Dance Composition II (3 credits)
    • DANC 314: Intermediate Ballet II (1 credit)
    • DANC 315: Intermediate Modern/Contemporary Dance II (1 credit)
    • DANC 325: Modern/Contemporary Dance III (1 credit)
    • DANC 345: Ballet III (1 credit)
    • ENGH 302: Advanced Composition (Mason Core) 1 (3 credits)
    • Mason Core Non-Lab Science (3 credits)
    • Total Credits: 16
  • Spring Semester
    • DANC 314: Intermediate Ballet II (1 credit)
    • DANC 315: Intermediate Modern/Contemporary Dance II (1 credit)
    • DANC 325: Modern/Contemporary Dance III (1 credit)
    • DANC 345: Ballet III (1 credit)
    • DANC 360: Choreography (3 credits)
    • DANC 372: Advanced Dance Production (1 credit)
    • DANC 410: Introduction to Contemporary Movement Theories (3 credits)
    • Mason Core Lab Science (4 credits)
    • Total Credits: 15
• Third Year
  • Fall Semester
    • DANC 325: Modern/Contemporary Dance III (1 credit)
    • DANC 345: Ballet III (1 credit)
    • DANC 362: RS: Directed Choreography (1 credit)
    • DANC 390: Dance History I (Mason Core) 1 (3 credits)
    • DANC 424: Advanced Ballet I (2 credits)
    • DANC 425: Advanced Modern/Contemporary Dance I (Mason Core) 4 (2 credits)
    • Mason Core Information Technology (3 credits)
    • Mason Core Global History (HIST 125 or HIST 394) (3 credits)
    • Total Credits: 16
  • Spring Semester
    • DANC 325: Modern/Contemporary Dance III (1 credit)
    • DANC 345: Ballet III (1 credit)
    • DANC 391: Dance History II (Mason Core) 1 (3 credits)
    • DANC 424: Advanced Ballet I (2 credits)
    • DANC 425: Advanced Modern/Contemporary Dance I (Mason Core) 4 (2 credits)
    • Dance Elective (1 credit)
    • General Elective (3 credits)
    • Mason Core Social Science (3 credits)
    • Total Credits: 16
• Fourth Year
  • Fall Semester
    • DANC 325: Modern/Contemporary Dance III (1 credit)
    • DANC 345: Ballet III (1 credit)
    • DANC 434: Advanced Ballet II (2 credits)
    • DANC 435: Advanced Modern/ Contemporary Dance II (1 credit)
    • DANC 454: Methods of Teaching Dance (Mason Core) 2 (3 credits)
    • Dance Elective (1 credit)
    • General Elective (3 credits)
    • Mason Core Global Context (3 credits)
    • Total Credits: 15
  • Spring Semester
    • DANC 325: Modern/Contemporary Dance III (1 credit)
    • DANC 345: Ballet III (1 credit)
    • DANC 434: Advanced Ballet II (2 credits)
    • DANC 435: Advanced Modern/ Contemporary Dance II (3 credits)
    • DANC 490: Senior Dance Seminar (Mason Core) 3 (3 credits)
    • Dance Elective (1 credit)
    • General Elective (3 credits)
    • Total Credits: 15
• Total Credits: 123