Texas A&M University College of Performance,
Visualization & Fine Arts
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University College of Performance,
Visualization & Fine Arts
Undergraduate Major

Dance Science Major

Bachelor of Science

Since 2010, the mission of the Dance program has been to educate students in the art and science of dance. Through courses in anatomy, conditioning, safe dance practice, psychological wellness and technique courses focused on proper biomechanics, our program looks at the whole dancer. This holistic approach allows our students to have careers in the medical field; educate dancers from a body mechanics and psychological wellness perspective; and elongate careers of professional dancers. We offer a personalized approach to dance training through hands-on, field-based experiences including dance science research, Pilates and technical production.

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College students work with skeletal models in a dance science class.

Degree Overview

The Dance Science degree focuses on dance research, anatomy, nutrition, conditioning, injury prevention and care, and biomechanical principles within dance technique. Additional coursework includes:

  • Pilates
  • Dance Pedagogy

  • Safe Practices in Teaching Dance
  • Dance Production
  • Composition
  • Special Populations in Dance
  • Mental Health for Performance Artists
  • Dance techniques such as ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, tap, improvisation and partnering.

The degree plan also offers 18 hours of electives in which students can focus on professional school requirements, teacher training and/or additional dance technique courses.

The four-year Dance Science undergraduate degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours.

Degree Plans

Subject to Change

For more details about each course, view the listings in the Texas A&M Course Catalog.

Texas A&M Course Catalog

Undergraduate Auditions

Admission to the undergraduate dance programs requires an audition. Audition slots are limited for each audition date and are based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Audition Process

Customize Your Degree

Students enrolled in the B.S. in Dance Science have 18 hours of elective in the degree to tailor the degree toward their ultimate career goals.

Professional School

Students interested in the medical field can use the 18 hours toward prerequisites for professional school. This is ideal for students interested in physical therapy or medicine with the intention of specializing in dancers. The Dance Science major allows the student to see the integration of dance and science while also pursuing the prerequisites for professional school. For more information on required prerequisites for professional school, visit the professional school advising website.

Teaching Dance

Students interested in earning their K–12 teacher certification can do so through the Aggie TEACH program and the Secondary Education (SEED) minor. Currently, there are two SEED minors Dance Science students can take: one in dance and another in life sciences. Students who seek the SEED minor in life sciences will be able to sit for both the dance and the life science teacher certification exams.

Minor classes are taken in addition to the 18 hours of electives built into the B.S. in Dance Science degree plan. This allows the 6-hour student teaching requirement to be placed as electives, which provides the opportunity for financial aid. The remaining 12 hours can be filled with more dance-specific education classes, additional dance technique, choreography, and/or dance production courses, or whatever you choose to supplement your education.

Students interested in teaching dance also can work with the PATHS program at Texas A&M. This program works with adults with disabilities on using dance to teach social, emotional and communication skills. Dance program students who assist in this program learn valuable skills to work with this special population and how dance can be used to inform and teach viable life skills.

Professional Dancing

Students interested in dancing professionally can use the 18 hours for additional dance technique classes such as ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop and tap. Courses in choreography; dance production; dance improvisation; gender-neutral partnering; Pilates; conditioning; and other dance courses are also valuable for the student wanting to be a professional dancer. The Dance Science degree not only allows the student to train in a variety of dance genres but also enables the dancer to learn more about the health and well-being of the dancer to elongate their careers. This degree also provides opportunities for professional dancers to supplement their work by becoming personal trainers, Pilates instructors, dance teachers and movement specialists who work with special populations in dance.

Careers

A degree in Dance Science gives the dancer career options beyond the performer. Dance scientists are professionals who are employed by dance companies and dance training facilities throughout the world to devise effective training programs as well as advise dancers regarding nutrition and injury prevention/care. Graduates of the Texas A&M Dance program have gone on to careers in:

  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Doctor Practices
  • Biomechanics and Kinesiology
  • Sports Science
  • Dance Studio and Fitness Club ownership
  • K-12 Science and Dance Teaching
  • Technical Theatre
  • Movement Therapy (work with people recovering from trauma, people with disabilities, Parkinson’s patients, etc.)
  • Professional Dance (ballet and modern dance companies as well as Broadway, music videos and professional dance teams such as the Phoenix Suns and the Houston Texans)

Related Minors

All Minors

Choreography

Dance-making and producing dance is the focus of this minor, which benefits students who want to work as choreographers, artistic directors or work as dance directors in schools. This minor has courses in music, choreography and dance production. Students produce and choreograph their own concert in a final capstone project.

Dance Performance

Students who want to pursue a professional career in dance will benefit from this minor, as will students who want to improve their overall dance training. The minor includes interdisciplinary opportunities by examining the role of technology in dance through our Performance in Virtual and Augmented Reality course. The physical nature of dance is also emphasized, including a conditioning course to maximize performance and minimize injury. Additional courses include dance technique classes in ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, tap, improvisation and partnering.

AI in the Arts

This minor is designed to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence integration in artistic practice, equipping students with the skills to incorporate AI into visual arts, dance, theatre, interactive media and music.

Research Opportunities

Applied Research in Dance Wellness

Students in the Dance Science program undergo an extensive screening process known as the Dancer Wellness Project, which applies scientific research to improve dance technique.

Through this screening, students and faculty work closely with the graduate students and faculty in the Athletic Training Program to assess the dancer’s strengths and weaknesses. Through the screening process, students have access to their individual profiles, including their strengths, weaknesses and specific exercises (with video instructions) to help improve their overall technique.

Faculty use the information about the overall structure of a student’s body to safely work on improving the student’s technique. Students are assisted by dance faculty and the athletic training staff to understand their results; develop a conditioning program; and are also taught how to administer some of these assessments as dance educators. Students within the Dance Science program are re-evaluated every year in order to evaluate their progress.

Undergraduate Research and Creative Works Opportunities

Students within the program can participate in research by becoming research assistants on faculty-led projects; by conducting research projects in a senior capstone; or through the undergraduate LAUNCH program. Students in this program conduct a yearlong research project obtaining research approval through the university and ending in a publication that students can submit for national publication. Dance program students have investigated the impact of a strengthening versus stretching program on hamstring flexibility; cervical spine alignment in dancers; HIIT vs plyometric training to increase jump height; and strengthening versus stretching to improve anterior tilt. Students interested in choreography have created work that looks at the emotional impact of war on its citizens; social media and devices on our attention span during a live performance; and the integration of technology on dance performance and the audience’s experience. Past students have presented their research at state, regional, national and international conferences, and have been published in peer-reviewed dance/dance science journals.

Arts in Health

The Institute of Applied Creativity, which is part of the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts, houses the Arts in Health program. Through this program, students can share their art form with our local community, including the elderly in assisted living centers and students in middle and high schools. Students in the Arts in Health program learn how to build a workshop that helps community members improve cognitive function and coordination, reduce stress and boost self-esteem. The Arts in Health program uses art disciplines across the college including dance, music, theatre, visual arts and technology. For more information about the Arts in Health program visit the Institute for Applied Creativity page.

Performance

Students have to opportunity to work with guest artists in master classes, watch performances and learn repertoire. This gives students a unique opportunity to work with a variety of professionals in the field while building their resumes. Guest artists within the program often include dance scientists, accomplished choreographers, renowned teachers and professional dancers.

Dance faculty often receive grants for other performances throughout the university in collaboration with faculty from other programs. Students are also given the opportunity to attend national and international festivals and conferences.

Students in our Dance Science program have multiple opportunities to perform, including:

  • Perpetual Motion, an annual Dance program concert
  • Student Choreography Showcases
  • Senior and graduate concerts
  • Student organization concerts
  • Performances throughout the local community and during campus-wide events
  • State, regional and national/international festivals and conferences

FAQ About the Degree