BA Dance Studies

student performanceAbout the BA in Dance Studies

The Department of Theatre and Dance offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Studies. The degree offers an integrative and cross-disciplinary approach to dance training designed to develop creative problem solvers and skilled, disciplined dancers, choreographers, writers, and theorists who can thrive in a variety of vocations. As a program, we encourage committed, creative, and traditional scholarship from multiple perspectives and foster students who can make meaningful connections between the arts and the world around them.

Our Dance Studies major does not require an audition and is open to all students, from beginning to experienced dancers. As such, we honor the entry points of our dancers, meeting them “where they are” as they become engaged in technique classes. Placement classes for incoming first-year students are required to determine the appropriate technique class level in modern dance and ballet. Each fall and spring, open auditions are held for student choreographers and performers for our Appalachian Dance Ensemble concerts. While dance studies majors and minors are given first priority in casting, our performing ensembles are open to all interested students by audition, and students from many degree programs are engaged in our productions each semester.

The B.A. in Dance Studies requires 45 credit hours in the major as specified in the Degree Program of Study.  Details of the Program of Study and course descriptions can be found online in ASU's Undergraduate Bulletin.  (After choosing the Bulletin year, look for the Programs of Study link in the page's left column.) In addition, General Education Core courses are required of all App State Students.

Advising Notes

Dance Majors and minors should not take DAN 2010. It is intended for non-majors. Dance Studies majors and minors should take courses that fulfill major/minor requirements and General Education Integrative Studies requirements such as DAN 3430 and 3435.

Finish in Four

Click here to view the recommended four-year Schedule Guide for the Dance Studies major.

Program Contacts

  • Students considering a Dance Studies major should contact faculty members, Laurie AtkinsEmily Daughtridge, or Kevin Warner to schedule an advising appointment.
  • Students considering a Dance Studies minor should contact dance faculty members Sherone Price or Chris Yon.  
  • Students considering a Somatic Sustainability minor should contact dance faculty member Laurie Atkins.
  • Transfer students should contact the department Assistant Chair, Laurie Atkins, for a preliminary degree audit. 
  • Students interested in pursuing academic Dance Honors should contact Kevin Warner

Additional Resouces