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
| 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 | |
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Learn more about the General Education Requirements.
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Credits may be utilized in required curriculum areas.
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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 Iyengar 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 | Survey of Global Dance: Rituals, Performance and Community 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 | |
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3 credits if GER-CD is desired for DANCE 122.
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Students must pass with a B minimum.
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Coursework involved in MPPR guidelines.
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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 |
| THEATRE 320 | Arts and Social Entrepreneurship (subtitle) | 3 |
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Coursework involved in MPPR guidelines.
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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.
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Per departmental policy, any time a student is cast in a faculty or guest artist work and is enrolled for less than 18 credits, he/she must enroll in DANCE 490 for 1 credit during the appropriate semester.
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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 | Survey of Global Dance: Rituals, Performance and Community | 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 Iyengar 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, he/she 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 for the Dance BFA and BA
Admission Requirements
Please see uwm.edu/arts/apply for information on admission starting spring 2017.
Students must meet general university admission requirements to be admitted to any of the undergraduate curricula as a freshman or transfer student. Passing the Dance Entrance Audition (on-campus or video) is required for entrance into the Dance BA or BFA degree programs.
On-campus auditions consist of a variety of technique classes, writing sample, one-minute solo performance (can be self-choreographed), and Q&A session. Video submission (only with prior authorization via email to dance-admission@uwm.edu) consists of writing sample, 5 minutes each of two contrasting dance techniques, and 2-3 minutes of performance video (DVD or URLs in online form). Auditions after the last on-campus audition will be by appointment or via video submission. If unsuccessful, students may re-audition, but are limited to auditioning twice per academic year (via any method).
To RSVP for a specific audition date, or to submit the video audition form (after authorization), prospective students must:
- complete the appropriate online form at uwm.edu/arts/apply and
- submit separate copies of their high school and/or college transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for this purpose).
Transcripts and/or video footage should be sent to dance-admission@uwm.edu or UWM Dance Admission, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201.
UWM priority application deadline is March 1.
Transfer students must complete a minimum of half of the required dance credits while in residence at UWM in order to graduate. The exact total is available upon admission to the program. Transcript evaluation by a dance advisor is required before placement into dance major courses.
Once accepted, students may enter the program during either fall or spring semesters, but are strongly encouraged to enter in the fall term to progress more smoothly through the BA or BFA curricular sequence.
Retention Requirements
Each undergraduate dance major's coursework will be reviewed at the end of his/her 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 his/her 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.
Laptops
Dance BA and BFA students are required to have a laptop computer (or comparable tablet meeting minimum specifications) by the beginning of their sophomore year, but are strongly encouraged to have one when they enter the program. The hardware and software must meet or exceed the current departmental requirements, as stated on the website (uwm.edu/arts/apply/laptop/) and in the Dance Undergraduate Student Handbook. Website also includes information on using financial aid to fund this expense.
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.