Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
About Our Program
The UNLV Department of Dance offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines rigorous technical training with creative exploration, scholarly study, and professional performance experience.
Concentrations
Where Technique Meets Artistic Expression
Performance and choreography students build a strong foundation in ballet, modern, and jazz while expanding their education through coursework in:
- Pilates
- Improvisation
- Choreography
- Composition
- Music theory
- Production
- Dance history
- Aesthetics
- Kinesiology
- Injury prevention
Through intensive studio training, creative research, and collaborative performance opportunities, students develop the versatility, discipline, and artistic perspective required of today's professional dance artists. Choreography and composition courses encourage students to create original work, refine their artistic voice, and engage with contemporary approaches to performance. An annual concert season featuring faculty, guest artists, and student works provides meaningful opportunities to apply classroom learning in a professional production environment.
Where Creative Vision Meets Design Excellence
The dance production design and management program prepares students to combine creative vision with technical expertise in the design and production of live performance. Students explore production design through coursework in lighting, scenic, costume, sound, and projection design, along with stage management, choreography, and production technologies. Hands-on production experiences provide opportunities to apply these skills using the tools, equipment, and collaborative processes of today's performing arts industry.
Students leave the program with the creative, technical, and collaborative skills needed to design, manage, and support live performance in dance, theatre, entertainment, and related creative industries.
Admission requires participation in the Department of Dance technique level placement class. Placement results determine the appropriate dance technique course level within the curriculum. Portfolios are encouraged, but not required, for students who wish to share examples of creative or technical production work.
Where Professional Practice Meets Academic Achievement
Designed for experienced dance professionals with years of professional practice, this degree pathway recognizes prior professional achievement while providing opportunities for continued artistic and academic growth. The flexible curriculum is designed to support working artists as they balance professional careers with degree completion.
Through mentorship, collaboration, and advanced study, students expand their creative practice, strengthen their leadership skills, and engage with contemporary approaches to performance, choreography, teaching, and research. The program prepares experienced professionals to advance their careers while contributing to the continued growth and evolution of the dance field.
Why Should You Study Dance at UNLV?
Learn from Working Professionals
The UNLV Department of Dance connects students with accomplished artists, choreographers, designers, educators, and industry professionals whose work spans regional, national, and international stages. Through artists-in-residence, guest choreographers, master classes, collaborative productions, and mentorship from faculty engaged in professional practice, students gain firsthand insight into the creative process while building meaningful professional relationships. These experiences enrich classroom learning, broaden artistic perspectives, and prepare students for successful careers in dance and the performing arts.
Explore the World Through Dance
Learning extends far beyond the studio at UNLV. Students have opportunities to travel regionally, nationally, and internationally through performances, festivals, conferences, artist residencies, workshops, and faculty-led educational experiences. From studying dance and culture abroad to attending professional conferences and engaging with artists in major creative centers, these experiences broaden artistic perspectives while fostering cultural awareness, professional connections, and lifelong learning.
The Department of Dance maintains partnerships that connect students with artists, institutions, and organizations around the world, creating opportunities to experience dance in diverse cultural and professional settings. In addition, the UNLV College of Fine Arts supports student travel by providing first-time passport assistance, helping make international learning experiences more accessible.
Expand Your Knowledge Through Our Guest Artist Series
A unique feature of the Department of Dance is its nationally-known guest artist program. This program affords dance students the opportunity to study technique, composition, and repertory with internationally known dance artists and educators.
Department Scholarships
The UNLV Department of Dance is committed to supporting student success through a variety of departmental scholarships and financial awards. All enrolled dance majors are automatically considered for departmental scholarship opportunities as part of the annual review process.
Scholarships recognize a range of achievements, including artistic excellence, academic achievement, professional potential, leadership, financial need, and continued growth within the program. Awards are made through an inclusive, nondiscriminatory review process that reflects the department's commitment to investing in student success throughout their academic and artistic development.
Ready to Become a Rebel?
Step 1: Apply to UNLV
All students who are accepted into UNLV can declare a dance major and will be placed into the pre-BFA program. There is no formal audition to be accepted into the Department of Dance as a pre-BFA program student.
Step 2: Apply to Your Concentration
Students admitted to UNLV may declare dance as their major and are initially enrolled in the pre-BFA program. No formal audition is required for admission to the Department of Dance at the pre-BFA level.