Dance

Dance Program at Slippery Rock University offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop students' technical skills, artistic expression, and critical understanding of dance as a performing art. The program provides students with a solid foundation in various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop, ensuring a well-rounded training experience. Students explore both the theoretical aspects of dance history and choreography, as well as practical, hands-on training through rigorous coursework and performance opportunities. The curriculum emphasizes the development of creativity, improvisation, and composition skills, encouraging students to innovate and express their unique artistic voices.

Through coursework, students gain knowledge of human anatomy, movement analysis, and dance pedagogy, which prepares them for diverse careers in dance performance, teaching, and choreography. The program also offers opportunities for students to participate in departmental productions, student-led performances, and community engagement projects, allowing them to showcase their talents and build professional networks. Faculty members are experienced professionals committed to mentoring students and fostering a collaborative learning environment.

The program aims to prepare graduates for successful careers in dance performance, education, arts management, and further graduate study. With state-of-the-art facilities, including dance studios and performance spaces, students have access to a supportive environment conducive to artistic growth. The Dance Program at Slippery Rock University emphasizes both individual artistry and collaborative skills, nurturing well-rounded dance artists ready to contribute to the diverse world of dance.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline Rolling basis Tuition fee Not specified Start date August 2015 Duration full-time 48 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time

Course Content

Requirements for the Major

Core Courses - Credits: 38

• DANC 100 - Introduction to Dance Credits: 3
• DANC 101 - Wellness for Dancers Credits: 3
• DANC 199 - LMA/Performance Techniques Credits: 2
• DANC 200 - Dance Composition I Credits: 3
• DANC 216 - Principles of Dance Production Credits: 3
• DANC 223 - Creative Dance for Children Credits: 2
• DANC 224 - Improvisation Credits: 2
• DANC 323 - Teaching of Dance Credits: 3
• DANC 324 - Music for Dance Credits: 3
• DANC 326 - Dance Kinesiology Credits: 3
• DANC 350 - Field Experience in Dance Technique Credits: 1
• DANC 419 - Dance History II: Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries Credits: 3
• DANC 420 - Modern Dance Technique: Level IV Credits: 2
• DANC 425 - Senior Synthesis Credits: 3
• DANC 498 - Selected Topics Credits: 1-3

Additional Core Requirements - Credits: 3-4

Students must select from Group 1, Group 2, or Group 3

Group 1: Dance Theory and Practice (Technique)

Select two of the following courses totaling 4 credits bringing your total major credits to 42 for a BA in Dance.

• DANC 321 - Ballet III Credits: 2
• DANC 322 - Jazz III Credits: 2
• DANC 424 - Contemporary Partnering Credits: 2

Group 2: Composition and Technology

Select one of the following courses totaling 3 credits bringing your total major credits to 41 for a BA in Dance.

• DANC 271 - Dance Technology Credits: 3
• DANC 300 - Dance Composition II Credits: 3

Group 3: Social and Historical Perspectives

Select one of the following courses totaling 3 credits bringing your total major credits to 41 for a BA in Dance.

• DANC 305 - Society and Social Dance Credits: 3
• DANC 318 - Dance History I: Through the Nineteenth Century Credits: 3

Electives

• DANC 299 - Dance Rehearsal & Production Credits: 1
• DANC 499 - Dance Rehearsal & Production Credits: 1

Dance Theory - Practice: Competency Based Requirements

Competency-based assessment constitutes the specification of knowledge, physical ability (technique) and proficiency. The application and synthesis of practice and theory competencies are required for employment in the dance field. The assessments developed by the dance faculty are flexible which allows the department to meet the changing demands of the dance field. In addition to successful completion of all Dance Core Courses, (including proficiency to Modern Dance IV), candidates for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from Slippery Rock university are required to demonstrate technical proficiency as indicated below:

• Modern Dance (Level IV Proficiency)
• Ballet (Level III Proficiency)
• Jazz (Level III Proficiency)

Demonstrated achievement of Level III technical proficiency in Ballet and Jazz will be determined by performance-based assessment of candidates for the BA Degree in Dance from Slippery Rock University by members of the dance faculty.

Requirements

Slippery Rock University has a strong commitment to student success, and we thoroughly research the academic background of the students who tend to succeed at SRU. We use this information to establish admission guidelines for first year students (new freshmen).

We are seeking students who have attained at least a 3.0 GPA at the time of admission, have demonstrated proficiency in college preparatory coursework, and who have average to above average scores on the SAT or ACT. We will accept either test and use the best scores available. Offers of admission for new freshmen from high school may be made as soon as August following their junior year in high school. High school admitted students are required to submit proof of high school graduation in the form of Official Transcripts upon high school graduation.

In order to apply for admission, the following credentials are required:

• Official High School Transcripts, including a 12th Grade class schedule if applicable
• SAT or ACT Scores
• $30.00 application fee

WAIT LIST: Applicants who do not meet the admission guidelines are still encouraged to apply for admission if they are close to our admission guidelines. Such applicants may be placed on a wait list for admission consideration. Students who are placed on a wait list need to understand it is not the same as being denied admission. Wait list status simply means that an applicant's credentials may require a closer review beyond just the quantitative numbers. Offers of admission will be made to wait listed applicants on regular intervals.

Wait listed applicants should strive to improve their grades and/or test scores and re-submit them to the Office of Admissions as soon as is practical after the next marking period or re-test. Periodic review of the wait list will likely begin in November and offers of admission made on a rolling basis. Our goal is to have most of the wait list offers of admission made in March or April. A final round of wait list offers may be made in mid-May on a space available basis. We encourage students to submit additional information if it improves the academic record.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Alumni Study Travel Fund

  Scholarships for students who are already attending the University of Reading.

• Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

  The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Slippery Rock University.

Funding

Contact the Office of Financial Aid for detailed information on various financial aid programs and scholarship materials. You can submit your questions regarding financial assistance directly to the Financial Aid Office at financial.aid@sru.edu. Students are encouraged to apply for admission early.

The Dance program at Slippery Rock University offers students a comprehensive education in the art and discipline of dance. Designed to cultivate technical proficiency, artistic expression, and a deep understanding of dance history and theory, the program prepares students for diverse careers in dance performance, choreography, education, and related fields. The curriculum includes courses in ballet, modern dance, jazz, improvisation, composition, and dance production. Students have access to state-of-the-art dance studios, performance spaces, and rehearsal facilities that support their creative development. The program emphasizes experiential learning through master classes, workshops with professional dancers, and opportunities to participate in university-sponsored dance productions and local performances. Additionally, students are encouraged to engage in internships and community outreach projects to broaden their professional experience. Faculty members are experienced dancers and choreographers committed to mentoring students and fostering their artistic growth. The program also offers opportunities for students to attend dance festivals and competitions, facilitating exposure to the broader dance community. Upon graduation, students are equipped with a versatile skill set suitable for careers in dance performance, teaching, choreography, arts administration, and further graduate study. The university supports students in building portfolios and networking within the dance industry through various university resources and partnerships. Overall, the Dance program at Slippery Rock University aims to nurture passionate and skilled dancers who can contribute creatively to the arts community locally, nationally, and internationally.