Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: HFA

 (Revised Spring 2018)  

How to Explore / Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

Any that fit the student’s schedule; recommendation is roughly two per semester. Some General Education courses also satisfy dance core requirements.

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses 

The following fall courses are open to first-year student Dance majors only:

  • DANCE 114, Modern Dance II
  • DANCE 121, Ballet II
  • DANCE 131, Jazz II
  • DANCE 192D, Improvisation and Movement Exploration

Some first-year students may be assigned to different technique courses by the department. Specific assignments and other materials will be given to first-year student Dance majors by the summer advisor.

If beginning in the spring semester, first-year students should sign up for:

  • DANCE 114, Modern Dance II
  • DANCE 121, Ballet II
  • DANCE 131, Jazz II
  • DANCE 151, Elementary Composition

How to Declare the Major

STUDENTS MUST AUDITION FOR ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM TO BECOME A DANCE MAJOR. Registration forms are available in the office in 11 Totman and online at the Department of Music & Dance website at www.umass.edu/dance

The B.F.A. program prepares students for careers as performing and creative artists, while the B.A. is a liberal arts program that allows students to pursue another area of focus, such as dance education, dance science, historical dance studies, or dance technology. The B.A. is recommended for those students interested in pursuing a double major.

Consult with the Department for appropriate placement in Modern, Jazz, Ballet (levels I-IV), and Improvisation/Composition. Placement into advanced level technique classes (V, VI) is possible only by Five College Advanced Placement audition classes held in both Fall and Spring

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # of credits required: 78 (B.F.A.)

Dance majors must be advised by the Chief Undergraduate Advisor for the Music and Dance Department. Questions regarding specifics of the dance major requirements are answered by an assigned dance faculty advisor.

NOTE: Language proficiency through the 240 (fourth-semester) level is required for the B.A. but not for the B.F.A.

Is there a minor? If so, what are the requirements?
There is no Dance minor.

For further information, contact:
Thomas Vacanti
Dance Program Director
11 Totman; 575-6064
tvacanti@dance.umass.edu

or

Cathy Maclutsky
Administrative Assistant
11 Totman; 545-6064
maclutsky@dance.umass.edu