Undergraduate Degrees
The University of Utah School of Dance offers undergraduate students three different BFA major degrees, one certificate, and one Minor degree. With such a large array of dance techniques to choose from, there's a dance program for you at the University of Utah.
Undergraduate Degrees
First Year Experience
What you can expect as a first year BFA student in the School of Dance:
Cohort Model
School of Dance BFA students share required majors’ classes with their cohort, instilling a sense of community as each group progresses through the curriculum together.
Freshman Seminar Course
School of Dance BFA students enroll in a Freshman Seminar course during their first Fall semester. This course is designed to prepare students for life as a dance major. (See BALLE1401 & DANC1710.)
Performance Opportunities
Although not required, all first-year students are welcome to audition for a range of performance opportunities, including seven fully produced concerts and various student-led projects.
Engagement with Faculty
Each first-year student works with faculty on goal-setting exercises focusing on personal growth in dance techniques courses, including meeting with faculty for mid-term and end-of-semester consultations.
Student Organizations
The School of Dance sponsors several student organizations, and first-year students may choose to engage as they choose. There is also a Student Advisory Committee (SAC) with representatives from each cohort of students. Within the first few weeks of the Fall semester, the first-year cohorts elect representatives from the group to serve on the SAC.
Communication
The School of Dance has a Canvas page for communication purposes. Weekly announcements and a range of messaging relevant for dance majors is posted on this platform. Once incoming students commit to being a dance major at the U, they are added to this page and may message current and other incoming students. The School of Dance also hosts town hall meetings at the top of each semester for information sharing and offers an open student feedback mechanism on the website.
Proactive Academic Advising
All BFA students receive academic advising from the College of Fine Arts Academic Advisors. The CFA Academic Advisors partner with the School of Dance and join targeted class meetings to ensure students receive accurate, relevant, and timely advising. During the Freshman Seminar Course, first-year students meet with the CFA academic advisors to complete their first-term MAP advising requirement.
Come Dance with Us
Double Majoring
One of the many things that makes the University of Utah School of Dance unique is that alongside a Ballet BFA or Modern Dance BFA major, it is possible to do a second major. From Business and Kinesiology to Education and English, our students are capable of anything they set their minds to; all it takes is a little bit of extra planning and organization to achieve all of your academic dreams at the U!
In a survey taken in 2021, approximately 60% of students in the School of Dance have a second major, and an additional one third are in the Honors College. The best way to learn more about doing a second major is to reach out to the school or department you would like to be a part of to learn more about their course requirements, and if applicable, additional applications.
Not sure if you want to do a second major? Feel free to explore our many major offerings, or reach out to our academic advising!
*All information here was provided by Outstanding Senior Megan Lynch (Ballet BFA ‘23)