Dec 30, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2024-2025 
    
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USC Catalogue 2024-2025

Dance (BFA)

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The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance is a four-year professional degree designed to prepare the artist, innovator and entrepreneur. A diverse array of electives, in combination with a rigorous core curriculum, provides students with ample opportunity to explore their artistic and intellectual passions and develop a strong personal vision of dance.

Intensive studio instruction is in three core areas: ballet, hip hop and contemporary styles. Emphasis is on performance and composition, while also building a solid foundation in dance history, science, conditioning, new media, entrepreneurship and critical theory. Upperclassmen continue to work on technique as well as performance and/or composition, while also pursuing individual interests.

In the junior and senior years, students pursue one of four concentrations: Dance Performance, Choreography for Stage and Screen, Dance and Music or Design Your Own. They are mentored by faculty and assisted by academic advisers in selecting elective courses both within and outside of USC Kaufman that support their personal and professional goals.

Emphasis in the final year of study is placed on the development of a professional quality project in the areas of performance, choreography, music, media, scholarship or entrepreneurship.

Dance Performance Concentration

The Dance Performance concentration is designed for students who are interested in careers as professional dancers or in other performance mediums. Emphasis is placed on providing students with the skills to succeed in a variety of entertainment positions. Students work with artists and scholars in the field, learning essential tools needed for a successful career in dance performance.

Dance and Music Concentration

The Dance and Music concentration provides students with a unique perspective on dance by combining dance training with substantial studies in music. Courses in vocal arts, music theory or instrumental training, for example, equip students interested in choreography or dance performance with the knowledge to explore careers in the music and larger entertainment industry.

Choreography for Stage and Screen Concentration

The Choreography for Stage and Cinematic Arts concentration is designed to guide students who are interested in the field of dance for the stage, motion pictures, television, digital media and animation. Students are mentored in experimental types of dance media, both as individual performers and in collaboration with other visual and performing artists.

Design Your Own Concentration

The Design Your Own concentration allows students to pursue a truly custom program of study by combining hand-picked elective courses from across the university with dance electives. This is the only concentration for which students must formally apply at the end of sophomore year. The application requires students to demonstrate how the concentration is different from a major and minor combination and to provide preliminary ideas about how their senior project brings together their hand-picked courses with their dance studies.

General Requirements

Candidates must submit the USC Undergraduate Application and USC Kaufman Portfolio. The Portfolio includes a headshot, action shot, written short answer, dance résumé, one-minute video response, and two video auditions showing contrasting solos. Final candidates are selected to audition and interview in person. Specific audition requirements, along with other entrance requirements, are reviewed on an annual basis and published under the Apply section at kaufman.usc.edu.

Curriculum Requirements

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance requires a total of 132 units.

All students in the dance program are required to complete the university's General Education and Writing requirements.

Within USC Kaufman, students will receive foundational training and insight through the core curriculum. In addition, they must complete a minimum of 22 electives toward their concentration. 

The BFA degree's 132 unit requirement includes at least 16 general elective units. Students are encouraged to use these units in order to pursue a minor outside of USC Kaufman.

Core Requirements (66 units)

Lower Division

Upper Division

Dance Performance Concentration (minimum 22 units)

Required Electives (14 units)

Additional Electives (minimum 8 units)

In addition to DANC courses, students in this concentration are able to take up to 8 units in the USC Thornton School of Music, USC School of Cinematic Arts and/or USC School of Dramatic Arts. More details are below.

Choreography for Stage and Screen Concentration (minimum 22 units)

Required Electives (8 units)

Additional Electives (minimum 14 units)

In addition to DANC courses, students in this concentration are able to take up to 8 units in the USC School of Cinematic Arts, USC Thornton School of Music and/or USC School of Dramatic Arts. More details are below.

Dance and Music Concentration (minimum 22 units)

Required Electives (8 units)

Students pursuing this concentration must complete a combined 8 units of DANC 320L  (taken up to two times), DANC 350  (taken up to four times), DANC 420L  (taken up to two times) and DANC 410  (taken up to two times). Extra units from this course list will be counted as Additional Electives towards the BFA in Dance.

Additional Electives (minimum 14 units)

In addition to DANC courses, students in this concentration are able to take up to 8 units in the USC Thornton School of Music, USC School of Cinematic Arts and/or USC School of Dramatic Arts. More details are below.

Design Your Own Concentration (minimum 22 units)

Required Electives (8 units)

Students pursuing this concentration must complete a combined 8 units of DANC 320L  (taken up to two times), DANC 350  (taken up to four times), DANC 420L  (taken up to two times) and DANC 410  (taken up to two times). Extra units from this course list will be counted as Additional Electives towards the BFA in Dance.

Additional Electives (minimum 14 units)

In addition to DANC courses, students in this concentration are able to take up to 10 units across one or several USC departments offering undergraduate courses. These courses must be approved within USC Kaufman by the academic adviser. Students must also meet any eligibility requirements (i.e. prerequisites) and/or receive approval from the school or department when needed.

Total Units Required: 132

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