Dance

Cooperative program leading to the Associate in Arts Degree (AA) and the Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA), the Bachelor of Arts Degree with Teaching Certification (BA), the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA), or the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with Teaching Certification (BFA) at Sam Houston State University

The Dance Program at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) proudly presents a joint program allowing students to complete the Associate in Arts Degree and utilize the majority of courses to complete the Baccalaureate Degree in Art/ Dance (BA) or the Baccalaureate Degree in Fine Arts/ Dance at SHSU.  Students are encouraged to seek advice from Academic Advisors to ensure maximum transferability of courses between institutions.  Students interested in pursuing a four-year degree in dance are encouraged to take as many dance classes as possible at the college level in addition to their core classes.  

Admission to the Dance Program at SHSU requires an audition.  The BA requires a minimum of 36 hours of dance, 42 hours of core classes, and 14 hours of foreign language.
The BFA Degree in Dance at SHSU is selective and requires an audition from all applicants.  Auditions are held each semester. The BFA includes a minimum of 61 hours of dance and 42 hours of core classes.  A foreign language and academic minor are not required.

In addition to the BA or BFA, a Secondary Teaching Certification is available at SHSU.  It requires an additional 24 hours of Student Teaching Preparation, successful completion of the appropriate certification exams (ExCET, TOPT, or TexES).  A recommendation for Secondary Teaching Certification comes from the Sam Houston Center for Professional Development and Education Partnerships for the State Board for Educator Certification.

All dance majors must repeat DNC 110 (crew) for 2 semesters.  Bachelor of Arts Candidates must complete one semester each of DNC 333, 334, and 430.  Candidates for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree must be registered in both ballet and modern dance technique each semester after the freshman year.  They must also complete at least two semesters each of DNC 430, 433, and 434.  DNC 333, 334, 430, 433, and 434 are open only by audition or permission of the instructor. The BFA does not require a minor.

All dance majors require PHY 135/115 and BIO 245 or their transfer credit equivalents. Applicants to the Dance Program are encouraged to contact the department office for advising (936-294-1875).  We recognize direct mappings of Dance course numbers between institutions are not always possible.  Flexibility will be exercised to maximize transfer credit..  Students seeking credit for courses not specifically mapped below should contact an SHSU advisor to verfiy transfer compatibility prior to registration at other institutions.

The following tables list courses leading towards the BA in Dance, and the BFA in Dance.  Teaching Certification is available through the College of Education.  Classes listed are recommended by the Chair of the Dance Program for students interested in completing a four-year degree at SHSU.