The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance prepares students to teach participatory movement traditions in community settings, and to lead community groups in creating and performing their own dances and movement rituals. Community-based service-learning experiences provide many opportunities to realize these goals. Many Dance BA students pursue a double major at UWM; the service-learning component provides an opportunity to integrate the content of the two areas of study.
Requirements
Laptop Requirement
Preparing for a future defined by digital technology is an important step in developing artists. Our digitally integrated curriculum helps you achieve a professional level with leading art-related software and practices.
Laptop ownership is strongly recommended for all undergraduates. However, it’s required for the programs below. For more information please visit the Peck School of the Arts admission page.
- Art & Design (BA and BFA Programs)
- Dance (BA and BFA Programs)
- Film, Video, Animation & New Genres (BA and BFA Programs)
- Music (Composition & Technology Program)
- Theatre (BFA Production and BA Theatre Education Programs)
Credit Overview
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Core | 42 | |
| Dance Technique and Somatics | 26 | |
| Dance Creative and Academic | 28 | |
| General Electives (May Include Dance Electives) | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
University Core
The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Fine Arts is 120. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, foreign language, and chemistry may need additional credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements 1 | ||
| Competencies 1 | ||
| Oral and Written Communication – Part A and Part B 2 | ||
| Quantitative Literacy (QL) – Part A and Part B 2 | ||
| Foreign Language 2 | ||
| Distribution Requirements 1 | ||
| Humanities | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences (Must include one lab) | 6 | |
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
| Cultural Diversity 2 | ||
| Electives | ||
| Additional Electives | 12 | |
| Credits in Peck School of the Arts 3 | 9 | |
| University Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
- 1
Learn more about the General Education Requirements.
- 2
Credits may be utilized in required curriculum areas.
- 3
Chosen from three of the following departments in PSOA: Art & Design, Fine Arts, Theatre, or Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres.
Please note: For all Dance majors and minors, dance courses with a grade C- or below will not be counted toward any departmental degree.
Dance Foundations Curriculum
Students in both the BFA and BA dance degree programs must complete the following Dance Foundations curriculum in their freshman year:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DANCE 111 | Ballet I | 3 |
| DANCE 113 | Modern Dance Technique I | 3 |
| DANCE 233 | Improvisation for Dancemaking | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dance Technique and Somatics | ||
| DANCE 103 | Introduction to Yoga | 2 |
| DANCE 111 | Ballet I | 3 |
| DANCE 113 | Modern Dance Technique I | 3 |
| DANCE 220 | Body Sense | 3 |
| DANCE 122 | African Dance & Diaspora Technique I 4 | 2-3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition II | ||
| Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition III | ||
| Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition IV 5 | ||
| Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition II | ||
| Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition III | ||
| Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition IV 5 | ||
| Select two of the following: | 4 | |
| Jazz Dance I | ||
| Tap I | ||
| World Movement Traditions: (approved Sub-topic) | ||
| Dance Creative and Academic | ||
| DANCE 110 | Bodies in Motion: Dance, Identity and Culture 6 | 3 |
| DANCE 233 | Improvisation for Dancemaking | 3 |
| DANCE 251 | Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis (QL-B) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| History of Dance in the African Diaspora (OWC-B) | ||
| Contemporary Dance History (OWC-B) | ||
| History of the American Musical Theater (OWC-B) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Dance Service-Learning | ||
| Repertoire and Ensemble 7 | ||
| DANCE 352 | Digital Media Portfolio for Performers | 3 |
| DANCE 412 | Dance Composition I 6 | 3 |
| DANCE 420 | Creating Dance in the Community 6 | 3 |
| DANCE 460 | Teaching Dance in Community Settings | 3 |
| DANCE 601 | Senior Project | 3 |
| General Electives | 24 | |
| Select 24 general electives (May be Taken in Dance) | ||
| Total Credits | 78-79 | |
- 4
3 credits if GER-CD is desired for DANCE 122.
- 5
Students must pass with a B minimum.
- 6
Coursework involved in MPPR guidelines.
- 7
Any dancer cast in faculty or guest artist choreography must be enrolled in at least 1 UWM Department of Dance technique class that meets at least 3 times per week during the rehearsal semester.
Recommended BA Course Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DANCE 115 & DANCE 116 | Jazz Dance I and Jazz Dance II | 2 |
| DANCE 117 & DANCE 217 | Tap I and Tap II | 3 |
| DANCE 209 | Dance Production | 2 |
| DANCE 309 | Dance Production Practicum | 1 |
| DANCE 310 | Jazz III | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| History of Dance in the African Diaspora (OWC-B) | ||
| Contemporary Dance History (OWC-B) | ||
| History of the American Musical Theater (OWC-B) | ||
| DANCE 319 | Dance Service-Learning | 1 |
| DANCE 320 | Rituals and Culture | 3 |
| Select one or all of the following: | 3 | |
| Alexander Technique for the Performer and Alexander Technique Practicum | ||
| Body Conditioning: Pilates Method and Body Conditioning: Pilates Method II | ||
| Intermediate Yoga For Dancers | ||
| DANCE 624 | Feldenkrais for Performers | 2 |
| DANCE 325 | Pointe and Variations | 2 |
| DANCE 327 | Dance for the Musical Theatre I 8 | 2 |
| DANCE 427 | Dance for the Musical Theatre II | 2 |
| DANCE 370 | World Movement Traditions: | 2 |
| DANCE 371 | Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology | 3 |
| DANCE 414 | Dance Composition III | 2-3 |
| DANCE 489 | Workshop in Dance: (subtitle) | 2 |
| DANCE 490 | Repertoire and Ensemble 9,10 | 1 |
| or DANCE 491 | Repertory/Student Choreographer | |
| DANCE 491 | Repertory/Student Choreographer 11 | 1 |
| DANCE 624 | Feldenkrais for Performers | 2 |
| THEATRE 101 | Acting for Non-majors | 3 |
| THEATRE 260 | Storytelling: (subtitle) | 3 |
| THEATRE 275 | Performing Arts Management | 3 |
- 8
Coursework involved in MPPR guidelines.
- 9
Any dancer cast in faculty or guest artist choreography must be enrolled in at least 3 UWM Department of Dance technique classes per week during the rehearsal semester.
- 10
Per departmental policy, any time a student is cast in a faculty or guest artist work and is enrolled for less than 18 credits, they must enroll in DANCE 490 for 1 credit during the appropriate semester.
- 11
Any student cast in a student work must be enrolled in at least 1 UWM Department of Dance technique class that meets at least 2 times per week during the rehearsal semester.
Recommended Course of Study
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Includes Foundations Curriculum | ||
| DANCE 111 | Ballet I | 3 |
| DANCE 220 | Body Sense | 3 |
| University Core | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| DANCE 110 | Bodies in Motion: Dance, Identity and Culture | 3 |
| DANCE 113 | Modern Dance Technique I | 3 |
| DANCE 233 | Improvisation for Dancemaking | 3 |
| University Core | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| DANCE 112 or DANCE 114 | Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition II or Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition II | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 2 | |
| Jazz Dance I | ||
| Tap I | ||
| World Movement Traditions: (approved Sub-topic) | ||
| DANCE 122 | African Dance & Diaspora Technique I | 3 |
| DANCE 412 | Dance Composition I 1 | 3 |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| DANCE 103 | Introduction to Yoga | 2 |
| DANCE 211 or DANCE 213 | Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition III or Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition III | 3 |
| Elective (May be taken in Dance) | 3 | |
| PSOA Core | 6 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 2 | |
| Jazz Dance I | ||
| Tap I | ||
| World Movement Traditions: | ||
| DANCE 212 or DANCE 214 | Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition IV or Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition IV | 3 |
| DANCE 251 | Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis (QL-B) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Contemporary Dance History (OWC-B) | ||
| History of the American Musical Theater (OWC-B) | ||
| History of Dance in the African Diaspora (OWC-B) | ||
| Dance or University Elective | 3 | |
| PSOA Core | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| DANCE 352 | Digital Media Portfolio for Performers | 3 |
| DANCE 319 or DANCE 490 | Dance Service-Learning 2,3,4 or Repertoire and Ensemble | 1 |
| DANCE 420 | Creating Dance in the Community | 3 |
| Dance or University Elective | 3 | |
| PSOA Core | 6 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| DANCE 460 | Teaching Dance in Community Settings | 3 |
| Dance and/or University Electives | 6 | |
| PSOA Core | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| DANCE 601 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Dance and/or University Electives | 8 | |
| PSOA Core | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Coursework involved in MPPR guidelines.
- 2
Any dancer cast in faculty or guest artist choreography must be enrolled in at least 3 UWM Department of Dance technique classes per week during the rehearsal semester.
- 3
Per departmental policy, any time a student is cast in a faculty or guest artist work and is enrolled for less than 18 credits, they must enroll in DANCE 490 for 1 credit during the appropriate semester.
- 4
Any student cast in a student work must be enrolled in at least 1 UWM Department of Dance technique class that meets at least 2 times per week during the rehearsal semester.
Admission and Retention Requirements
Admission Requirements
To be considered for the Dance BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts and complete a successful audition. Please visit the Peck School admissions page for more information.
Retention Requirements
Each undergraduate dance major's coursework will be reviewed at the end of their sophomore year to determine continuance in the major, as part of the Mid-Program Portfolio Review. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the dance major.
All students are expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to their health and overall conditioning in order to fulfill the department's academic requirements. Each student's ability to undertake the demands of the dance program, including their overall physical ability to perform in classes, auditions, rehearsals, and/or performances, will be a factor in the following: grading at the end of each semester; the audition/rehearsal/performance process for departmental productions and outreach events; the Mid-Program Portfolio Review assessment; determining "probation" status; and potentially removing a student from the program.
Advising
Location: Theatre 120
Hours: M–Th 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Fri. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed on university holidays)
Contact: 414-229-4763 | Contact Form
Academic advising is an important aspect of long-term academic success. At the Peck School of the Arts, we offer professional advising in the undergraduate disciplines of art, dance, film, music and theatre.
Our advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist them in areas such as: degree requirements, major options, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and procedures, and more.
For more information please visit the Peck School of the Arts advising and student services page.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.
High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.
Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.
Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.
College of the Arts and Architecture Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.