Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Dance B.F.A., with Ballet Concentration


TOTAL DEGREE HOURS: 120
Plans of Study

The B.F.A. in Dance (Ballet or Modern concentrations) offers professional preparation, which includes extensive study in Studio Technique, Choreographic Studies, and Dance Studies. The focus of this degree is the development of dancers who will enter the professional world of dance/arts as performers and choreographers. Beyond the expectations for continuing opportunities for performance, students selecting the B.F.A. will develop and present solo and group senior choreographic projects.

Specialized Admissions - Dance B.F.A.


THIS MAJOR HAS ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS AS LISTED IN THIS SECTION.

The B.F.A. is a specialized admissions program. Students must participate in a selective admissions procedure. At the end of their third semester, students will be assessed by Dance faculty to determine eligibility for continuing in the BFA Dance Major. Dancers must continue to take technique courses throughout their degree program.

University Admissions - College of Design, Art, and Performance


Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following links:

Progression Requirements - Dance B.F.A.


Critiques

  1. All students will be evaluated periodically by the faculty and critiqued each semester and will participate in progress conferences with the faculty.
  2. If a student evidences deficiency in some area or in continuing progress toward the degree, the student may be placed on probation within the Dance program.
  3. Failure to make satisfactory progress after being placed on probation shall constitute grounds for program recommendation to drop and discontinue the major.

Additional Standards

In addition to meeting the specific requirements and standards discussed above, the student and advisor will periodically evaluate the student’s general progress. Students are required to meet with the Academic Advisor in Dance each semester. An unsatisfactory rating in one or more of the following areas could place the student on probation. A student on probation is given a specific amount of time to achieve a satisfactory rating before being dropped from the major program. The criteria include:

  1. Appropriate academic progress.
  2. Adequate technical skills and adaptability.
  3. B average in concentration core studio technique classes.
  4. Physical conditioning that includes: nutrition, flexibility, strength, and healthful weight management necessary to facilitate safe technical and artistic expression.
  5. Class probation and program probation require review, i.e., reinstatement in good standing or recommendation to drop major.

Required Courses: (86 credit hours)


State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Dance B.F.A. (24 credit hours)


Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program.

Transfer students should complete the following prerequisite courses at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program.

Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.

Although credit or elective credit toward the major will be given for these courses, placement in upper-level technique classes will continue to be based on individual proficiency. Other technique courses in other styles of dance may be accepted toward the major on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the University. Transfer dance credits must be evaluated by faculty and the Dance advisor at time of entrance.

Any 24 credit hours from the following 30 hours will be accepted toward the major:

  • DAA X610 Dance Composition/Choreography - 2 credit hours
  • DAA X611 Dance Composition/Choreography - 2 credit hours
  • DAA X680 Performance I * - 1 credit hour
  • DAA X681 Performance II * - 1 credit hour
  • DAA X200-X209 Dance, Emphasis on Activity ** - 8 credit hours
  • DAA X100-X109 Dance, Emphasis on Activity *** - 8 credit hours
  • DAN X610 Music and Dance (Two course sequence) OR DAN X600 (single course) - 3 credit hours
  • DAN X611 OR DAN X601 - 3 credit hours

* Or any lower-level Repertory course in the X400-X499 series up to 4 credit hours.

** Up to 8 credit hours of any lower-level Ballet Technique courses within the X200-X209 taxonomy.

*** Up to 8 credit hours of any lower-level Modern Technique courses within the X100-X109 taxonomy.

State Mathematics Pathway – Dance B.F.A. (6 Credit Hours)


The Dance B.F.A. uses the Mathematical Thinking in Context Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:

Dance B.F.A. Major (Restricted) Electives


Students complete the Dance B.F.A. program of study and one of the following two concentrations:

Ballet Concentration: 13 courses; 50 credit hours


All Dance BFA Majors with a Ballet Concentration must take these courses:

Concentration Dance Studies Requirement: 3 courses; 7 credit hours


Concentration Creative Studio Requirement: 1 course; 2 credit hours


Concentration Studio Technique Requirement: 7 courses; 34 credit hours


  • Dance BFA majors with a Ballet Concentration are required to achieve level 4 in ballet technique and level 2 in modern technique. All dance majors are required to register for at least one technique course each semester (fall and spring) they are enrolled as a dance major at USF, even after they have met the appropriate level requirement. Progression to the required level assumes that the student will need to complete 2 semesters of level 1 and level 2 in both techniques.

    All incoming first-year majors* start in Level 1 in the Modern course sequence and take the following to fulfill the Ballet concentration requirements:

  • Credit(s): 3
  • Credit(s): 3
  •  

    In the Ballet course sequence, all incoming students begin based on their audition placement. If placed in Level 1, students take the following in progression each year to fulfill the Ballet concentration requirements:

     

  • Credit(s): 3
  • Credit(s): 1-3
  • Credit(s): 1-3
  • Credit(s): 1-3
  • Credit(s): 1
  •  

    Reminder, dance majors students continue to take at least one technique course each semester. Variable credit hours for studio technique courses are available once the degree concentration requirement has been met. Please check in with your academic advisor with any questions.
     

    *Incoming transfers may be placed at a higher level within the modern technique sequence.

Concentration Performance Requirement: 1 course; 4 credit hours


Dance BFA majors with a Ballet concentration are required to register for at least four performance credits. As a part of the curriculum within the USF Dance Department, majors are expected to participate in the co-curricular Dance Concert(s). Majors may be in more than this number of works throughout their time at USF, but each major must enroll in at least the required number of credits. Please check in with your academic advisor with any questions.

Concentration Electives: 1 course; 3 credit hours


Students are encouraged to take additional 2000-, 3000- or 4000-level Dance and Theatre courses to fulfill the remaining general elective requirement for the concentration.

Please consult Catalog for full listing of Dance and Theatre course titles and consult Student Self-Service for current selected topics courses.

Additional Information - Dance B.F.A.


GPA Requirements


Major GPA (All USF courses which are applied to major requirements): 2.0
General Education GPA (All USF courses which are applied to General Education requirements): 2.0
USF GPA: 2.0
Overall GPA: 2.0

Grading Requirements


A student must receive a C grade or better in required prerequisite courses and major course for Dance majors.

Residency Requirement


Department and College of Design, Art, and Performance Major Academic Residency Requirement - 50% of major must be completed at USF

USF Academic Residency Requirement - 30 of the last 60 hours earned must be from USF

Research Opportunities


Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914  course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research (HIPUR) is able to assist with further inquiries.

Accreditation Information - Dance B.A./B.F.A.


The University of South Florida is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).

Advising Information - School of Theatre and Dance


USF students schedule advising appointments online through USF Archivum Platform.  Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester to discuss course planning, degree progression, and career preparation. 

 

For questions, TheatreAndDance@usf.edu