Dance, BS

The dance department offers a wide range of courses for majors and nonmajors to study the art and science of human movement. An undergraduate major in dance is an excellent means of gaining in-depth knowledge of the art form and its related fields. Dance degree graduates become well-prepared dance artists/educators who go on to pursue dance professionally, or have careers in related occupations such as administration, health care, or business. Recent graduates have taught in K–12 and higher education, started their own companies, have operated their own studios, and danced with major dance companies throughout the U.S., including Urban Bush Women, Pat Graney, and Nikolais/Louis.A dance degree at UW–Madison offers opportunities to:

• Study with a world-class faculty with excellent teacher-student ratios
• Rehearse and perform in state-of-the-art facilities
• Experience an interdisciplinary, rigorous approach to dance studies. Courses draw on the biological, physical and social sciences as well as the humanities.
• Earn a scholarship. Departmental awards for summer or honors study are also available.
• Interact with nationally and internationally renowned guest artists and master class instructors, such as the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Pilobolus, Meredith Monk, Elizabeth Streb, David Parsons, and Tim Miller.
• Perform frequently
• Pursue a double-major in a second area of interest

The department offers two undergraduate degrees in dance. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) undergraduate degree program in dance is for students with a strong interest and aptitude in dance and/or professional dance theater. The Bachelor of Science–Dance degree was designed for students who wish to prepare for graduate work in theoretical areas of dance or who wish to combine their interest in dance with other fields of study.The BFA requires a minimum of 85 major credits, including public presentations of original work, while the B.S. degree requires a minimum of 57 major credits. The differences in the major requirements highlight the differences between the two options: B.S. students can pursue other interests with their remaining credits, while BFA students are able to spend more time in the studio.  An audition to be a dance major is required and offered twice yearly, in November and February. Consult the department’s website for audition information,The dance department also offers three certificates of study: a general dance certificate, a certificate in introductory studies in dance/movement therapy, and a Pilates certificate.