The BFA in Dance is a performance-oriented contemporary dance program designed to prepare students professionally as performers, choreographers, educators, and active leaders of the dance community. Students in this program demonstrate technical mastery and devote their college study to an intensive and comprehensive dance curriculum.
Daily technical training in modern dance and ballet, and numerous performance opportunities develops a versatile dancer. Student progress in the BFA program is assessed consistently. Because of the professional nature of the BFA degree, the program requires completion of 123 credits of coursework.
Admissions
Entrance to the program is by audition. Information about the audition process, including dates and audition application, can be found on the school web page, or by contacting the dance office at dance@gmu.edu or 703-993-1114. Admission to the university is determined by the Admissions Office.
Policies
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 123
Mason Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| ENGH 101 | Composition (Mason Core) 1 | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Global History | 3 | |
| Global Contexts | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science 2 | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Integration Requirements | ||
| ENGH 302 | Advanced Composition (Mason Core) 1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 31 | |
- 1
Nonnative speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGH 100 Composition for Multilingual Writers (Mason Core) for ENGH 101 Composition (Mason Core). Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGH 100 Composition for Multilingual Writers (Mason Core) or ENGH 101 Composition (Mason Core), as well as in ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core), to fulfill degree requirements.
- 2
Must include one laboratory science.
Dance Major Core
Additional technique and performance credits beyond those required in the major core may be applied to dance electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DANC 114 | Rhythmic Analysis and Music Resources for Dance | 3 |
| DANC 150 | Dance Improvisation | 3 |
| DANC 170 | Orientation to Dance Production | 1 |
| DANC 190 | First Year Seminar | 0 |
| DANC 210 | Anatomy and Kinesiology for Dance | 3 |
| DANC 251 | Dance Composition I | 3 |
| DANC 252 | Dance Composition II | 3 |
| DANC 270 | Dance Production Lab | 1 |
| DANC 360 | Choreography | 3 |
| DANC 362 | RS: Directed Choreography | 1 |
| Select 2 credits from: | ||
| Dance Performance | ||
| Residency Workshop | ||
| DANC 372 | Advanced Dance Production | 1 |
| DANC 390 | Dance History I (Mason Core) 1 | 3 |
| DANC 391 | Dance History II (Mason Core) 1 | 3 |
| DANC 410 | Introduction to Contemporary Movement Theories | 3 |
| DANC 454 | Methods of Teaching Dance (Mason Core) 2 | 3 |
| DANC 490 | Senior Dance Seminar (Mason Core) 3 | 3 |
| Select 8 credits from the following: | 8 | |
| Modern/Contemporary Dance III (Mason Core) | ||
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Intermediate Modern/Contemporary Dance I | ||
| Intermediate Modern/Contemporary Dance II | ||
| Advanced Modern/Contemporary Dance I (Mason Core) 4 | ||
| Advanced Modern/ Contemporary Dance II | ||
| Select 8 credits from the following: | 8 | |
| Ballet III | ||
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Intermediate Ballet I | ||
| Intermediate Ballet II | ||
| Advanced Ballet I | ||
| Advanced Ballet II | ||
| Dance Electives | ||
| Select 4 credits from the following: | 4 | |
| Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core) | ||
| Dance in Popular Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| Special Topics in Dance I | ||
| Beginning Jazz Technique (Mason Core) | ||
| Beginning Tap Dance (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern/Contemporary Dance II (Mason Core) | ||
| Intermediate Jazz Technique (Mason Core) | ||
| Ballet II (Mason Core) | ||
| Global Dance Perspectives II (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Dance Conditioning | ||
| Modern/Contemporary Dance III (Mason Core) | ||
| Advanced Jazz Dance (Mason Core) | ||
| Ballet III | ||
| RS: Directed Choreography | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Introduction to Contemporary Movement Theories | ||
| Global Dance Intensive (Mason Core) | ||
| Special Topics in Dance II | ||
| Advanced Modern/Contemporary Dance I (Mason Core) | ||
| Advanced Ballet II | ||
| Advanced Modern/ Contemporary Dance II | ||
| Ballet IV | ||
| Teaching Creative Movement | ||
| Independent Choreography | ||
| Advanced Dance Performance | ||
| Advanced Residency Workshop | ||
Or other courses approved by the School of Dance Director or Advisor | ||
| Total Credits | 81 | |
- 1
Meets Mason Core writing intensive course requirement.
- 2
Meets Mason Core oral communication requirement.
- 3
Meets Mason Core mason apex requirement.
- 4
Three credits will meet the Mason Core arts requirement.
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional general electives (except RECR courses) complete the liberal arts degree. BFA majors are encouraged to complete coursework in any of the following areas to enhance their artistry: | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Sample Plan of Study
The sample plan below is a recommended sequencing of courses based on pre-requisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| DANC 150 | 3 | DANC 210 | 3 |
| DANC 170 | 1 | DANC 251 | 3 |
| DANC 190 | 0 | DANC 270 | 1 |
| DANC 304 | 1 | DANC 304 | 1 |
| DANC 305 | 1 | DANC 305 | 1 |
| DANC 325 | 1 | DANC 325 | 1 |
| DANC 345 | 1 | DANC 345 | 1 |
| DANC 370 | 1 | DANC 370 | 1 |
| ENGH 101 | 3 | Literature | 3 |
| MATH 106 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| DANC 114 | 3 | DANC 314 | 1 |
| DANC 252 | 3 | DANC 315 | 1 |
| DANC 314 | 1 | DANC 325 | 1 |
| DANC 315 | 1 | DANC 345 | 1 |
| DANC 325 | 1 | DANC 360 | 3 |
| DANC 345 | 1 | DANC 372 | 1 |
| ENGH 302 | 3 | DANC 410 | 3 |
| Mason Core Non-Lab Science | 3 | Mason Core Lab Science | 4 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| DANC 325 | 1 | DANC 325 | 1 |
| DANC 345 | 1 | DANC 345 | 1 |
| DANC 362 | 1 | DANC 391 | 3 |
| DANC 390 | 3 | DANC 424 | 2 |
| DANC 424 | 2 | DANC 425 | 2 |
| DANC 425 | 2 | Dance Elective | 1 |
| Information Technology | 3 | Mason Core Social Science | 3 |
| Mason Core Global History (HIST 125 or HIST 394) | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| DANC 325 | 1 | DANC 325 | 1 |
| DANC 345 | 1 | DANC 345 | 1 |
| DANC 434 | 2 | DANC 434 | 2 |
| DANC 435 | 1 | DANC 435 | 3 |
| DANC 454 | 3 | DANC 490 | 3 |
| Dance Elective | 1 | Dance Elective | 1 |
| Mason Core Global Understanding | 3 | Dance Elective | 1 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 123 | |||
Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://cvpa.gmu.edu/academics/undergraduate-student-resources.