Take your craft and creative vision to the next level with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance from Dean College.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts is the most rigorous undergraduate course of study for aspiring professional dancers. At the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance, you’ll train under veteran performers, directors and choreographers who will prepare you for your big break.

A professional dance education immerses you not only in the physical artistry of dance in all its forms but also in the history, theory and power of creative expression. For more than 50 years, Dean has been a nationally recognized educational center for dance. Our dedicated faculty and staff foster creativity, broaden perspectives, expand knowledge, develop proficiency and prepare you for excellence in the field of dance.

Our conservatory-level training in ballet, jazz, tap, modern and related techniques, combined with targeted allied studies, will help you develop the skill and artistry necessary for a successful career as a performer or choreographer.

Choose from two specializations within the BFA program:

In the choreography track, you’ll engage with each step of the choreographic process, and learn how to develop and communicate your own artistic vision. The performance track will hone your strength and discipline through conservatory-style training in the studio and on the stage.

Audition and Program Requirements 

Dean College dance professor instructing a class of dancers

Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance Faculty

Meet our hard-working faculty who are both subject-matter experts and dance professionals.

Beyond the Classroom

Dean College Dance logo In addition to countless creative and performance opportunities on campus, you’ll get invaluable industry experience.
  • Complete a for-credit internship with a local or regional dance company or choreographer.
  • Participate in highly selective performances at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Joyce Theater, Ailey Citigroup Theater and American College Dance Festival (ACDF), where Dean College is ranked in the top 30 schools nationally.
  • The Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance has earned a reputation for producing truly gifted and hardworking young dancers. The BFA program takes the proud tradition of Dean College dance to the next level.
  • Our dance majors have interned at Jacob’s Pillow, Lincoln Center, Battery Dance Company, Broadway Dance Center, Rhee Gold, Boston Ballet and the National Dance Education Organization.

And when you graduate, you’ll be a highly trained performer, choreographer and dancer ready to share your art with the world. Our alumni have found successful careers with dance and performing arts companies such as Universal Studios, Disney Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Urbanity Dance Company, Boston Ballet and so much more.

Uniquely Dean

Dean College dancers onstage during a performance. Gain valuable, real-world performance experience through the unique programming that the Dean College Dance BFA program has to offer.
  • Begin performing and set out to create a body of work in your first semester.
  • Experience live music in class from talented staff musicians. Some of our accompanists are also composers who create original music for practice and for performance.
  • Receive rigorous conservatory-style dance training enriched by a well-rounded liberal arts education.
  • Participate in master classes with dancers from Boston Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Broadway, Ballet West, The Martha Graham Dance Company, Complexions Dance company and many more. Recent master class guest artists have included Gabrielle Hamilton, award-winning Broadway cast member of the reimagined musical Oklahoma! and its national touring company, and Chris Rice-Thomson, a member of the touring company of Hamilton.
  • Receive highly specialized injury prevention and care services, provided by a full-time certified and licensed athletic trainer who has extensive experience in working with dancers.
  • Complete a for-credit internship with a professional dance company or choreographer.
  • Find professional opportunities through Dean College’s extensive dance alumni network.
  • Dean College has been recognized as the #4 Best Dance School (Undergraduate) in Massachusetts as part of the 2022 PLEXUSS Global Rankings.

Space to Learn and Perform

As a Dance major at Dean, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take the stage in our first-class performance and teaching venues, study on-stage and behind-the-scenes techniques and receive support from our talented faculty and staff. Explore the photo gallery below to see the spaces you’ll learn and perform in.

Program Requirements 

The Dean College Dance BFA program offers concentrations in Choreography and Performance.

Prospective students are required to complete an audition for the Dance BFA program as well as an application for admission. For Fall 2022, we are offering in person, virtual and video auditions. Additional off-campus audition opportunities are also available. Learn more about the audition process, requirements and dates.

Choreography

Course Number Course Title Credits
DAN 111 The Discipline of Dance 2
DAN 112 The Profession of Dance 2
DAN 182 Rhythmic Analysis 3
DAN 201 Dance History l 3
DAN 204 Dance Composition l 3
DAN 206 Dance Pedagogy l 3
DAN 220 The Business of the Biz 1
DAN 301 Dance History ll 3
DAN 402 Senior Project 3
DAN 131 Dance Improvisation l 1
DAN 231 Dance Improvisation ll 1
DAN X4X Tap 1
DAN X5X Ballet Technique 8
DAN X6X Jazz Technique 4
DAN X7X Modern Technique 8
DAN X24 Rehearsal and Performance 8
DCA 100 Campus Connections: Making the Transition 1
DCA 110 Career Connections: Developing Your Brand 1
DCA 200 Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan 1
DCA 300 The Internship Experience 3
DCA 350 Future Connections: Launching Your Career 3
DAN 304 Dance Composition ll 3
DAN 483 Dance Compsotion lll 3
DAN 381 Laban Movement Analysis 3
DAN 385 Film Survey in Dance 3
AMGT 112 Theatre, Dance, and Performing Arts Management 3
THA 132 Production and Design ll: Lighting 2
Total Credits 80

Course Number Course Title Credits
ENG 111 Composition l 3
ENG 112 Composition ll 3
SPC 101 Communication Fundamentals 3
MATH ELECTIVE Core Mathematics Elective 3
BIO 175 Anatomy Essentials 4
ARTS ELECTIVE Core Distribution Arts Elective 3
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE Core Distribution Humanities Elective 3
NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATH ELECTIVE Core Distribution Natural Sciences and Mathematics Elective 3
SOCIAL SCIENCES ELECTIVE Core Distribution Social Sciences Elective 3
COM 327 Applied Professional Communication 3
UDLA ELE Upper-Division Liberal Arts Electives 9
Total Credits 40

Course Number Course Title Credits
ELE Choreography Track Dance and Theatre Electives 8
Total Credits 8

* Subject to change
** Based on the Dean College Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Performance

Course Number Course Title Credits
DAN 111 The Discipline of Dance 2
DAN 112 The Profession of Dance 2
DAN 182 Rhythmic Analysis 3
DAN 201 Dance History l 3
DAN 204 Dance Composition l 3
DAN 206 Dance Pedagogy l 3
DAN 220 The Business of the Biz 1
DAN 301 Dance History ll 3
DAN 402 Senior Project 3
DAN 131 Dance Improvisation l 1
DAN 231 Dance Improvisation ll 1
DAN X4X Tap 1
DAN X5X Ballet Technique 8
DAN X6X Jazz Technique 4
DAN X7X Modern Technique 8
DAN X24 Rehearsal and Performance 8
DCA 100 Campus Connections: Making the Transition 1
DCA 110 Career Connections: Developing Your Brand 1
DCA 200 Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan 1
DCA 300 The Internship Experience 3
DCA 350 Future Connections: Launching Your Career 3
THA 315 Acting Lab 1
ELE Performance Track Dance and Theatre Electives 9
Total Credits 73

Course Number Course Title Credits
ENG 111 Composition l 3
ENG 112 Composition ll 3
SPC 101 Communication Fundamentals 3
MATH ELECTIVE Core Mathematics Elective 3
BIO 175 Anatomy Essentials 4
ARTS ELECTIVE Core Distribution Arts Elective 3
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE Core Distribution Humanities Elective 3
NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATH ELECTIVE Core Distribution Natural Sciences and Mathematics Elective 3
SOCIAL SCIENCES ELECTIVE Core Distribution Social Sciences Elective 3
COM 327 Applied Professional Communication 3
UDLA ELE Upper-Division Liberal Arts Electives 9
Total Credits 40

Course Number Course Title Credits
DAN TECHNIQUE ELE Dance Technique Courses (Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop) 15
Total Credits 15

* Subject to change
** Based on the Dean College Academic Catalog 2023-2024

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