College Counseling: Great Schools for Non-conservatory-style Dance Programs

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Emily Standish, GoLocalPDX College Admission Coach

Photo Credit: Wikimedia CC.

Last week I highlighted college and university conservatory-style programs for aspiring professional dancers. This week my list comprises programs that attract serious dancers who may have other career goals in mind. Those are dance majors for students who may want to pursue education, writing, arts law, journalism, sports medicine, dance therapy, or other careers that combine well with the study and discipline of dance.

A Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance requires fewer units of dance classes, freeing up students to double-major and still graduate within four years. The following are five schools that meet national standards as established by the National Association of Schools of Dance, and also encourage dance students to combine dance with another discipline. There are eighty accredited programs in the United States; though accreditation is voluntary and there are many more dance programs within colleges and universities than are listed on the NASD website.

Columbia College, Columbia, SC

Columbia College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Studies and Dance Education, with certifications also available in Choreography, Dance Studio/Private Sector Ownership, and Dance Research and Writing.
No audition is required to enroll as a dance major; classes are rooted in contemporary dance and other diverse forms.
By the numbers: 64% acceptance rate; Mid-range SAT scores: CR 470-570, M 450-560; ACT mid-range 19-23.

Goucher College, Baltimore, MD

The Dance Department offers eight tracks of study: performance, dance education, choreography, dance history and criticism, dance therapy, dance administration, dance science, and dance and theater.
Goucher’s Early Arrival Dance Program allows any registered Goucher student the chance to arrive on campus in August to study with guest artists and faculty before classes start. Prior dance experience and an audition are required.
By the numbers: 72% overall acceptance rate; Goucher College is test-optional, students may submit a video application. Reported Mid-range SAT scores: CR 510-660, M 500-620; Mid range ACT 23-28.

Hope College, Holland, MI

The Dance Department at Hope College offers concentrations in Dance Performance, Choreography, Dance Education for Elementary and Dance Education for Secondary School, Dance/Psychology, Dance/Chemistry or Biology, Dance/English, and Dance/French. Double majors are possible and encouraged.
Hope offers off-campus dance study in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Paris, and Mexico.
By the numbers: 70% overall acceptance rate; SAT Mid-range scores: CR 520-660, M 530-670; ACT Mid-range 24-29.

Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT

The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance offers majors in Dance Education and Dance Performance.
SUU offers students of dance two new studios, one for ballet and a separate space for modern dance in addition to a separate tap studio, and three performance facilities.
By the numbers: 57% overall acceptance rate; Mid-range SAT scores: CR 470-570, M 460-580; ACT Mid-range 20-26.

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

The Bachelor of Arts in Dance operates within the liberal arts curriculum at UNM and offers two concentrations within the major: Contemporary Dance, and Flamenco, and minor offered in World Dance.
University of New Mexico participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange tuition reduction for students from 15 western states. The WUE tuition rate is under $9,000 per year.
By the numbers: 57% overall acceptance rate; Mid-range SAT scores: CR 470-610, M 470-610; ACT Mid-range: 19-25.

Other colleges and universities with dance majors that make it possible to double major are Barnard College (NY), James Madison University (VA), Loyola Marymount University (CA), University of Oregon, Indiana Univeristy, Rutgers University (NJ), St. Olaf College (MN), Winthrop University (SC) and many others. A complete list of dance programs accredited by the National Association of Programs of Dance can be found here. Another good list can be found on the web, here, or pick up a copy of Creative Colleges: A Guide for Student Actors, Artists, Dancers, Musicians and Writers by Elaina Loveland.

Emily Standish is a partner in Portland, Oregon-based College Admission Coach LLC which helps students identify and gain admission to right-fit schools where they will thrive academically and personally. Contact me at [email protected].