Colorado State University offers a rigorous classical and contemporary dance program culminating in a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. The degree requires a strong physical and mental commitment and an eagerness to learn and improve, and consists of 120 total credits with the following focus areas:
- Technique, Performance, and Repertoire
- Choreography and Improvisation
- Pedagogy and Teaching Methodologies
- History and Theory
- Technical Production and Design
- Guest Artists and Masterclasses
Our B.F.A. degree is a professional education program designed to prepare students for careers in dance. Dance students explore the many possibilities for movement expression, along with creative and scholarly examination, in a challenging and supportive environment. Curriculum is focused on classical and contemporary dance performance, choreography, and pedagogy. This holistic approach also includes anatomy and kinesiology, music, production design, and career development. Technique classes in classical and contemporary forms are aimed at achieving an advanced level of performance and artistry. Students have multiple opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in tangible ways, such as performance of repertoire, supervised teaching, supervised concert direction, and choreography for concerts. Beginning freshman year, students are eligible to perform in our four, annually produced dance concerts. The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is comprised of esteemed faculty and administrative and production staff, all dedicated to supporting student education in the arts.
Dance Audition
In addition to applying to CSU through the Office of Admissions, a successful audition with CSU Dance faculty is required for entrance into both the B.F.A. and the B.A. Visit Dance Audition Information for more information.
Effective Fall 2020
A successful audition is required prior to entrance into the B.F.A. in Dance. A minimum grade of C is required in all dance courses required for this major.
Freshman | |||
---|---|---|---|
AUCC | Credits | ||
CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | 1A | 3 |
D 126 | Dance Improvisation | 2 | |
D 186 | Production Practicum | 1 | |
D 192 | Dance First Year Seminar | 1 | |
D 220A | Dance Techniques III: Modern | 2 | |
D 220B | Dance Techniques III: Ballet | 3 | |
D 221A | Dance Techniques IV: Modern | 2 | |
D 221B | Dance Techniques IV: Ballet | 3 | |
Select one course from the following:1 | 2 | ||
Music for Dance | |||
Seminar - The Dancing Body | |||
TH 2642 | Lighting Design for the Theatre I | 3 | |
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 3 | |
Diversity and Global Awareness | 3E | 3 | |
Quantitative Reasoning | 1B | 3 | |
Total Credits | 31 | ||
Sophomore | |||
D 220A | Dance Techniques III: Modern | 2 | |
D 220B | Dance Techniques III: Ballet | 3 | |
D 221A | Dance Techniques IV: Modern | 2 | |
D 221B | Dance Techniques IV: Ballet | 3 | |
D 226 | Dance Choreography I | 2 | |
D 286 | Performance Practicum | 1 | |
D 324 | Teaching Creative Movement for Children | 2 | |
D 330 | Dance Repertory Ensemble | 2 | |
D 340 | Dance Repertory Engagement | 2 | |
Select one course from the following:1 | 2 | ||
Music for Dance | |||
Seminar - The Dancing Body | |||
Select one course from the following: | 4A | 3 | |
History of Non-Western Dance Forms | 4A | ||
History of Western Dance Forms | 4A | ||
Advanced Writing | 2 | 3 | |
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 4 | |
Total Credits | 31 | ||
Junior | |||
D 320A | Dance Techniques V: Modern | 3 | |
D 320B | Dance Techniques V: Ballet | 4 | |
D 321A | Dance Techniques VI: Modern | 3 | |
D 321B | Dance Techniques VI: Ballet | 4 | |
D 326 | Dance Choreography II | 3 | |
D 330 | Dance Repertory Ensemble | 2 | |
D 340 | Dance Repertory Engagement | 2 | |
D 392 | Dance Seminar | 1 | |
Select one course from the following:3 | 4A | 3 | |
History of Non-Western Dance Forms | 4A | ||
History of Western Dance Forms | 4A | ||
Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |
Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3C | 3 | |
Total Credits | 31 | ||
Senior | |||
D 420A | Dance Techniques VII: Modern | 2 | |
D 420B | Dance Techniques VII: Ballet | 2 | |
D 421A | Dance Techniques VIII: Modern | 2 | |
D 421B | Dance Techniques VIII: Ballet | 2 | |
D 424 | Ballet Technique Pedagogy | 3 | |
D 434 | Modern Technique Pedagogy | 3 | |
D 471 | Dance Capstone Concert | 4B,4C | 3 |
D 487 | Dance Internship | 1 | |
Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |
Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |
Electives | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 27 | ||
Program Total Credits: | 120 |
1 | D 224 is offered in Spring of odd years. D 292 is offered in Spring of even years. Both courses are required to complete the major, but students may take them in any order. |
2 | Students will need to obtain a registration override from the instructor to take this course. |
3 | D 427 is offered in Spring of even years.D 428 is offered in Spring of odd years. Both courses are required to complete the major, but students may take them in any order. |
To Declare this Major: A successful audition is required prior to entrance into the B.F.A. in Dance.
Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program: A minimum grade of C is required in all dance courses required for this major.
Freshman | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
D 126 | Dance Improvisation | X | 2 | ||
D 186 | Production Practicum | X | 1 | ||
D 192 | Dance First Year Seminar | X | 1 | ||
D 220A | Dance Techniques III: Modern | X | 2 | ||
D 220B | Dance Techniques III: Ballet | X | 3 | ||
Arts and Humanities | X | 3A | 3 | ||
Biological and Physical Sciences | X | 3B | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Spring | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | X | 1A | 3 | |
D 221A | Dance Techniques IV: Modern | X | 2 | ||
D 221B | Dance Techniques IV: Ballet | X | 3 | ||
D 224 or 292 | Music for Dance Seminar - The Dancing Body | X | 2 | ||
TH 264 | Lighting Design for the Theatre I | X | 3 | ||
Mathematics | X | 1B | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Sophomore | |||||
Fall | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
D 220A | Dance Techniques III: Modern | X | 2 | ||
D 220B | Dance Techniques III: Ballet | X | 3 | ||
D 286 | Performance Practicum | X | 1 | ||
D 330 | Dance Repertory Ensemble | X | 2 | ||
Advanced Writing | X | 2 | 3 | ||
Biological and Physical Sciences | X | 3A | 4 | ||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Spring | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
D 221A | Dance Techniques IV: Modern | X | 2 | ||
D 221B | Dance Techniques IV: Ballet | X | 3 | ||
D 224 or 292 | Music for Dance Seminar - The Dancing Body | 2 | |||
D 226 | Dance Choreography I | 2 | |||
D 324 | Teaching Creative Movement for Children | X | 2 | ||
D 340 | Dance Repertory Engagement | 2 | |||
D 427 or 428 | History of Non-Western Dance Forms History of Western Dance Forms | X | 4A | 3 | |
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Junior | |||||
Fall | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
D 320A | Dance Techniques V: Modern | X | 3 | ||
D 320B | Dance Techniques V: Ballet | X | 4 | ||
D 326 | Dance Choreography II | X | 3 | ||
D 330 | Dance Repertory Ensemble | X | 2 | ||
Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Spring | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
D 321A | Dance Techniques VI: Modern | X | 3 | ||
D 321B | Dance Techniques VI: Ballet | X | 4 | ||
D 340 | Dance Repertory Engagement | X | 2 | ||
D 392 | Dance Seminar | X | 1 | ||
D 427 or 428 | History of Non-Western Dance Forms History of Western Dance Forms | 4A | 3 | ||
Social and Behavioral Sciences | X | 3C | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Senior | |||||
Fall | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
D 420A | Dance Techniques VII: Modern | X | 2 | ||
D 420B | Dance Techniques VII: Ballet | X | 2 | ||
D 434 | Modern Technique Pedagogy | X | 3 | ||
D 471 | Dance Capstone Concert | 4B,4C | 3 | ||
Historical Perspectives | X | 3D | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 13 | ||||
Spring | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
D 421A | Dance Techniques VIII: Modern | X | 2 | ||
D 421B | Dance Techniques VIII: Ballet | X | 2 | ||
D 424 | Ballet Technique Pedagogy | X | 3 | ||
D 487 | Dance Internship | 1 | |||
Diversity and Global Awareness | X | 3E | 3 | ||
Electives | X | 3 | |||
Total Credits | 14 | ||||
Program Total Credits: | 120 |