Bachelor of Arts in Dance (6-12 Dance Certification)

Website: https://twu.edu/dance/undergraduate-dance-programs/

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance with an education minor leading to teacher certification is designed to prepare dance educators for the secondary schools and other arts education venues. The curriculum provides the dance major with a comprehensive foundation in the content areas that define dance as a discipline, as well as the skills necessary to facilitate an appreciation and understanding of dance as an art form and cultural phenomenon in others. Focusing on developing the teacher as a facilitator of learning rather than a dispenser of information, the curriculum integrates dance studies with the university general education requirements and a core of professional education courses.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

Degree Skills

  1. Effectively communicate movement theories, dance science concepts, and pedagogical ideas when observing, teaching, and practicing as a movement specialist and critically responding to others in such situations
  2. Engage in and develop critical thinking utilizing artistic and pedagogical models to create, problem-solve, implement and evaluate such projects as community dance experiences, performance and choreographic projects, presentations, and curriculum planning
  3. Develop interpersonal leadership skills by engaging in cooperative group learning while demonstrating effective social-emotional attributes when planning events and creating projects including dance outreach projects, dance and drill team companies, performance seasons, and fundraising activities

Teacher Certification Skills

  1. Appropriately explain the impact of effective planning and communication (within the chosen area of concentration) to relevant internal and external stakeholders in an education or community setting.
  2. Identify, select, and implement entry-level instructional plans when serving as an instructor in the school setting.
  3. Successfully manage organizational and student behavior when teaching in the school setting.
  4. Efficiently and accurately assess student progress and use data to develop and modify instruction for K-12 students.
  5. Work effectively and collaboratively with students and families from diverse backgrounds.

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

In addition to these general requirements, an audition for placement in dance practice classes is required. The placement audition for new students is held the week before classes begin in the fall semester. Students entering in the spring should schedule a placement audition with a dance faculty advisor or the Department Chair.  For additional information about auditions please visit the Division of Dance Placement Assessment Audition website.

Teacher Certification

Application Deadlines

There are three application periods per year (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Students must have their applications in by the deadline the semester before they intend to take ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003, EDUC 3482, or READ 4223 (EC-3 only).  (see schedule below).

Spring Application Deadlines*  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Summer)
  • May 1 - Deadline to apply for Summer admission
  • May 31 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement
Summer Application Deadlines  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Fall)
  • July 1 - Deadline to apply for Fall admission
  • July 31 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement
Fall Application Deadlines*  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Spring)
  • December 1 - Deadline to apply for Spring admission
  • December 21 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement

Guidelines

Please adhere to the following guidelines: 

  • We recommend preparing your application well in advance of the deadline. That way you will be able to identify and resolve any potential issues before the deadline date. 
  • If you intend to register early for ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003, EDUC 3482, or READ 4223 (EC-3 only) for the Summer or Fall semesters and have met all admission requirements, it is recommended that you apply to the EPP by December 1.
  • If you apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program while enrolled in EDUC 2003 or are taking coursework to increase your GPA to a 2.75, the Office of Educator Preparation Services will process your application. If the GPA requirement, along with all other admission requirements are met at the end of the semester, an admission decision will be made at that time.
  • No late applications will be accepted. If the deadline date falls on a weekend or a day that TWU is closed, applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on the next day that TWU is open after the deadline day.

Requirements

In addition to the general undergraduate admissions requirements, to obtain acceptance into the undergraduate Educator Preparation Program (and prior to taking ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003EDUC 3482, EDUC 4113EDUC 4243, READ 4223 (EC-3 only), and Clinical Student Teaching) students must have:

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.75 (includes all courses, whether posted to TWU transcript or used on a degree plan. Excludes developmental and repeated courses);
  • Demonstrated basic skills in reading, written communication, and mathematics by meeting the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative;

  • A minimum of 12 to 15 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought;

  • Completed EDUC 2003 with a C or higher;

  • Completed department application for admission to the Educator Preparation Program in Tk20;
  • Completed the Digital Literacy Pre-assessment;

  • Submitted a non-refundable Texas Education Agency Fee;

  • Completed a Commitment Contract acknowledging awareness and understanding of the Professional Dispositions Policy and Educators’ Code of Ethics;

  • Successfully completed a pre-admission departmental interview with an interview panel; and

  • Acknowledged and accepted admission to the Educator Preparation Program.

Please note:

  • All accepted students must maintain the admission requirements to remain in the TWU Education Preparation Program.
  • Admission requirements are determined by Texas Education Agency policies and are subject to change without notice.
  • Students seeking Bilingual certification must meet minimum proficiency in Spanish.
  • Students seeking Deaf/Hard of Hearing certification must meet minimum proficiency in sign.

All admission decisions are based on the successful completion of the above requirements. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation may affect certification. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Texas Education Agency. Any previous or current issues of academic dishonesty, disruptive behavior, or professional dispositions infractions at TWU, another university, or another Educator Preparation Program may result in denial of admission. Any decision may be appealed by contacting the Office of Educator Preparation Services at 940-898-2829.

Contact the Office of Educator Preparation Services (OEPS) at copeadvising@twu.edu or 940-898-2829 with any questions.

Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Requirements

  • Candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator. [19 TAC §227.1(b)(1)]
  • Candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching. [19 TAC §227.1(b)(2)]
  • The potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate. [19 TAC §227.1(d)(1)]
  • The right to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation from TEA. [19 TAC §227.1(d)(3)]

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 120   

Major: 52 SCH;  Required Minor: 26 SCH

Program Code: DANCE.BA.EDUC;   CIP Code: 50.0301.00

Special Requirements

Students must earn a B or higher in the following courses: DNCE 2143, DNCE 2183, DNCE 3292, DNCE 3393, DNCE 3813, DNCE 4233, and DNCE 4243.

Texas Core Curriculum

ENG 1013Composition I3
ENG 1023Composition II3
Mathematics3
Life & Physical Sciences6
Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
Creative Arts3
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-18653
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government3
POLS 2023Texas Government3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
CAO: Women's Studies3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
Total SCHs42

Dance/Movement Practices

Students are placed in modern and ballet through a placement audition and technique exams each semester. The student must achieve the minimum competency level, two semesters of Level III in modern dance and two semesters of Level II in ballet. If a student is placed in the upper levels, they must still complete the required number of technique credits. The ballet/modern technique requirement is fulfilled by meeting the minimum competency level and presenting the required number of credits. Students will register for one or more technique practice courses per semester.  With Chair approval, students may take an additional Summer Dance Intensive to substitute for one Technique Practice credit. Summer Dance Intensives cannot be used to satisfy the Dance Practice competency requirements.

Somatic Practices

DNCE 1171Bartenieff Fundamentals of Movement1
DNCE 2183Introduction to Movement Analysis and Description3
DNCE 3193Experiential Anatomy for Dancers3
Total SCHs7

Technique Practice

Modern Dance Practice (based on placement audition)6
Elementary Modern Dance I
Elementary Modern Dance II
Intermediate Modern Dance I
Intermediate Modern Dance II
Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance I
Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance II
Advanced Modern Dance I
Advanced Modern Dance II
Ballet Practice (based on placement audition)4
Elementary Ballet I
Elementary Ballet II
Intermediate Ballet I
Intermediate Ballet II
Intermediate/Advanced Ballet I
Intermediate/Advanced Ballet II
Urban & Global Dance Practice2
Beginning Urban and Global Dance Practices
Urban and Global Dance Practices
Summer Dance Intensive3
Summer Dance Intensive
Elective (selected from any of the above courses)1
Total SCHs16

Dancemaking

Choreography Courses7
Improvisation
Dance Composition
Choreographic Designs
Concert Choreography
Performance Courses 7
Beginning Dance Performance (may be taken twice)
Intermediate Dance Performance (may be taken twice)
Advanced Dance Performance (may be taken twice)
Careers in Dance
Total SCHs14

Dance Theory

Dance and Identity9
Dance and Globalization
History of Dance
Contemporary Trends and Issues in Choreography and Performance
Pedagogical Communities6
Theories of Teaching Dance Technique
Children's Dance
Total SCHs15

Professional Education Studies

Admission to the Educator Preparation Program is required. Students must apply for admission into the Educator Preparation Program prior to enrolling in EDUC 3003/EDUC 3482EDUC 4113/EDUC 4243, and EDUC 4946. Information is available from the Office of Educator Preparation Services.

Pedagogical and Professional Responsibility
EDUC 2003Schools and Society3
EDUC 3003Learning Theory and Development3
EDUC 3482Teaching Diverse Learners Through Technology Integration2
EDUC 4113Design and Implementation of Instruction and Assessment3
EDUC 4243Classroom Environment and Management3
EDUC 4946Clinical Student Teaching6
Related Studies in Education
READ 3013Literacy and Learning across the Curriculum3
EDSP 3203Learners with Exceptionalities3
Total SCHs26

Notes:

  1. EDUC 2003 may be taken at a community college. Check with the Office of Educator Preparation Services to make sure the course has the equivalent number.
  2. EDUC 4113 and EDUC 4243 must be taken during the same semester.
 

Recommended Plan of study

First Year
FallTCCNSCHs
DNCE 1101Beginning Dance Performance DANC 11511
DNCE 1111Elementary Ballet I 1
DNCE 1151Elementary Modern Dance I 1
DNCE 1191Improvisation DANC 12011
DNCE 2171Beginning Urban and Global Dance Practices DANC 22471
ENG 1013Composition I ENGL 13013
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-1865 HIST 13013
UNIV 1231Learning Frameworks: First-Year Seminar EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200, EDUC 13001
Wellness CAO Core2
 SCHs 14
SpringTCCN
DNCE 1101Beginning Dance Performance DANC 11511
DNCE 1121Elementary Ballet II 1
DNCE 1161Elementary Modern Dance II 1
DNCE 1171Bartenieff Fundamentals of Movement 1
DNCE 2202Dance Composition DANC 13012
ENG 1023Composition II ENGL 13023
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present HIST 13023
Mathematics Core3
 SCHs 15
Second Year
FallTCCN
DNCE 2101Intermediate Dance Performance DANC 21511
DNCE 2111Intermediate Ballet I 1
DNCE 2143Dance and Globalization DANC 13053
DNCE 2151Intermediate Modern Dance I 1
DNCE 2183Introduction to Movement Analysis and Description 3
DNCE 3292Choreographic Designs 2
POLS 2013U.S. National Government GOVT 23053
Life/Physical Science Core3
 SCHs 17
SpringTCCN
DNCE 2101Intermediate Dance Performance DANC 21511
DNCE 2121Intermediate Ballet II 1
DNCE 2161Intermediate Modern Dance II 1
EDUC 2003Schools and Society EDUC 13013
WS 2013Gender and Social Change: An Introduction to Multicultural-Women's Studies 3
POLS 2023Texas Government GOVT 23063
Creative Arts Core3
Life/Physical Science Core3
 SCHs 18
Summer 1TCCN
DNCE 3913Summer Dance Intensive 3
 SCHs 3
Third Year
FallTCCN
DNCE 3151Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance I 1
DNCE 3193Experiential Anatomy for Dancers 3
DNCE 3393History of Dance 3
READ 3013Literacy and Learning across the Curriculum 3
EDSP 3203Learners with Exceptionalities 3
Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core3
 SCHs 16
SpringTCCN
DNCE 3161Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance II 1
DNCE 3191Urban and Global Dance Practices 1
DNCE 3813Theories of Teaching Dance Technique 3
DNCE 4393Contemporary Trends and Issues in Choreography and Performance 3
EDUC 3003Learning Theory and Development 3
EDUC 3482Teaching Diverse Learners Through Technology Integration 2
DNCE 4233Careers in Dance 3
 SCHs 16
Fourth Year
FallTCCN
DNCE 3151Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance I 1
DNCE 4182Concert Choreography 2
DNCE 4243Children's Dance 3
EDUC 4113Design and Implementation of Instruction and Assessment 3
EDUC 4243Classroom Environment and Management 3
Social/Behavioral Science Core3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
EDUC 4946Clinical Student Teaching 6
 SCHs 6
 Total SCHs:  120