Dance
Major in the College of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance offers intensive, professional training within a rigorous academic setting. Students train in daily technique classes in ballet and contemporary dance forms, while also enjoying a curriculum that consists of practical and theoretical studies in performance, choreography, pedagogy and related dance studies (dance history, experiential anatomy, somatics and cultural dance forms).
Students have the opportunity to perform and participate in the department’s award-winning dance company, Dance Repertory Theatre, and work with internationally recognized guest artists and scholars at one of the nation’s top research universities. The University of Texas at Austin is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).
Freshman and External Transfer Admission
ShowAll freshmen applicants must submit their ApplyTexas applications by December 1. Transfer applications must be submitted by March 1. The Department will only consider applicants who list our majors as a "first choice." Applicants may check the status of their application and update their selections through their MyStatus page.
All applicants must also submit College of Fine Arts Application and Prescreen Materials. Select applicants may be invited to attend an in-person or virtual callback interview/audition. The portal to submit a College of Fine Arts application will be accessible via the applicant’s MyStatus portal after submitting the Common Application.
Internal Transfer Requirements
ShowAll applicants must submit the Prescreen Materials with the UT Austin Internal Transfer Application. Select applicants may be invited to attend an in-person or virtual callback interview/audition.
Required Courses
ShowView the Theatre and Dance degree plans for a list of required coursework in this major.
Most Theatre and Dance courses are restricted to Theatre and Dance majors, but there are a few open to non-majors. Learn more about taking Theatre and Dance classes as a non-major.
Specializations
ShowStudents may choose to pursue the Dance Education option, which leads to State of Texas teacher certification for grades 6-12.
Beyond a solid base of knowledge and technical proficiency in dance, the preparation for dance educator certification requires a systematic inquiry into the pedagogies and processes that facilitate learning movement, dance making and literacy as well as history and legacy. The dance certification program is grounded in the praxis of educational theory and best practices in teaching dance, and is designed to enhance the teaching and learning experiences for both instructors and students.
