Theatre Major: Dance Option (B.A.)

The dance option offers a diverse program that is designed to give the dance teacher, choreographer and/or performer the skills needed to embark on a successful career. Technique courses in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz and the aerial arts are at the core of this program. Courses in history of dance, composition, choreography and dance pedagogy aid dancers in preparing for a variety of employment opportunities in the dance field. In addition, dancers are introduced to the technical aspects involved in staging a full-scale performance. Performance opportunities include yearly faculty-directed dance concerts and student-created dance showcases each semester. Dancers may focus on one or all dance forms.

If you are interested in teaching grades K-12, you could pursue dance education, either through NH Dance K-12 teacher undergraduate certification, or you could pursue a fifth-year master's in teaching program through the UNH Education Department.  A Master's degree can raise your salary significantly when entering the workforce.

Students who show mastery of aerial dance performance have the unique opportunity to receive Aerial Dance Teacher Training.  Students may leave UNH with a certificate verifying they have completed a 75 hour training program focused on the fundamental skills needed to safely teach Aerial Dance.

Contact Gay Nardone, Newman Dance Studio, (603) 862-1728.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

In the freshman and sophomore years, students should enroll for at least two major and two Discovery courses per semester. The minimum grade requirement for major courses is C- per course. Any grade lower than C- will not count toward the major. Under department policy, students who complete both COMM 401 American Sign Language I and COMM 502 American Sign Language II satisfy the bachelor of arts language proficiency requirement. All majors must take courses in the following areas: performance, design/theatre technology and theory/history as well as fulfill between four and eight practicums and complete a capstone course.  Although timing will vary with each option, it is strongly suggested that all introductory courses be taken prior to the end of the student's sophomore year.  Students must also complete a digital portfolio that demonstrates fulfillment of student learning outcomes related to their area of study.

The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Theatre department majors may use one major-required course to satisfy one Discovery category requirement.

All UNH B.A. degrees require a minimum of 128 credit hours.

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The practicum ensures a breadth of experience in the major, including sets, costumes, lighting, props, box office, marketing, and performing.  Students must register for practicum every semester.  They are notified of their practicum assignment at the beginning of each semester.

State K-12 Teacher Certification

Certification in dance is part of the pre-service programs in teacher education, which seek to prepare teachers who demonstrate excellence in classroom practice and who will become educational leaders. You may achieve dance licensure in two different ways. You may pursue dance education/licensure through the undergraduate program.  This leaves no room for double majors or minors. If you want to broaden your undergraduate education and need more space for classes outside of THDA, you may pursue the five-year program, beginning preparation for teaching at the undergraduate level and then pursuing a graduate degree to get dance certification. Students complete a baccalaureate degree in theatre with a dance option and move into a fifth year of study with a full-year internship, leading to either the Masters in Education (M.Ed.) or a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree and licensure for teaching. With a GPA of 3.2 or better, you may be eligible for early admission to the graduate program, allowing up to twelve credits to dual count for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Successful completion of the Praxis Core test is required for UNH graduate school admission. To complete the work in five years, students must plan for dual admission to graduate school and also take multiple education courses during the undergraduate years.

The kindergarten through 12th grade certification in the dance education program provides the foundation for public school teaching certification. This program integrates a general education background with dance training in a variety of dance styles, dance history, choreography and dance pedagogy for the purpose of understanding content, process, and methodologies of dance as an art form. All five-year candidates must meet requirements for admission to graduate school. All K-12 education in dance students must receive a “C-” grade or better in all theatre and dance courses required in the program and a “B-” or better in the graduate level courses. New Hampshire also participates in a reciprocal agreement with many other states, the Interstate Certification Compact. For further clarification regarding undergraduate or graduate teacher certification options, contact Assaf Benchetrit, Paul Creative Arts Center, (603) 862-4485, assaf.benchetrit@unh.edu.

4-Year Teacher Licensure B.A. Program

The 4-year teacher licensure B.A. program includes the same requirements as the B.A. dance option but with the following modifications.

• The THDA 551: Acting I requirement is waived.
• The THDA 798/799 requirement is replaced with EDUC 694 Courses in Supervised Teaching.
• The Performance requirement is reduced from 16 credits to 12 credits. 
• The following requirements are added:

5-Year Teacher Licensure M.A.T. or M.Ed. Program

The 5-year teacher licensure M.A.T. or M.Ed. program includes the same requirements as the B.A. dance option but with the following modifications.

• The following requirements are added:

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Must be taken before the teaching internship.

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May be taken at the undergraduate level or the graduate level.

Core Student Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre major: On completion of the B.A. in Theatre, students will:

• Recognize and distinguish between various styles and forms of theatre or dance that have shaped the evolution of these disciplines.
• Effectively communicate artistic ideas and/or critical analysis of theatre or dance works through appropriate oral, written or practical means.
• Demonstrate knowledge and fundamental skill level of the basic areas of theatre or dance production in areas related to performance, design, technology or management.
• Create and demonstrate informed and personal artistic choices in coursework and productions (i.e., design, dance, directing, acting).

Additional Student Learning Outcomes for Option in Dance: In addition to the shared department learning outcomes for all THDA students, upon completion of the major with an Option in Dance, students will:

• Develop an awareness of proper dance technique, physical expression and kinesthetic exploration.
• Apply choreographic phrases and compositional skills through performance.
• Demonstrate a foundation in dance pedagogy.
• Demonstrate a reflective and critical awareness of dance history.
• Effectively apply dance principles to critical writing via journals, performance critiques, and research assignments.