Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Dance Major; B.A. degree option


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Program Description


A dance major must fulfill B.A. degree and major requirements.

Special Admission and Retention Requirements


Admission to the dance, theatre and musical theatre majors are competitive and an audition/interview is required. Please see the School of Theatre and Dance website for more information: https://www.jmu.edu/theatredance/apply/index.shtml.

All School of Theatre and Dance majors must complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree and must complete the General Education program. Theatre/Musical Theatre majors cannot take THEA 210. Introduction to Theatre [C2VPA] to meet the visual and performing arts requirements. Dance majors cannot take DANC 215. The Dance Experience [C2VPA] to meet the visual and performing arts requirement. Courses from other academic units may not be counted both for the School of Theatre and Dance majors and for another major. 

A minimum grade of “C” is required in all courses that apply to a major in the School of Theatre and Dance.

Degree and Major Requirements


Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
General Education 141
Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 20-14
Philosophy course (in addition to General Education  courses)3
University electives13-28
Major requirements (listed below)

Total

48-49

120

Footnotes


1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some credits may be fulfilled by courses required within the major.

2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures’ placement test.

Major Requirements


All students pursuing a dance major must complete the core requirements.

Total: 8-9 Credit Hours


Footnote


DANC 143  fulfills the folk dance requirement for students pursuing dance teacher licensure.

Program Requirements


Technique Courses

The student is required to complete 10 credits in modern and four credits in ballet technique, with placement to be assessed in conference with dance faculty. Modern, ballet and jazz technique classes all have an advanced level course in the curriculum. The requirements listed below are the minimum level expected of dance major students. Most majors will take additional technique courses as university electives throughout their study in the dance program.

Two semesters for a total of four credits:

Two semesters for a total of four credits:

One semester for a total of two credits:

Select four credits from the following courses:

Major Requirements Total: 48-49 Credit Hours


Recommended Schedule for Majors


First Year


Total: 28 Credit Hours


Second Year


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Third Year


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Fourth Year


Total: 32 Credit Hours


Program Total: 120 Credit Hours


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