Dance Major

• What is Dance?
• What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
• What Kinds of Students Major in Dance?
• What Courses Do Dance Majors Take?
• List of Dance Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for Dance Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is Dance?

Dance programs provide students with the opportunity to study dance in order to dance as artists, become teachers of dance or to study further as scholars. The field of dance includes training in both traditional and non-traditional dance. While focusing on the development of performers, choreographers and educators, dance programs also encourage the emergence of new, diverse and creative dance techniques and styles. Dance students also enrich the cultural life of the campus and the community. Because dance is such a physically strenuous activity, many dancers retire at an early age. Most dancers desire a college degree in dance in order to remain in the field after they retire. A dance degree is a liberal arts degree usually housed in the college of music, theatre or dance. Although a college degree in dance is not necessary to perform, it is necessary for those who want to teach dance in college, high school or elementary schools. A dance degree also provides a foundation for those who want to develop a career in the arts, but not necessarily perform.

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What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?

Various specializations related to a major in Dance may be offered by colleges and universities. These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest to you. A few of these specializations related to this field include, but are not limited to:

Ballet	Classical Dance
Contemporary Dance	Ethnic Dance
Fold Dance	Jazz Dance
Opera	Popular Dance
Tap Dance

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What Kinds of Students Major in Dance?

Students who major in dance are creative, imaginative and expressive. These students are able to express their artistic abilities by drawing, painting, movement, and performance. These students enjoy hobbies that include attendance at live performance or art exhibits. They must be physically well conditioned to perform well.

Is Dance the right major for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it is one of your top recommended majors!

What Courses Do Dance Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Dance majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Ballet	Classical Technique
Dance Composition	Dance Criticism
Dance History	Dance Philosophy
Dance Production	Dance Repertory
Modern Dance	Movement and Body Alignment
Rhythmic Analysis

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List of Potential Jobs in Dance

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Dance	Dance Instructor
Dance Teacher	Dancer

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What is the Median Salary Range for Dance Careers?

Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in Dance

MyMajors complete list has 287 schools in the USA with a major in Dance.
-View the national listing!

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