OUR MISSION 

The mission of the Dance Area at the University of Florida is to educate and train the next generation of artists, scholars, and teachers, enabling them to become agents of change in the field and catalysts for equity on local and global levels; to provide an artistic and intellectual foundation for its students within a climate of diversity, discovery, and risk; and to foster excellence in creative activity and scholarship. 

BFA in Dance 

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (124-credit degree program) is intended to prepare students for professional careers or graduate study in dance or allied fields. The program trains dancers and choreographers using an inclusive interpretation of contemporary dance practices as the organizing principle for development of today's artist. Dance is studied as a major performing art impacting a broad range of artistic, cultural, intellectual and social spheres. Successful degree candidates develop independent, interdisciplinary critical thought, and can articulate the power and agency of the arts over time and across cultures and perspectives. 

BA in Dance 

The Bachelor of Arts in Dance (120-credit degree program) is designed to give students a broad foundation in the field of dance. Students follow a course of study essential to the field of dance, including dance practice and performance, history, theory, literature, design, technology and related disciplines, all while enjoying sufficient flexibility to pursue other areas of study, including a minor or a major in another discipline. Successful degree candidates develop independent, interdisciplinary critical thought, and can articulate the power and agency of the arts over time and across cultures and perspectives. 

Dance Minor 

The dance minor is designed for students who wish to pursue the study of dance while maintaining a separate primary academic interest. The dance minor is a 17-credit program that has both core and elective components, providing both a solid general background and the opportunity to tailor the minor program to meet individual interests. This program is designed to bring the student in close contact with not only classroom expertise in dance practices, but also the enriching artistic and production aspects of dance.  

Dance for Non-Majors 

UF Dance courses are open and available to all eligible UF students. Students who wish to take dance courses for credit must take a placement exam to enroll in these courses. Students may be placed in these courses by attending the corresponding class the prior semester and asking the instructor for a placement audition or by attending the first class meeting of the term for which you wish to register and telling the instructor you are there to be placed. Students who are eligible to enroll in UF dance courses will be given an instructor permission slip which should be taken to Ali Nottke, SoTD Undergraduate Advisor, for course registration. Students may take dance courses without credit through the Supplemental Dance Program.  

Certificate in Dance in Medicine  

The dance area, in conjunction with the Center for the Arts in Healthcare Research and Education offers a Certificate in Dance in Medicine. The Certificate recognizes students' special competency and achievement in the use of movement to enhance health and healing.  Students who complete the requirements for the Certificate in Dance in Medicine leave the University of Florida with unique capabilities and experiences. This certificate, recognizing these special skills, can serve as a credential for developing complementary career options and will encourage healthcare facilities to expand or initiate arts programs. 

Dance in Medicine: ​https://arts.ufl.edu/academics/center-for-arts-in-medicine/programs/dance-in-medicine-1/ 

Performance Opportunities 

Students in the BFA and BA programs will have several opportunities to perform throughout the year. There are two faculty-led concerts where students learn repertoire from faculty or guest artists. Agbedidi, in the fall semester, focuses on African and African Diasporic dance while the Dance Faculty Concert, in the spring semester, presents works across all forms. Student directed works, such as the BFA Showcase, provide additional opportunities to perform. 

Guest Artists 

The Friday Masterclass series gives dance students  an opportunity to engage with various guest artists and program faculty teaching across a range of forms and styles. Past Friday Masterclass guest artists include Michelle N. Gibson (Afro-Modern), Leymis Bolanos Wilmot (ballet), Katherine Kramer (tap/jazz), Jean-Sebastien Duvilaire (Afro-Haitian), and Leonardo Brito (Contemporary) to name a few. The Friday Masterclass is built into students’ schedules as part of the Contemporary African and African Diasporic Dance Practices, Contemporary Ballet Practice, and Contemporary Dance Practice courses.  

Study Abroad Program 

The UF in Bahia program will examine the intersection between race, culture, and resistance in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. You will learn about different forms of Afro- Bahian cultural expression through the embodied experience of dance and about the impact of the region’s historical legacies. You will visit sites of Afro-Bahian resistance and engage with local organizations focused on grassroots mobilization, community revitalization, and empowerment. Throughout the program, you will interact with local students, guest lecturers, and performers. 

Dance Wellness Program 

The Dance Wellness Program, available to Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts students in the areas of Dance or Musical Theatre, provides the artists, performers, and dancers with the utmost quality health care. Through collaborative efforts of the healthcare team (including athletic trainers, physicians, nutritionists, and physical therapists), Dance and Theatre students receive holistic care including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for injuries and illnesses sustained as part of their degree program. The Dance Wellness program offers a positive and inclusive environment that promotes overall wellness for the student as both a performing artist and person.