Dance

Why major in Dance at KU?

World class faculty
You will train daily with nationally and internationally recognized faculty. Students receive one-on-one attention, from individual advising sessions to the mentorship process for a practicum in teaching and the creation of a senior project.

Performance opportunities
As an undergraduate-only program, KU offers experience in dancing principal roles from the moment you walk in the door. Students audition and are cast by choreographers each semester for performance in the University Dance Company concerts. Students also have the opportunity to create and perform their own work in the New Dance concerts at the end of each semester.

Integrated training
We produce well-rounded dancers who can perform in any genre. Students receive core instruction in ballet, modern dance and jazz, but they are also required and encouraged to take courses in classical Indian dance, flamenco, musical theatre and African dance. 

Connections to professional companies
Through our unique Choreography Fellowship program, students have the opportunity to audition for and perform with professional choreographers in the field. These guest artists spend two weeks in intensive training and rehearsal with our students as they set work on our University Dance Company. These connections lead to professional dance opportunities upon graduation. Also, companies featured at the Lied Center of Kansas frequently offer master classes for our students while they are on tour.

Career guidance

The department of Dance is committed to providing every student with the tools necessary to create their own path towards a career in dance. For those interested in performing within a professional company, we encourage participation in professional training intensives and offer travel grants to support these essential experiences. For those who wish to open a studio and build a career in teaching dance, the department will assist in obtaining internships at teaching facilities. Many dancers pursue advanced degrees in Dance Therapy, Physical Therapy, Medicine, or Law. These dancers also receive individualized advising to ensure appropriate prerequisite courses are taken and key internship positions are obtained prior to graduation.

The curriculum leading to the B.A. in dance offers integrated training in ballet, modern, and jazz dance techniques, as well as courses in classical Indian dance, African dance and flamenco dance techniques, musical theatre dance, dance improvisation and composition, video for dance, history and philosophy of dance, music for dance, creative dance for children, dance production, career preparation in the arts and independent study options. The program prepares students for professional careers in dance or for further academic study. The senior project may involve research in any of the above areas or choreography and performance culminating in a senior recital. Students are expected to take technique classes appropriate to their level of training each semester they are enrolled. A total of 120 credit hours is required.

The B.A. in Dance at the University of Kansas does not require an audition. Instead, all students must pass a technical and academic evaluation at the end of their sophomore year. However, to be considered for a scholarship, a prospective or transfer student must audition. The B.A. in dance offers comprehensive technical training, built on a solid liberal arts foundation, which allows students to double-major or to pursue graduate study in any number of fields.

Freshmen must:
 
1. Provide evidence of high school graduation with a curriculum that would prepare you for university studies in your home country

Credentials and Requirements by Country for Freshman Addition to the College of LIberal Arts and Sciences

2. Have a GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale;

3. Submit English proficiency test scores (used to estimate students' placement in appropriate level of ESL course, as needed. All international students are screened after arrival on campus and prior to enrollment by the KU Applied English Center).

The University of Kansas will accept both the new SAT and the old SAT. We will use concordance tables to compare your scores and determine your highest scores on either the new SAT or the old SAT. At this time, any SAT scores listed are based on the new SAT (after March 2016).  

In addition to transcripts or marksheets, you must present an official diploma or graduation certificate, official examination results, or other proof of graduation particular to your country.  We use equivalent admission criteria for applicants from all countries.  Meeting the minimum grade point average does not guarantee admission.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

KU offers a few partial scholarships for qualified, new international freshmen and transfer students admitted for fall semester. To be considered for a scholarship, you must complete an online fall semester application by Jan. 15.

The Office of International Recruitment and Undergraduate Admissions (IRUA) screens candidates for a limited number of admissions scholarships. Awards are only offered to degree-seeking undergraduates whose first KU semester is the fall semester. KU does not offer international student scholarships based on financial need. International undergraduate scholarships do not cover all expenses. Prior to issuance of the SEVIS document, students requesting F-1 or J-1 status must submit proof of financial support for the first year of study.