The School of Dance is Updating Degree Titles!

The School of Dance is pleased to announce updated degree titles beginning Fall 2026. The new degree titles are part of a faculty driven project aiming to update curricular titles across the School of Dance. The goal is to more accurately reflect current practices within the School and better utilize terminologies common in the ever-evolving professional realm of dance. 

The discipline of dance has evolved, and dance or contemporary dance now more accurately describes the fusion of techniques and ongoing innovation in the dance world and in our programs at the U. Additionally, the terms danceand contemporary dance may be viewed as more inclusive umbrella terms that include traditional modern dance techniques as well as a broad range of other dance styles. 

These updated degree titles allow the School of Dance to continue evolving with the professional and academic disciplines of dance, better represent the varied technical approaches offered in the curriculum, continue to honor the legacy of dance at the U, and enhance our programs’ relevance to a range of dance communities.

• BFA in Modern Dance will become BFA in Contemporary Dance, expanding the scope  of dance genres.

• BFA in Modern Dance Teaching  will become BFA in Dance Teaching, expanding approaches to dance teaching. 

• Minor in Modern Dance will become Minor in Dance, expanding the scope of dance genres on offer. 

• MFA in Modern Dance will become MFA in Dance & Choreography, better representing the varied technical approaches offered in the curriculum and highlighting the curricular focus on choreography, which is a distinctive curricular feature and recruitment point.

What does this mean for current students’ registration?

Curriculum and degree requirements are not changing. Students may continue following their regular degree plan.

When will the new degree titles begin showing on transcripts?

Regardless of graduation date, students’ transcripts will reflect their catalog year. For example, if a student’s freshman year was 2024-25, they are typically categorized in the 2024-25 catalog year. If students are unsure about their catalog year, they can connect with an academic advisor for information: https://www.finearts.utah.edu/create-success.

Questions?

Please email the Director of the School of Dance, Melonie B. Murray (melonie.murray@utah.edu).