Program Overview

Introduction to the Dance Program

The University of Calgary offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance, providing students with a balance of artistic attainment, expression, and scholarly discipline in the fine arts. The program explores dance from multiple perspectives, including choreography, performance, technique, improvisation, dance for the camera, dance science, global dance, history, and theory.

Program Details

• The Dance program offers a four-year BA (Dance) degree and a four-year BFA (Dance) degree.
• A five-year combined BKIN/BA degree is also available, highlighting the relationships between the sciences, arts, and humanities.
• A five-year Concurrent Program with the Werklund School of Education combines a Bachelor of Education with a BA Dance, focusing on Dance Pedagogy.
• Students gain in-depth experience and a broad understanding of various cultural forms, from ballet to contact improvisation, hip hop to contemporary.

Degree Requirements

• The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree requires the completion of 120 credits, typically over four years of full-time study.

Courses

First-Year Courses

• Fall semester:
  • Dance 207
  • Dance 231
  • Dance 295A1
  • Open Option
  • Open Option
• Winter semester:
  • Dance 209
  • Dance 235
  • Dance 233
  • Dance 295B1
  • Open Option
• Option courses from Art, Art History, Drama, Film, or Music are recommended.

Faculty and Major

• The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is part of the Faculty of Arts.
• Students can complete a major in Visual Studies, Dance, or Drama.
• The Faculty of Arts offers additional degree programs, including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Science, with numerous majors and programs available.

Credit and Transfer

• Students with Advanced Placement credit or International Baccalaureate credit follow the same registration process as first-time university students.
• Transfer credit may be applicable to the degree program, depending on the program and course relevance.
• Students can view their transfer credit by logging in to their online Student Centre and consult with an academic advisor for course selection advice.

Enhancing the Program

• Study Abroad: Experience different cultures and gain a better understanding of world issues while earning credit towards the degree.
• Community Service-Learning: Combine classroom learning with volunteer work to achieve community goals and understand social issues.
• Co-Curricular Record: Document out-of-classroom experiences, such as volunteer work, leadership training, and club involvement, on an official university-sanctioned document.
• Aesthete Dance Undergraduate Organization: A student-led club for undergraduate dance students at the University of Calgary.