Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Dance
Pursue Your Passion as a Dance Major at GCU
A Bachelor of Arts in Dance degree from Grand Canyon University (GCU) prepares you for a future career in the arts. Dance majors who graduate from this program may enter the professional realm of concert dance, commercial dance, musical theatre, or studio dance teaching. Those who pursue a dancing degree at GCU will be prepared to attend graduate school in a diverse set of areas including dance therapy, choreography performance and business.
As a dance major at GCU, you will engage in creative collaboration and varied movement practices to cultivate your artistic skills and processes. The bachelor’s degree in dance program supports dance artists in learning how to communicate effectively through movement and reach broad audiences. Dance artists often work for themselves and must pursue a range of career opportunities. If you enjoy teaching and performing inside an institution, or creating your own performance opportunities, a degree in dance is an excellent choice.
To ensure your dancing degree at GCU prepares you with the experiences needed to pursue professional roles, you have the opportunity to perform and participate in concert productions such as the Winter and Spring Dance Concerts, the GCU Elementary Dance Tour, and Student Spotlight Dance Concerts. Through these programs, GCU faculty help dance majors cultivate the collaboration, innovation, critical thinking and cultural literacy needed for successful careers.
An audition is required for acceptance into the bachelor’s in dance degree program.
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Study Advanced Dance Techniques in the BA Dancing Degree Program
Dancers who are admitted to the Bachelor of Arts in Dance degree program are already skilled. The program is designed to enhance existing expertise in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and hip-hop.
Dancing technique courses are offered at five levels and, as a dance major, you will also participate in master classes and guest artist intensives. At GCU, you will grow as a dancer, choreographer and artist.
Choosing this major in dance at GCU prepares you with advanced coursework that is necessary to:
- Perform various dance forms with technical proficiency and self-expression
- Choreograph for professional dance concerts
- Plan and direct productions
- Teach dance and related subjects
- Collaborate with a community
- Integrate dance, technology, and media
- Pursue related studies (e.g. dance medicine, dance therapy)
- Build dance-based businesses
What to Expect from a Dance Degree Program
If you are choosing to major in dance, you have a passion for the art of dance and how it can convey the expressions of different cultures. A bachelor's in dance program is about strengthening your current experiences and knowledge and learning new forms of dance. In the classroom, you will learn the history of various dance techniques and how to bring it into a professional production. In the studio is where you will build upon your previous knowledge in dance in preparation for performances on and off campus.
Career Opportunities with a Degree in Dance
Graduates of the bachelor’s in dance degree have the training to pursue many kinds of creative careers. GCU’s bachelor’s in dance graduates may find work as:
- Dancer performers
- Choreographers
- Dance teachers (postsecondary)
- Art administrators
Dancers with the skill and drive to continue their training can benefit from a dancing degree and join other movement-based artists in the Bachelor of Arts in Dance degree program at GCU.
Bachelor's in Dance Degree FAQs
In this section, we answer some of your most frequently asked questions about dancing degrees at GCU.
If you choose to step into a formal teaching role in a school setting, most public and private schools will have different requirements for what is needed to be a dance teacher, but you should expect most dancing degree requirements to say that you need a bachelor’s degree in dance as well as a teaching license in the state you wish to teach in. This includes any dance experience you gain through traditional performances.
If an educational dancing degree interests you, GCU offers a Bachelor of Arts in Dance for Secondary Education that is specifically designed for dance education in a classroom setting for middle schools, high schools and community colleges.
In general, the difference between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) comes down to the amount of academic focus on the respective topic. In this case for dance majors, a BA will have more exploration into the academic side of dance, including the dance history, kinesiology, somatics and pedagogy. A BA in Dance will also allow dance majors to minor in another area of interest or possibly double major if you so choose.
A BFA in Dance on the other hand is focused more on dance performance to satisfy credit hours. While general education requirements may still be required, it should be expected to have more studio time rather than classroom time with a BFA in Dance.
To be accepted into the dance program and major in dance at GCU you will need to pass the audition requirements. Dancers are expected to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of dance techniques during the audition. Typical dance majors have had previous dance experience.
Yes. An audition is required for admission into the bachelor’s in dance program and the dance for secondary education program. In-person auditions will combine ballet, modern and jazz techniques into a one to two-minute solo that highlights your technical abilities. Virtual dance auditions are available to students who cannot attend a live audition.
Dance majors are typically detail oriented, goal-setting professionals who excel in many areas of art. While dance, choreography and teaching are obvious career paths for dance majors, the training received in a dancing degree translates into strong communication and non-verbal skills, problem-solving skills and teamwork, which opens the door to a variety of career opportunities, such as handling the press, running websites for dance organizations or manage the operations of a dance studio. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3,400 new jobs are estimated to open for dance and choreographer occupations from 2021 to 2031.1
To become a professional dancer, you will need the muscle strength, flexibility and techniques to turn dance into a career. To achieve this, many professional dancers typically pursue a bachelor’s in dance to gain formal training.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, the data shown is based on September 2021, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dancers and Choreographers, retrieved in December 2022.
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University’s General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-103, University Success: 4
- UNV-303, University Success: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4
- COM-263, Elements of Intercultural Communication: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments. Students are required to take 3 credits of college mathematics or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, cross-cultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- PSY-102, General Psychology: 4
- INT-244, World Religions: 4
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare the student for a dance concert production in a theatrical setting. Through the rehearsal process and culminating performances, students gain dance proficiency by working in a range of styles and choreographic approaches. Students audition choreography and may be cast as dancers, understudies, stage managers, and production assistants. Prerequisite: Audition.
Course Description
This course is a study of somatic practices in dance. Students explore and discuss issues related to one body practice. Topics include body awareness, alignment, injury prevention, and movement observation.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the techniques of the classical ballet, including alignment, positions, port de bras, and allegro combinations. It includes fundamental concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to ballet.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the style, technique, and rhythmic structures of jazz dance with emphasis on increasing movement capabilities and personal expression. It includes fundamental concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to jazz.
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare the student for the GCU Elementary Dance Tour, a multi-media production composed through collaboration by faculty and students. Topics include choreography, dramatic dialogue, elementary teaching methods, technical production, and artistic expression in a range of different dance styles. Participation is determined by audition.
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare the student for a dance concert production in a theatrical setting. Through the rehearsal process and culminating performances, students gain dance proficiency by working in a range of styles and choreographic approaches. Students audition choreography and may be cast as dancers, understudies, stage managers, and production assistants. Prerequisite: Audition.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the movement techniques of modern dance. It includes fundamental concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to modern dance.
Course Description
This technique course is designed to increase skill in classical ballet. It includes intermediate concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to ballet. Prerequisite: DAN-100.
Course Description
This course is a refinement of beginning skills, with an emphasis on development of technical abilities and performance qualities. It focuses on intermediate concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to jazz. Prerequisite: DAN-101.
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare the student for the GCU Elementary Dance Tour, a multi-media production composed through collaboration by faculty and students. Topics include choreography, dramatic dialogue, elementary teaching methods, technical production, and artistic expression in a range of different dance styles. Participation is determined by audition.
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare the student for a dance concert production in a theatrical setting. Through the rehearsal process and culminating performances, students gain dance proficiency by working in a range of styles and choreographic approaches. Students audition choreography and may be cast as dancers, understudies, stage managers, and production assistants.
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to the elements of technical theater specific to a dance production and to prepare students to organize a production in a variety of media. The course covers the fundamentals of lighting and costume design; sound/music/video recording and other multimedia devices; and basic elements of production management, such as contracts, labor issues, budgets, facility rentals, marketing and fundraising.
Course Description
This course focuses on creating and developing movement through dance improvisation in solos, duets, and groups. Contact improvisation and partnering, the uses of improvisation in choreography and performance, and the creative process are explored. Students are guided toward finding their own artistic voice through movement, discussion, and writing.
Course Description
This course is a refinement of beginning skills with an emphasis on development of technical abilities and performance qualities. It includes intermediate concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to modern dance. Prerequisite: DAN-120.
Course Description
This course is designed to increase skill in classical ballet technique. It includes advanced concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to ballet. Prerequisite: DAN-250.
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare the student for a dance concert production in a theatrical setting. Through the rehearsal process and culminating performances, students gain dance proficiency by working in a range of styles and choreographic approaches. Students audition choreography and may be cast as dancers, understudies, stage managers, and production assistants.
Course Description
This course is designed to increase skill in jazz technique. It includes advanced concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to jazz. Prerequisite: DAN-260.
Course Description
This course focuses on the elements of time, space, and energy as related to choreographic design. It is a study of these primary dance elements and their intrinsic role in developing diverse understandings of dance. The course considers design in the related fields of music and art as relevant to choreographic design and communication in dance. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Students needing field experience hours should take DAN-385N.
Course Description
This course focuses on the exercises and activities necessary to develop strength, flexibility, endurance, and technical dance skill. It includes advanced concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to modern dance. Prerequisite: DAN-270.
Course Description
This writing intensive course focuses on the anatomical and mechanical principles that relate to human movement; the analysis, management, and prevention of dance injuries; the analysis of body types and technical ability; and the means by which to improve dance ability. Aspects of teaching safe technique classes and alternative methods will also be explored.
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare the student for a dance concert production in a theatrical setting. Through the rehearsal process and culminating performances, students gain dance proficiency by working in a range of styles and choreographic approaches. Students audition choreography and may be cast as dancers, understudies, stage managers, and production assistants.
Course Description
This course is a study of and experience in various approaches to the choreographic process as related to artistic concepts and to the philosophy of art as espoused by various traditional and contemporary dance artists and as developed by the individual student. Prerequisite: DAN-385.
Course Description
Students study and utilize a variety of dance technologies, such as computer software, hardware, networking, multimedia, interactive media, and the internet in order to foster inquiry, collaboration, and interaction in the classroom to meet the needs of a diverse 21st century student population.
Course Description
This writing intensive course is a study of the histories and aesthetic systems of selected world dance traditions emphasizing interconnections between aesthetic practice, religious and social needs, and the impact of cultural convergence on dance.
Course Description
This advanced course is designed to increase technical proficiency and performance skill in classical ballet technique. It includes advanced concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to classical ballet. Prerequisite: DAN-350.
Course Description
This advanced course is designed to increase technical proficiency and performance skill in jazz technique. It includes advanced concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to jazz. Prerequisite: DAN-360.
Course Description
This writing intensive course is a comprehensive comparative study of Western theatrical dance forms. The focus is on significant trends and individuals who shaped the development of modern dance, ballet, jazz, and vernacular dance, from ancient Greece to the modern era.
Course Description
This course encompasses traditional and contemporary approaches of dance education and examines effective teaching practices in settings including elementary and secondary schools, private dance organizations, and community-based settings. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: DAN-355.
Course Description
This course is a supervised experience in choreographing a dance for public performance arranged through a cooperative effort of the student and supervisor. Prerequisite: DAN-390.
Course Description
This advanced course is designed to increase technical proficiency and performance skill in modern technique. It includes advanced concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to modern dance. Prerequisite: DAN-370.
Course Description
In this course, ballet technique will be studied to enhance mastery in technical and artistic expression. This course will examine pointe for women and conditioning for men, in preparation for partnering work. Partnering skills and classical ballet variations will be included for both men and women.
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare the student for a dance concert production in a theatrical setting. Through the rehearsal process and culminating performances, students gain dance proficiency by working in a range of styles and choreographic approaches. Students audition choreography and may be cast as dancers, understudies, stage managers, and production assistants.
Course Description
This course addresses alignment for dancers, using Pilates mat exercises. The course addresses how breath , strength, and coordination may facilitate greater ease and efficiency in movement.
Course Description
This course is designed for the pre-professional dancer. Students will further their studies in each dance form to enhance mastery in technical and artistic expression. Jazz studies in this course will include mock auditions and informal performance opportunities to reflect professional contexts such as commercial dance and musical theatre. Ballet studies will include pointe for women and conditioning for men, in preparation for partnering work. Partnering skills and classical ballet variations will be included for both men and women. Prerequisites: DAN-353 and DAN-363.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the style, technique, and rhythmic structures of tap dance with emphasis on increasing movement capabilities and personal expression. It includes fundamental concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to tap. Students will explore tap dance through historical, social, and improvisational contexts. This course is available for non-majors.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the style, technique, and rhythmic structures of urban dance. Students will explore street dance styles with emphasis on increasing movement capabilities and personal expression. Development of proficiency includes fundamental concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to Urban dance. Students will explore urban dance through historical, social, aesthetic, and improvisational contexts as well as most current forms found in popular urban culture. This course is available for non-majors.
Course Description
This course provides an opportunity for students to define their career goals and to network in preparation for a career and/or further dance studies. Students will explore current issues and career trends in dance. Topics will include professional portfolio creation, statement of artistic philosophy, academic research skills and business applications.
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare the student for a dance concert production in a theatrical setting. Through the rehearsal process and culminating performances, students gain dance proficiency by working in a range of styles and choreographic approaches. Students audition choreography and may be cast as dancers, understudies, stage managers, and production assistants.
Course Description
In this course, students conduct artistic research through the practices of improvisation, choreographic choice making, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students will engage in various creative projects with dance faculty, scholars, performers, and researchers across the College of Fine Arts and Production.
Course Description
This course will examine dance within both Christian and non-Christian contexts. Students will apply this knowledge to design dances, text and other materials for ministry, worship services, workshops, and outreach.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of Dance Research Seminar I, which provides an opportunity for students to define their career goals and to network in preparation for a career and/or further dance studies. Students will explore current issues and career trends in dance. Topics will include professional portfolio creation, statement of artistic philosophy, academic research skills and business applications.
Course Description
This course is designed for the pre-professional dancer. Modern dance technique will be studied with faculty and guest artists to enhance mastery in technical and artistic expression. Students choose either DAN-465A or DAN-465B. Prerequisite: DAN-373.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of the style, technique, and rhythmic structures of tap dance. Students will explore various tap styles with emphasis on increasing movement capabilities and personal expression. Development of proficiency includes fundamental concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to tap dance. Students will explore tap dance through historical, social, aesthetic and improvisational contexts. Prerequisite: DAN-312.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of the style, technique, and rhythmic structures of urban and hip hop dance. Students will explore various urban styles with emphasis on increasing movement capabilities and personal expression. Development of proficiency includes fundamental concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to urban dance. Students will explore urban dance through historical, social, aesthetic and improvisational contexts. Prerequisite: DAN-313.
Join Grand Canyon University’s vibrant and growing campus community, with daytime classes designed for traditional students. Immerse yourself in a full undergraduate experience, complete with curriculum designed within the context of our Christian worldview.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.