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A Bachelor of Arts in Dance degree from Grand Canyon University can help equip you to position yourself for potential career opportunities in the arts industry. Dance majors who graduate from this program may enter professional industries of concert dance, commercial dance or musical theatre. Those who pursue a dance BA offered by the College of Arts and Media at GCU may 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 have the opportunity to engage in creative collaboration and varied movement practices to cultivate your artistic skills and processes. The bachelor’s degree in dance supports dance artists by teaching them how to communicate effectively through movement and reach broad audiences. Dance artists often work for themselves and can pursue a range of career opportunities. An audition is required for acceptance into the Bachelor of Arts in Dance degree program.
If you are choosing to major in dance, you likely have a passion for the art of dance and how it can convey the expressions of different cultures. A BA in Dance program is about strengthening your current experiences and knowledge and learning new dance forms. In the classroom, you will be taught the history of various dance techniques and how to bring it into a professional production. In the studio is where you can build upon your previous knowledge in dance in preparation for performances on and off campus.
Dancers who are admitted to GCU’s dance BA 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 can also participate in master classes and guest artist intensives. At GCU, you are taught how to grow as a dancer, choreographer and artist.
Your BA in Dance at GCU can help you gain experiences to pursue professional roles, such as performing and participating 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 can help dance majors cultivate the collaboration, innovation, critical thinking and cultural literacy for a career in dance.
Choosing this dance program at GCU can help prepare you with advanced coursework that is necessary to:
Witness the collaborative spirit and passion that fuels GCU dance students and their performances, offering a glimpse into the vibrant world of dance at GCU.
Graduates with a BA in Dance may have the training to position themselves to pursue many kinds of creative careers. After graduating with a dance BA, you may find work as a dancer or choreographer. Dancers with the skill and drive to continue training can benefit from a dancing degree and join other movement-based artists at GCU.
Achieve your educational dreams at a trusted and accredited university. GCU secures the excellence and acknowledgment your education deserves by earning accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation affirms GCU's adherence to rigorous criteria and standards, substantiating the university's commitment to delivering quality academic programs.
Seeking a bachelor’s degree is a substantial investment. Explore frequently asked questions about this dance degree program to aid your decision.
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. However, you should expect most requirements to say that you may 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.
To be accepted into the dance program at GCU you will need to pass the audition requirements. Dancer majors are expected to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of dance techniques during the audition and have had previous dance experience.
Yes. An audition is required for admission into GCU’s 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 highlighting your technical abilities. Virtual dance auditions are available to students who cannot attend a live audition. Visit the Audition Requirement section to learn more.
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 may 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 than classroom time with a BFA in Dance.
Dance majors are typically detail-oriented, goal-setting professionals who may 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 can also translate into strong communication and non-verbal skills, problem-solving skills and teamwork, which can open the door to various career opportunities.
To become a professional dancer, you need the muscle strength, flexibility and techniques to potentially turn dance into a career. To achieve this, professional dancers may choose to pursue a bachelor’s in dance to gain formal training.
Enroll today and embark on an extraordinary journey toward realizing your passion for dance with our BA in Dance program. Don't miss out on this opportunity to turn your passion into a profession. Apply now to begin shaping your future as a dancer.
Campus: $8,250 per semester [More Info]
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
