Bachelor's in Dance Education Degree for Secondary Education
Dance Education Degree: Opening Doors to Teaching Possibilities
Teach the next generation the art of dance with your Bachelor of Arts in Dance for Secondary Education.1 Offered by the College of Arts and Media in conjunction with the College of Education, this program can prepare you to design, maintain and grow a dance program in middle and high schools. It includes extensive coursework in different dance forms, as well as educational training, such as classroom management. From dance history to choreography, you will be immersed in all aspects of dance. You will have the opportunity to study competencies in teaching various forms of dance effectively and designing a curriculum that is historically grounded, developmentally appropriate, inquiry-oriented, culturally responsive and based upon state and national standards.
This dance education major leads to initial teacher licensure. It requires student teaching experience in preparation for a career in dance education. In addition to classroom studies, you will be required to participate in the Ethington Dance Ensemble, which includes four main concerts throughout the year. This allows you to experience the entire creative process, from planning and rehearsals to the live performance, from both onstage and offstage perspectives. This bachelor’s degree in dance education also requires you to participate in the Elementary Dance Tour, which brings exciting multi-media productions to local schools.
Dance Education Course Topics
Our bachelor’s in dance for secondary education curriculum combines observational and practice-based dance experiences. It can prepare you to position yourself to be both a dance practitioner and a dance educator.
Courses covered in this dance education degree examine a range of topics, including:
- Somatic practices in dance, including body awareness, alignment, injury prevention and movement observation
- Skills, movement techniques and artistic expression specific to a range of dance styles, including ballet, jazz and modern dance
- Dance improvisation skills in solos, duets and groups
- Traditional and contemporary approaches of dance education, with a look at effective teaching practices
- The use of technology in dance education to facilitate inquiry, collaboration and interaction in the classroom
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Learn Skills to Become a Middle or High School Dance Teacher
Our holistic approach to teaching dance balances theory with practice, with the aim of producing graduates who are prepared to work toward their future career. After completing the full-time practicum/field experience of this program, you may be prepared to teach in a range of middle or high school settings – public or private, rural or urban, large or small. Students may also work toward seeking educational dance opportunities available in community organizations and performing arts institutions.
The BA in dance education degree can prepare you to pursue endorsements in additional subject areas. Make the most of your passion for dance and shape your future as a dance education major.
Take Secondary Dance Education Courses From an Institutionally Accredited University
When contemplating a bachelor's degree in dance education, your choice of university should prioritize proper institutional accreditation. GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, underscoring the university's dedication to providing quality education. GCU takes pride in its mission to empower students through dedicated instruction and guidance.
This dance education degree will teach you to connect with your future students and tackle challenges in the classroom. It was designed using National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) standards and all courses within this degree program are directly aligned with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) principles.
Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Education FAQs
Before you decide whether to pursue a dance education degree, it can be helpful to learn more about the profession and your potential career path. The following frequently asked questions and answers can provide a starting point for your career-related research.
Pursue your passion for dance and work toward your dream of becoming a middle or high school dance educator by pursuing a dance education major at GCU. Apply today for enrollment.
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, January 10). How to become a high school teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, September 8). How to become a dancer or choreographer. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University’s General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-103, University Success: 4
- UNV-303, University Success: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4
- COM-263, Elements of Intercultural Communication: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments. Students are required to take 3 credits of college mathematics or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, cross-cultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- PSY-102, General Psychology: 4
- INT-244, World Religions: 4
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the techniques of the classical ballet, including alignment, positions, port de bras, and allegro combinations. It includes fundamental concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to ballet.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the style, technique, and rhythmic structures of jazz dance with emphasis on increasing movement capabilities and personal expression. It includes fundamental concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to jazz.
Course Description
Required every semester for dance majors except student teaching, this course is designed to prepare the student for a dance concert production in a theatrical setting. Through the rehearsal process and culminating performances, students gain dance proficiency by working in a range of styles and choreographic approaches. Students audition choreography and may be cast as dancers, understudies, stage managers, and production assistants. This course is open to non-majors. Prerequisite: Audition.
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare the student for the GCU Elementary Dance Tour, a multi-media production composed through collaboration by faculty and students. Topics include choreography, dramatic dialogue, elementary teaching methods, technical production, and artistic expression in a range of different dance styles. Participation is determined by audition.
Course Description
This course is a study of somatic practices in dance. Students explore and discuss issues related to one body practice. Topics include body awareness, alignment, injury prevention, and movement observation.
Course Description
This technique course is designed to increase skill in classical ballet. It includes intermediate concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to ballet. Prerequisite: DAN-100.
Course Description
This course is a refinement of beginning skills, with an emphasis on development of technical abilities and performance qualities. It focuses on intermediate concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to jazz. Prerequisite: DAN-101.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the movement techniques of modern dance. It includes fundamental concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to modern dance.
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare the student for the GCU Elementary Dance Tour, a multi-media production composed through collaboration by faculty and students. Topics include choreography, dramatic dialogue, elementary teaching methods, technical production, and artistic expression in a range of different dance styles. Participation is determined by audition.
Course Description
This course is designed to assist teacher candidates in understanding theories and principles of psychology that describe the growth and development of early adolescents and adolescents, including cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas. Candidates build foundational knowledge for constructing learning opportunities and environments that support individual students’ development, acquisition of knowledge and skills, and motivation. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
This course is a survey of Arizona history and government, as well as American government. It meets the teacher certification requirement for Arizona government and American government.
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to the elements of technical theater specific to a dance production and to prepare students to organize a production in a variety of media. The course covers the fundamentals of lighting and costume design; sound/music/video recording and other multimedia devices; and basic elements of production management, such as contracts, labor issues, budgets, facility rentals, marketing and fundraising.
Course Description
This course focuses on creating and developing movement through dance improvisation in solos, duets, and groups. Contact improvisation and partnering, the uses of improvisation in choreography and performance, and the creative process are explored. Students are guided toward finding their own artistic voice through movement, discussion, and writing.
Course Description
This course is a refinement of beginning skills with an emphasis on development of technical abilities and performance qualities. It includes intermediate concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to modern dance. Prerequisite: DAN-120.
Course Description
Teacher candidates are introduced to the educational needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families, including the definitions, characteristics, prevalence, causes and educational approaches to these disabilities and disorders. Teacher candidates will identify preventative and responsive practices related to cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional patterns of learning and development for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Emphasis is placed on identifying appropriate times to differentiate, modify, or accommodate to support student learning. Teacher candidates also survey the special education process involving the application of various laws and regulations. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
In this writing-intensive course, teacher candidates will explore multicultural education by engaging in research, communication, and ethical decision-making, focusing on developing educators' skills in creating equitable and inclusive learning environments. Through analysis of evidence and virtuous practice, the course will examine the critical role of educators as advocates for all students, empowering participants to address disparities and promote equitable opportunities for academic success. With a specific focus on the principles of multicultural education, teacher candidates will be encouraged to reflect on the influence of their own worldviews and perceptions. Emphasizing the concept of imago Dei, which sees every individual as made in the image of God, this course aims to foster culturally responsive classrooms that welcome diversity in all forms. Teacher candidates will explore strategies to effectively bridge the gaps between various diversities and academic achievement, to foster human flourishing within the educational sphere. The course blends content with practical application, highlighting the educator's role as an advocate for all students and promoting equitable academic opportunities.
Course Description
This course is designed to increase skill in classical ballet technique. It includes advanced concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to ballet. Prerequisite: DAN-250.
Course Description
This course is designed to increase skill in jazz technique. It includes advanced concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to jazz. Prerequisite: DAN-260.
Course Description
This course focuses on the elements of time, space, and energy as related to choreographic design. It is a study of these primary dance elements and their intrinsic role in developing diverse understandings of dance. The course considers design in the related fields of music and art as relevant to choreographic design and communication in dance. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Students needing field experience hours should take DAN-385N.
Course Description
This course focuses on the exercises and activities necessary to develop strength, flexibility, endurance, and technical dance skill. It includes advanced concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, and artistic expression specific to modern dance. Prerequisite: DAN-270.
Course Description
This writing intensive course focuses on the anatomical and mechanical principles that relate to human movement; the analysis, management, and prevention of dance injuries; the analysis of body types and technical ability; and the means by which to improve dance ability. Aspects of teaching safe technique classes and alternative methods will also be explored.
Course Description
In this course, teacher candidates differentiate instruction based on knowledge of students, learning theory, and curricular goals. Major emphasis is given to planning standards-based instructional objectives and lessons, sequencing, and assessing learning, utilizing formal and informal assessment strategies that address individual students' needs. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required. Prerequisite: SEC-202.
Course Description
This course is a study of and experience in various approaches to the choreographic process as related to artistic concepts and to the philosophy of art as espoused by various traditional and contemporary dance artists and as developed by the individual student. Prerequisite: DAN-385N or DAN-375.
Course Description
This course explores the innovative intersection of dance and technology using a variety of digital tools and media. Students will learn ways to integrate technology to enhance dance creation, performance, and promotion. Key topics include copyright law, audio editing and design, videography in dance, applying technology to project design, technology for personal branding, and social media.
Course Description
This course addresses alignment for dancers, using Pilates mat exercises. The course addresses how breath , strength, and coordination may facilitate greater ease and efficiency in movement.
Course Description
Teacher candidates explore research-based instructional strategies for delivering differentiated instruction to promote reading and writing proficiency during content area instruction. Language and literacy development is examined to inform instruction, assessment, intervention, and remediation practices to support readers of varying ages and ability levels, including students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. Using this foundational knowledge, candidates will select, adapt, and use research-based instructional strategies and interventions with attention focused on literacy in academic curricula to advance learning for adolescent students. Practicum/field experience hours: 20. Fingerprint clearance required. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-202.
Course Description
In this course, teacher candidates examine the fundamentals of the legal, historical, and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI) and other instructional programs and approaches for teaching English learners. Theoretical principles of language acquisition and the role of culture in learning are examined. Methods of assessment are identified and analyzed. Teacher candidates identify strategies to promote English language development and improve student achievement as they plan, deliver, and evaluate standards-based instruction for English learners. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
This course will prepare students for success as creative professionals. Students will research their industry, develop their personal brand, and establish business and entrepreneurial practices.
Course Description
This course encompasses traditional and contemporary approaches of dance education and examines effective teaching practices in settings including elementary and secondary schools, private dance organizations, and community-based settings. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: DAN-355.
Course Description
This course is a supervised experience in choreographing a dance for public performance arranged through a cooperative effort of the student and supervisor. Prerequisite: DAN-390.
Course Description
In this course, teacher candidates study methods and materials related to teaching secondary-grade 6-12 students. Emphasis is placed on analyzing data to evaluate and modify instruction. Candidates look at methodologies that encourage problem-solving, active participation, meeting diverse students’ needs, and professional collaboration. Focus is also placed on the practical applications of using all available data, including behavioral data, to drive instructional decisions. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required. Prerequisite: SEC-356.
Course Description
This course explores an integrative arts model using methods and assessments for dance in secondary curriculum.
Course Description
This course is a study of methods for developing and conducting the dance program in middle schools and high schools. Methods, materials, topics, and issues in dance education are used to prepare dance education majors to enter the teaching profession. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: DAN-390.
Course Description
This course prepares teacher candidates to create and manage positive, productive secondary-grade 6-12 classroom environments with diverse students. Candidates develop a comprehensive understanding of the learning and behavior principles that underlie effective classroom management and student engagement in order to design and promote an effective classroom management program. Focus is placed on building a trusting relationship and creating a safe and equitable learning environment. Practicum/field experience hours: 20. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-356.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the style, technique, and foundation of Hip Hop movement and culture. Students will explore Hip Hop styles with emphasis on Freestyle development, cultural understanding, and the Five Elements of Hip Hop. Development of proficiency includes fundamental concepts, skills, movement vocabulary, artistic expression, theory and practice specific to Hip Hop culture. Students will explore Hip Hop dance through historical and social views as well as exposure to some Street Style dances. This course is available for non-majors.
Course Description
Teacher candidates are engaged in the student teaching experience that includes practical classroom experiences, research, analysis, and teaching to develop a Student Teaching Evaluation of Performance (STEP). The teacher candidate will have a GCU course instructor, a GCU faculty supervisor, and be placed in an approved school with a certified cooperating teacher/mentor. Fingerprint clearance required.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Join Grand Canyon University’s vibrant and growing campus community, with daytime classes designed for traditional students. Immerse yourself in a full undergraduate experience, complete with curriculum designed within the context of our Christian worldview.