The Dance Program at the University of Houston develops creative dance artists and educators through intensive training in technique, choreography, and academics. Offering BFA and BA degrees with a K–12 certification option, the program blends performance, pedagogy, and arts administration. Connected to Houston’s dynamic dance scene, students gain diverse experiences that prepare them to shape the future of dance.
DANCE
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN DANCE (BFA)
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance at the University of Houston offers an intensive, pre-professional program that fosters choreographic creativity, technical excellence, and academic depth. Students engage in rigorous dance training while exploring choreography, performance, production, pedagogy, history, technology, arts business, and interdisciplinary studies.
With a strong emphasis on both choreography and performance, the program balances artistic development with a comprehensive academic curriculum, including dance history, kinesiology/anatomy, somatic practices, pedagogy, and dance technology. Students gain hands-on experience through internships, mentorships, and collaborations with Houston’s vibrant dance community, creating valuable professional connections with dancers, choreographers, and performing arts organizations.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN DANCE (BA)
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Dance at the University of Houston offers a flexible
curriculum tailored to diverse career paths within and beyond dance, including physical
therapy, kinesiology, private studio teaching, and somatic practices like Pilates
and Feldenkrais. Students interested in dance education can pursue a minor in Education,
which prepares them for the Texas state teacher certification exam. As the only dance
program in Houston offering two degree tracks and K-12 teacher certification, UH provides
a unique pathway for students to excel in both artistic and academic pursuits.
TEACHER CERTIFICATION IN DANCE - SECONDARY EDUCATION
The University of Houston offers an approved program that prepares dance majors for the Texas state teaching certification exam in Dance, though the university itself does not issue the certification.
Students seeking certification must audition as a dance major and declare a minor in Education through the College of Education’s Teacher Education program by the end of their sophomore year. Education courses begin in the junior and senior years, following a structured four-phase sequence: Pre-Teaching, Developing-Teaching, Student Teaching 1, and Student Teaching 2. Upon completing the Dance major and meeting all Teacher Education Program requirements, students become eligible to take the Official State TExES 8-12 exam, allowing them to teach secondary school dance (grades 8-12) in Texas.
Currently, Texas does not offer a dance certification for PK-8, though draft standards have been proposed for future adoption.
For more information, visit the College of Education website.
DANCE MINOR
The minor in Dance allows students the opportunity to study dance technique and composition while following a major degree plan of their choice. Dance minors are eligible to perform in dance concerts held throughout the year and maintain active participation in all Dance Program events. Students interested in declaring Dance as a minor are required to audition for the Dance Program. Requirements for the Dance minor include:
- DANC 1301 - Dance Improvisation Credit Hours: 3
- DANC 1309 - Dance Production Credit Hours: 3
- DANC 2111 - Dance Production Run Crew Credit Hours: 1
- DANC 2305 - Dance Composition I Credit Hours: 3
- DANC 3302 - Intermediate Advanced Technique and Theory Credit Hours: 3
- DANC 3305 - Dance Composition II Credit Hours: 3
- DANC 3310 - Dance History I Credit Hours: 3
LEARN FROM THE BEST
- Teresa Chapman, Associate Professor and Dance Program Director
- Dr. M. Gabriela Estrada, Assistant Professor
- Key’Aira Lockett, Assistant Professor
- Travis Prokop, Assistant Professor
- Toni Valle, Professor of Practice