COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance program at The University of Akron combines rigorous studio training with comprehensive academic coursework to develop technically proficient and versatile dancers. Students complete 36 credit hours of General Education, including foundational courses in mathematics, writing, speaking, natural sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities, along with integrated learning and diversity experiences. College of Arts & Sciences requirements ensure students take at least 40 upper-level credits both in and outside the major, fostering breadth of knowledge and interdisciplinary skills. The dance curriculum emphasizes ballet and modern dance techniques, requiring 28 credits in ballet, including two semesters of Ballet VIII, and 12 credits in modern technique courses from Modern V through Modern VIII. Students also select two credits in jazz or tap, while six additional credits focus on somatics, world dance, and partnering skills, including Pilates, yoga, pointe work, and pas de deux. Dance lecture courses, totaling 31 credits, cover physical analysis, choreography, digital technology, rhythmic analysis, dance history and philosophy, instructional strategies, and senior seminar, alongside orientation and performance assessments. Finally, students engage in at least five credits of dance organizations, such as Dance Production Ensemble, to gain practical performance experience. This integrated approach prepares graduates for professional performance, choreography, teaching, and related fields in dance.