Admission / Program Requirements
University Admission
In addition to Department of Dance admission as a major, a student must apply to and be accepted by Florida State University. It is crucial to proceed with university admission as quickly as possible. It is risky to wait to apply for FSU admission until after auditioning for the Dance Department. The university application deadline for fall admission has been as early as January. Please apply on-line at admissions.fsu.edu/undergradapp/ or contact the University Admissions Office for more information (850/644-3420).

FSU Undergraduate Admissions

Audition
A formal audition is required for admission as a dance major. Students must register for one of the scheduled auditions held during each year. Audition slots fill quickly, so do not delay.
Audition Information

Placement and Proficiency
On entrance into the program, all students are assigned an appropriate placement, or technique level, in ballet and in contemporary dance. At the end of a studio technique course, students must demonstrate the necessary technical progress to enroll at the next level; otherwise, they re-enroll at the same level until ready to advance. To graduate, the student must achieve Ballet III level and Contemporary Dance II level, or Contemporary Dance III level and Ballet II level and the level III proficiency must be achieved by one semester prior to graduation.

Performance and Production
BFA candidates are required to participate in one department sponsored performance each year. Attendance at weekly dance forums (a series of lectures and films throughout the academic year) and these performances fulfill the requirements for Dance Ensemble, DAA 1680–4685.

The required courses DAN 3504 and DAN 3584 include classes and assigned responsibilities in technical production.

Liberal Studies
All students working toward a degree in dance must meet the university’s liberal studies
requirements.

Curriculum Requirements
Please note:
- Course names, numbers, and requirements are subject to change.
- For transfer students, the Department of Dance determines the applicability of previous coursework to the requirements.
- Semester hours for courses are shown in parentheses.

I. Dance Technique (30 hours minimum; courses are repeatable)
DAA 3108 (3) – Contemporary Dance I
DAA 3208 (2) – Ballet I
DAA 3109 (3) – Contemporary Dance II
DAA 3209 (2) – Ballet II
DAA 4110 (3) – Contemporary Dance III
DAA 4210 (2) – Ballet III
Both ballet and contemporary dance are taken four days each week throughout enrollment as a dance major, with two exceptions:
1. During summer session, the student may choose to take either ballet or contemporary dance.
2. During one term of the senior year, if the student has achieved and maintained the required proficiency levels, he/she may choose to take either ballet or contemporary dance.

II. Composition and Repertory (10 hours minimum)
Required sequence:
1. DAA 2610 (2) – Dance Composition: Exploration of basic rhythmic, spatial, and dynamic materials in the designing of dance movements; improvisation and exploration of various ideological and aesthetic sources.
2. DAN 2611 (3) * – Music and Choreography. Prerequisite: DAN 2610. Analysis of various elements of music with relationship to dance performance and/or choreography.  Study of choreographic forms and structures. Consent of instructor required.
3. DAA 3654 (2) – Choreography-Repertory: The study and practice of selected works of dance repertory. Repeatable for a maximum credit of 16 semester hours. Consent of instructor required.
4. DAA 3614 (3) – Dance Composition: Study of choreographic forms and structures. Consent of instructor required. Prerequisite: DAN 2611.

III. Other Required Dance Courses (37 hours)
DAN 2500 (1) – Introduction to Design
DAN 2610 (3) – Rhythmic Analysis
DAN 2100 (3) – Introduction to the Dance Profession
DAN 3754 (2) – Dance Conditioning
DAE 3384 (3) – Methods and Materials in Dance Education
DAN 3504 (2) – Dance Production
DAN 3584 (1) – Dance Theatre Lab
DAN 3445 (5) – Labanotation
DAN 3144, 3145, 3146 (3, 3, 3) – History and Philosophy of Dance
DAN 3714 (3) – Movement Theory and Body Alignment
DAA 1680–4685 (1) – Dance Ensemble. Repeatable; minimum 1 hour credit required.
DAA 4418 (3) – Survey of Dance Technologies

IV. Liberal Studies (36 hours)
Three hours of the History and Philosophy of Dance courses may be applied to the Liberal Studies requirements.

V. Elective Area of Concentration (15 hours)
Students are required to investigate possibilities for elective courses which relate to their areas of interest, deepen their understanding of dance, and provide a significant investigation into one or more related areas of study which may impact their particular contribution to the field of dance upon graduation. Individual areas of concentration are planned by the student with approval of the student’s faculty advisor. Areas of concentration may include, but are not limited to: dance production, dance technology, dance conditioning, repertory and performance, choreography, dance history and writing, and dance analysis.

Summary of Curriculum Requirements
I. Dance Technique ~30 semester hours
II. Composition and Repertory ~10 semester hours
III. Other Required Dance Courses ~37 semester hours
IV. Liberal Studies ~36 semester hours
V. Electives ~15 semester hours
Total: 128 semester hours

BFA Application Checklist

• Submit application for admission to Florida State University.
• Submit Dance Major Audition Form by deadline given on BFA audition information sheet.
  Needed information/materials for form 
  - High school grade point average and SAT or ACT scores
  - Full-length photograph in practice clothes (for identification)
• Receive confirmation letter for audition registration from Department of Dance before attending audition. Bring the letter to the audition. (If you have not received a letter one week before an audition date, contact us by calling us at 850.644.1023)
• Prepare 1–2 minute solo for audition.
• Obtain appropriate dancewear for audition.

For more information, contact:
Stephanie Farmer
Academic Services Coordinator
P.O. Box 3062120
Florida State University
Tallahassee FL 32306-2120
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850.644.1023