The Dance Program

The School of Dance, Theatre, & Arts Administration
Photo of dancers rehersing at the Ballet Center

Degree Programs

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
  • Minor in Dance
  • Multiage License to Teach Dance in Ohio Public Schools, Pre-K through 12

Read the degree requirements.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

The Dance program offers two B.A. degrees, a B.A. in Dance and a B.A. in Dance with a business component. These dance degrees are designed for students who wish to pursue dance training through an emphasis in the four major dance idioms of ballet, modern, jazz and tap. The programs offer adjunctive course work in choreography, history, physical analysis, and pedagogy. A placement audition is required for all incoming dance students.

The first steps to becoming a dance major are to be admitted to The University of Akron and to declare dance as your intended major. All prospective dance majors enter the program provisionally and are reviewed by the full-time dance faculty through the Freshman Jury and Interview process conducted at the end of the freshman year. Typically, students register for the Freshman Jury and Interview (7910:201) during their second semester of study. Students successfully passing the Freshman Jury and Interview are admitted into The College of Fine and Applied Arts as BA Dance majors. All dance majors are required to study dance technique every semester they are enrolled until they satisfy their technique requirements.

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The B.F.A. dance major is designed for the student who wishes to pursue professional training in dance through an emphasis on ballet technique. The Dance program offers training in technical, performing and choreographic skills, as well as an in-depth knowledge of dance history.  Placement into the program is by audition only.

To be admitted to the BFA degree program in Dance in the School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration, students must successfully pass the Sophomore Jury (7910:200) for their intended program of study. Typically, students should register for the Sophomore Jury after completing two years of study. Students must complete one full year of Ballet VIII and must be enrolled in ballet technique class each semester until they satisfy their technique requirements.

Dance Minor

The University of Akron has approved minor fields of study that may be placed on a student’s record when all requirements have been completed.

Multi-age License to Teach Dance in Ohio Public Schools, Pre-K through 12

This program licenses dance educators to teach dance in Ohio public schools, grades pre-K through 12. The program is offered in conjunction with the College of Education at The University of Akron.

Read the License requirements.