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Teach the next generation the art of dance with your Bachelor of Arts in Dance for Secondary Education.1 Offered by the College of Arts and Media in conjunction with the College of Education, this program can prepare you to design, maintain and grow a dance program in middle and high schools. It includes extensive coursework in different dance forms, as well as educational training, such as classroom management.
From dance history to choreography, you will be immersed in all aspects of dance. You will have the opportunity to study competencies in teaching various forms of dance effectively and designing a curriculum that is historically grounded, developmentally appropriate, inquiry-oriented, culturally responsive and based upon state and national standards.
It requires student teaching experience in preparation for a career in dance education. In addition to classroom studies, you will be required to participate in the Ethington Dance Ensemble, which includes four main concerts throughout the year. This allows you to experience the entire creative process, from planning and rehearsals to the live performance, from both onstage and offstage perspectives. This bachelor’s degree in dance education also requires you to participate in the Elementary Dance Tour, which brings exciting multi-media productions to local schools.
Our bachelor’s in dance for secondary education curriculum combines observational and practice-based dance experiences. It can prepare you to position yourself to be both a dance practitioner and a dance educator.
Courses covered in this dance education degree examine a range of topics, including:
Our holistic approach to teaching dance balances theory with practice, with the aim of producing graduates who are prepared to work toward their future career. After completing the full-time practicum/field experience of this program, you may be prepared to teach in a range of middle or high school settings – public or private, rural or urban, large or small. Students may also work toward seeking educational dance opportunities available in community organizations and performing arts institutions.
The BA in dance education degree can prepare you to pursue endorsements in additional subject areas. Make the most of your passion for dance and shape your future as a dance education major.
When contemplating a bachelor's degree in dance education, your choice of university should prioritize proper institutional accreditation. GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, underscoring the university's dedication to providing quality education. GCU takes pride in its mission to empower students through dedicated instruction and guidance.
This dance education degree will teach you to connect with your future students and tackle challenges in the classroom. It was designed using National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) standards and all courses within this degree program are directly aligned with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) principles.
Students use their passion for dance to create a collaboration between the worship arts department and the dance department. This student-led night of worship, music and dance ignites a magical evening of their artistic abilities.
Before you decide whether to pursue a dance education degree, it can be helpful to learn more about the profession and your potential career path. The following frequently asked questions and answers can provide a starting point for your career-related research.
An aspiring dance teacher needs a diverse skillset comprised of both teaching skills and dance skills. The dance skills you need may include:2
As an educator, you’ll also need to be an excellent communicator who is able to explain concepts to students in language they can easily understand and put into practice. Dance educators should be resourceful, as they must adapt lessons to meet the needs of each class and student. It’s also helpful to possess patience and the ability to remain calm under challenging circumstances.1
It’s possible to become a dance educator without a degree if you wish to work in a community center or a performing arts company, or if you would like to open your own dance studio. You might also be able to secure employment as a private school dance teacher without a degree. However, if you would like to teach at a public school, you’ll need a degree and a teacher’s license.1 It should be noted that private schools, community organizations and performing arts companies establish their own hiring criteria, and some of them may require or prefer a dance education degree even if they do not require licensure.
Pursue your passion for dance and work toward your dream of becoming a middle or high school dance educator by pursuing a dance education major at GCU.
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Aug. 10). How to Become a High School Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 14, 2023.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, Sept. 8). How to Become a Dancer or Choreographer. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 14, 2023.
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).
