Bachelor Degree in Dance

Two missouri BA dance ballerinas at SEMO as school for dance take a bow in full costume

BA On-Campus Main Campus

DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

LOCATION

Main Campus - Cape

COLLEGE

Arts & Media

DEPARTMENT

Theatre & Dance

APPLY NOW

Dance with purpose. Perform with confidence.

Turn your passion for dance into a versatile career. At SEMO, the Bachelor of Arts in Dance combines technical training, artistic exploration, and professional performance opportunities to prepare you for careers in performance, choreography, arts administration, education, and graduate study. You'll work alongside experienced faculty, perform on stage, and build the skills to thrive in the performing arts.

Why Study Dance at SEMO?

Perform Early and Often

Build advanced technique and performance skills across a variety of dance forms.
Explore a wide range of dance repertory and styles.
Gain experience in dance production and other professional aspects of the field.

Train Across Styles

Develop a broad understanding of dance within a liberal arts education.
Study the body and kinesiology as they apply to dance performance and training.
Explore dance through historical, cultural, and stylistic perspectives.

Create and Lead

Develop choreographic skills while cultivating your own creative voice.
Build foundational knowledge and skills in dance pedagogy.
Develop the professional work ethic and healthy habits expected in the dance industry.

Prepare for Multiple Career Paths

Strengthen creative problem-solving skills that translate across careers.
Graduate with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in performance, choreography, teaching, arts organizations, and other areas of the dance profession.

What Can You Do with a BA in Dance?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.

Internship and Employment Opportunities of Recent BA in Dance Graduates

Jacob’s Pillow
St. Louis Bombshells
Summer Theatre of New Canaan
Fulton Theatre, NYC
Chicago Dance Crash
Royal Caribbean International
Carnival Cruise Line
American Dance Festival
Coupé Theatre Studio
Broadway Dance Center
Chicago Repertory Ballet
Big Muddy Dance Company
Disney Internships
Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre
Giordano Dance Chicago
StarQuest Dance Competition
Streb Extreme Action

Request Info

We'd love to help you learn more about SEMO! Tell us how we can get in touch.

Bachelor in Dance Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your Bachelor degree in dance.

View the Degree Map

BA Dance Outcomes & Careers

$30/hr

 Professional Dancer

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median wage for a professional dancer is $30.30 per hour.
 $62k

Choreographer

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the mean annual wage for a choreographer is $62,020.
$53k

Dance Instructor

The average annual salary for a Self-Enrichment Teacher is $53,330 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Knowledge to Fuel Fearless Futures

Degree Map

As a BA Dance major, study a wide variety of dance repertory and dance styles and build relationships with professional dancers, choreographers, and dance companies through master classes, residences, internships, intensives, and dance festivals. Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours for this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 47 hours in dance. No minor is required.

Degree Map

52-hour major – No minor required

Students must maintain a 2.5 gpa in the major. Completion of a minimum of 60 hours outside of the DA prefix is required.

Required Courses:

DA280 Movement and Body Analysis (3)
DA282 Movement Improvisation (3)
DA380 Choreography I (3)
DA392 Dance in World Cultures (3)
DA480 Careers in Dance (3)
DA485 Choreography II (3)
DA490 Western Dance History (3)
TH105 Rehearsal &Production I (1)
TH111 Introduction to Theatre Design and Technology (3)
TH305 Rehearsal/Production II (1 credit x 5 semesters)

Select 16 hours from no less than 4 areas of dance technique: *

Ballet area:

DA211 Ballet I (2)
DA216 Ballet Pointe I (2)
DA311 Ballet II (2)
DA316 Ballet Pointe II (2)
DA411 Ballet III (2)

Commercial area:

DA130 Ballroom Dance I (2)
DA241 Broadway Dance I (2)
DA341 Broadway Dance II (2)
DA371 Heels & Burlesque (1)
DA372 Jumps & Turns (1)
DA373 Partnering & Lifts (2)
DA431 Broadway Dance III (2)
DA441 Dance for TV/Film (2)

Contemporary area:

DA322 Contemporary Dance I (2)
DA422 Contemporary Dance II (2)
DA423 Contemporary Dance III (2)

Hip Hop and Street area:

DA228 Hip Hop & Street Styles I (2)
DA328 Hip Hop & Street Styles II (2)
DA428 Hip Hop & Street Styles III (2)

Jazz area:

DA226 Jazz Dance I (2)
DA326 Jazz Dance II (2)
DA426 Jazz Dance III (2)

Tap area:

DA236 Tap Dance I (2)
DA336 Tap Dance II (2)
DA436 Tap Dance III (2)

Select 6 hours from:

BS113 Anatomy & Physiology (4)
DA140 Conditioning for Dance (1)
DA301 Dance Musicianship (3)
DA391 Topics in Global Dance (3)
DA430 Principles of Teaching Dance (3)
TH101 Acting for Non-Majors (3)
TH122 Class Voice for Musical Theatre I (3)
TH123 Class Voice for Musical Theatre II (3)
TH124 Class Voice for Dancers (1)
TH218 Acting I (3)
TH219 Auditioning I (1)
TH251 Draping and Patterning for Theatre (3)
TH275 Stage Management (3)
TH350 Stage Lighting I (3)
TH351 Costume Design I (3)

*5 hours must 300-400 level

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
Written Communication – 6 hours
Oral Communication – 3 hours
Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
Mathematics – 3 hours
Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
Civics examination

First Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

UI100 (1)
EN100 (3)
DA280 (3)
Dance Technique Class (2)
Dance Technique Class (2)
TH105 (1)
General Education (3)

Spring Semester (15 Hours)

DA282 (3)
TH111 (3)
TH305 (1)
Dance Technique Class (2)
General Education (3)
General Education (3)

Second Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

TH305 (1)
Dance Technique Class (2)
General Education (3)
General Education (3)
Elective (3)
Elective (3)

Spring Semester (15 Hours)

DA380 (3)
TH305 (3)
TH/DA/BS Elective (3)
Dance Technique Class (2)
General Education (3)
Elective (3)

Third Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

DA392 (3)
TH305 (1)
Dance Technique Class (2)
General Education (3)
General Education (3)
Elective (3)

Spring Semester (16 Hours)

DA485 (3)
TH305 (1)
General Education (3)
General Education (3)
General Education (3)
Elective (3)

Fourth Year

Fall Semester (14 Hours)

DA480 (3)
Dance Technique Class (2)
General Education (3)
Elective (3)
Elective (3)

Spring Semester (15 hours)

DA490 (3)
TH/DA/BS Elective (3)
Dance Technique Class (2)
General Education (3)
Elective (3)
Elective (3)

The mission of the Dance Program at Southeast Missouri State University is to train students to become resourceful contemporary dance artists by offering solid and vigorous studio techniques, challenging and vital classroom experiences, and numerous performance opportunities. Committed to Artistic and Academic excellence, the faculty advocates and supports the cultivation of professional dancers through guided analysis, exploration, and practice in the development of expertise within the many components of the dance discipline.

What will it cost?

BA Dance Program

Dance Facilities

SEMO has exceptional BA in Dance facilities that provide excellent training and performance opportunities for our students at the River Campus. All BA in Dance studios are equipped with sprung floors, a Marley dance surface, up-to-date sound systems, upright pianos, computers, and televisions for use in studio dance courses and have a key card system allowing students 24-hour access. Take a look at our fantastic dance facilities!
Auditions

Students interested in pursuing the BA in Dance are strongly encouraged to audition for dance technique-level placement to ensure proper coursework and progress within the degree program. The audition gives the faculty a comprehensive view of your technical and creative abilities, training background, and your goals and interests within the dance discipline. Learn more about our dance audition process!
Training

Our BA Dance program provides diversity of dance training emphasizing numerous styles of dance technique including aerial, ballet, hip-hop, modern, jazz, pointe, and tap. Additionally, we give students the ability to explore and develop in other areas such as classical and contemporary partnering, advanced improvisation, and choreography. Find out more information on our training program for our BA Dance students.
Experiential Learning

Our BA Dance students have access to many opportunities to advance their career and show off their talents in multiple on and off-campus performances, master classes, and choreographic residencies with guest artists, and events like the American College Dance Association Annual Conference! Get the best experience for your future career, right here at SEMO!

Experiential Learning

Practice and hone skills for your theatre and dance career through on-stage productions, playwriting showcases like the Lanford Wilson Festival, and the Fault Line Film Festival. You can also earn certifications, attend conferences, and potentially perform in NYC.

Learn More