Music Degrees Online

The art, the training, and the degree – they come together in SDSU’s dance program in the School of Music and Dance. Students combine professional-level training with studies that earn them a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance.

The degree in dance is built on a program with a 25-year history of distinguished choreography and technical training.

Philosophically, the program promotes dance as a communicative and expressive medium uniquely effective in the conveyance of meaning, emotion, and cultural values. It is a program that recognizes dance as an art and encourages students to take chances and find their own voices as individual artists.

Dance is a rigorous and specialized area of the performing arts, demanding a high level of physical preparation, as well as a thorough understanding of aesthetics and academics.

Upon graduation, students find that the technical and choreographic dance training opens the door to a large variety of professional careers in dance and dance-related fields.

Modern dance, ballet and innovative choreography are at the core of the SDSU dance curriculum, long recognized for its teaching excellence and contemporary aesthetic. In addition, dance activity courses provided in the School offer experiences for the general student population in modern, jazz, ballet, ethnic, and social forms.

Students have ample opportunity to develop and polish their dance skills in classroom and public performances within the SDSU dance program. As members of the University Dance Company, students perform in choreography and repertory works set by distinguished guest artists and faculty. Each student stages original work in a senior recital.

Programs and Requirements

At Lewis & Clark, theatre majors are required to study all aspects of the theatre. The major consists of course work in classic and contemporary dramatic literature, acting, directing, theatre design, and dance. Many students also participate in our growing playwriting program.

Design / Technical Theatre courses include:
design fundamentals
theatre graphics
scenography (scene & costume design)
stage lighting
stage craft
Dance offerings include:
stage movement
contemporary dance
ballet
dance history and performance criticism
dance composition and improvisation
the history and theory of modern and postmodern performance

Majors are encouraged to participate regularly in all aspects of the production program. Theatre studies at Lewis & Clark are designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the literature of the theatre and the nature of theatrical communication. The development of creative and collaborative abilities are emphasized, as are writing and speaking skills.