The CSULB Department of Dance offers three undergraduate degree programs and a minor in Dance. 

The BA in Dance provides a balanced course of study that helps to prepare students for careers such as performers, educators, arts administrators, health and fitness specialists, and/or graduate study in dance. 

The BA in Dance, Option in Dance Science adds scientific depth to help prepare students for careers in dance medicine, dance fitness, somatics, education, or graduate studies in related areas such as athletic training, physical therapy, or kinesiology. 

The BFA in Dance is designed to prepare students for professional careers as performers and/or choreographers with more concentrated study in the areas of technique, performance, and choreography. 

The Minor in Dance is designed for experienced dance students to continue training and deepen knowledge about dance and enhances and complements a major field of study. 

All undergraduate students enter in the BA in Dance program, and students are encouraged from their freshman year to begin aiming their Department experience toward one of these three degrees. The Department also offers two graduate degree programs, the Master of Fine Arts and the Master of Arts in Dance.  

The MFA is a demanding program designed to challenge professionally experienced students to develop their artistic and analytical work through numerous performances and choreographic opportunities.  This terminal degree prepares candidates for careers in higher education, performance, and choreography.  

The MA in Dance is a concentrated program for dance educators currently working in high schools and community colleges.  This advanced degree is designed to enhance teaching and choreographic skills, while broadening aesthetic, historical, and scientific understandings of dance.

All CSULB Dance majors begin in the BA in Dance program.  This program provides a balanced course of study for students, and allows for the most flexibility in serving individual needs and interests for particular professional paths.  While attending CSULB, dance majors have the opportunity to enter one of the other degree programs offered depending on their interests and abilities.  Both the BA, Option in Dance Science and the BFA require students to achieve particular milestones before switching degrees.  For the BA, Option in Dance Science, students must pass DANC 260 and 261 with a grade of B or better before submitting a Change of Major form to Program Coordinator Karen Clippinger and Chair Andy Vaca.  For the BFA, students must apply to audition after completing several courses with a grade of B or better.  Each of these degrees, and the Minor in Dance, or more thoroughly explained below.  For more detailed information regarding Advising, please visit Major Advising.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Dance

All students enter the Department of Dance in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance program, providing students with a balanced course of study that prepares them for careers in dance as performers, educators, arts administrators, health and fitness specialists, and/or graduate study in dance while providing opportunities for study in specific areas of personal interest. 

Click here for current BA in Dance requirements (pdf)

Click below for past BA in Dance requirements, based upon the academic year the student entered the program.

2010/2011

2009

 

Student Learning Outcomes, BA in Dance 

1. Majors will develop competency in modern dance and ballet, enabling them to pursue careers in education, health and fitness, professional arenas, or to further their academic dance pursuits.
2. Majors will gain an overview of the historical, cultural, and scientific dimensions of dance.
3. Majors will have explored the fundamental skills and techniques necessary for the public performance of dance.
4. Majors will have practical experience in the production and technological aspects of dance.
5. Majors will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the craft and aesthetic qualities of dance orally, practically, and in writing.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance, Option in Dance Science

The BA in Dance, Option in Dance Science, offers a course of study combining dance with specific kinesiology and science courses for students interested in teaching careers in dance, dance medicine, careers in dance fitness, or graduate education in the areas of dance science or related dance studies. Students interested in the BA in Dance, Option in Dance Science should meet with Program Coordinator Karen Clippinger no later than the start of their 2nd year (earlier for transfer students).  To enter this program, students must pass DANC 260 (Functional Anatomy for the Dancer) and DANC 261 (Anatomy in Clay Laboratory) with a grade of B or better before submitting a Change of Major form to Prof. Clippinger and Chair Andy Vaca.
See a short video about the BA in Dance, Option in Dance Science on Karen Clippinger's Bio Page.

Click here for current BA in Dance, Option in Dance Science requirements
Change of Major Form

Student Learning Outcomes 
B.A. in Dance, Option in Dance Science

1. Majors will be able to perform a qualitative anatomical analysis of standing alignment and key dance vocabulary, as well as provide exercises and cues for their improvement.
2. Majors will be able to execute and cue Pilates repertoire designed to enhance dance performance, movement coordination and physical conditioning.
3. Majors will demonstrate an understanding of key anatomical and biomechanical principles for preventing dance injuries and promoting optimal technique when training as dancers or teaching dance technique.
4. Majors will attain an understanding of theoretical and practical scientific concepts of movement to help prepare them for pursuing further degrees or certifications in dance science or related fields.
5. Majors will develop competency in modern dance and ballet, enabling them to pursue careers in education, health and fitness, professional arenas, or to further their academic dance pursuits.
6. Majors will gain an overview of the historical, cultural, and scientific dimensions of dance. 
7. Majors will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the craft and aesthetic qualities of dance orally, practically, and in writing.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance is designed to prepare students for professional careers as performers and/or choreographers.  All students wishing to pursue the B.F.A. in Dance must demonstrate strong technical skill, and must audition for faculty with a solo of original choreography and a short interview.  Students are eligible to audition after completing the following course work with a grade of “B” or better:

• DANC 120
• Six units from DANC 152 and/or 252
• Six units from DANC 154 and/or 254
• One unit from 181A, 181B, 381A, 381B (a “crew” unit)

 

If students are within 3 weeks of completing the requirements, they may audition with a signed Grade In Progress from their current technique teacher, improvisation teacher, and/or production supervisor.  These signatures should appear on the B.F.A. application.  Students may not apply after they have completed more than 90 units.  B.F.A. auditions occur each semester, and students may only audition twice for entrance into this degree program.  For more information, see B.F.A. Mentor, Keith Johnson.

Click here for the BFA audition form
Change of Major Form
Click here for the current BFA in Dance requirements

Click below for past BFA in Dance requirements, based upon the academic year the student entered the program.

• 2010/2011
• 2009

Student Learning Outcomes, BFA in Dance, approved November 1, 2012

1. Majors will demonstrate proficient skills and technique in modern dance and ballet, with competency in jazz dance and/or other forms, enabling them to pursue professional dance careers.
2. Majors will demonstrate competencies in choreographic processes that support the development of creative and collaborative professional opportunities.
3. Majors will demonstrate substantial knowledge of the historical and scientific dimensions of dance, to give depth and perspective to the performance and pedagogical aspects of the dance discipline.
4. Majors will develop and demonstrate current methods and relevant strategies necessary to pursue professional careers in dance and dance-related fields.
5. Majors will demonstrate the skills necessary to analyze and review dance, both orally and in writing the history, concepts and aesthetic qualities of dance.
6. Majors will demonstrate selected practical skills in the production and technological aspects of dance.

Minor in Dance

The Minor in Dance allows students to maintain a commitment to dance training while majoring in another field of study.  In meeting the requirements of the Dance Minor, students must adhere to the high artistic and technical standards of the Dance Major programs.  To be a Minor in Dance, students must be accepted through the same Department audition that all students must pass in order to be Dance Majors.

If you are a new or current CSULB student wishing to be a Minor in Dance, you must sign up for an undergraduate audition.  Current CSULB students DO NOT need to audition at transfer auditions and perform a solo.

Click here for current Minor in Dance requirements
Click here for the Application to Audition for the Dance Major or Minor form