dancers on stage, leaning back while reaching up to the ceiling
re-membering, 2019
Several dancers perform on a darkly lit stage with red and blue lighting
Open Space, 2020
A person touches a man's face, and the man is shrouded in a blue haze
[UN]WRAP: Dances That Don't Look Like Dances, 2019
Four dancers in long skirts
Open Space, 2020
A BFA student dances on stage
Catapult, 2019

Our Bachelor of Fine Arts program is designed to meet the needs of highly talented and motivated students interested in preparing for a professional dance career in performance and/or choreography while in an academic setting. 

Degree Requirements

Whether in class, in the cypher, in the community and on the stage, our BFA students are:

  • Deep thinkers and expressive movers
  • Curious, imaginative, and innovative creators
  • Passionate and self-driven leaders
  • Mature, committed, and courageous learners
  • Change-makers

Please refer to the CU Catalog to view the list of required courses and electives.

In addition to specified coursework, the BFA student must meet the following requirements:

  • Show original choreographic work each semester in Open Space, FRESH or Dance Class Showings 
  • Present a concert in conjunction with other senior BFAs in the spring of their senior year 
  • By December of their junior year, the student must have formed a committee of two faculty members who will evaluate their concert. The student and First Reader (lead faculty member) of the committee will complete a BFA Concert Form that is given to the Director of Dance Production by January 31 junior year. The Director of Dance Production will help you plan and oversee the production aspects of the show
  • Maintain a 3.2 GPA in required dance and theatre courses. If a student drops below the required GPA by the time of their concert proposal submission (January 31), they will be removed from the BFA and their concert proposal will no longer be considered

General Admission Information

  • All incoming students enter the program as BA students.
  • Auditions for the BFA program will happen in the spring semester of the first year.
  • There is a placement process for specific courses during the first week of classes each semester. 
  • All incoming dance majors will be considered for the Dance Program Freshman Scholarships through an application process following the CU general admission application process. 

Admission for Incoming Students

All incoming students, which includes high school and transfer applicants, must complete the following to apply:

  • Apply for general admission to CU Boulder and indicate BA in Dance as your major
  • Apply for Dance Program Freshman Scholarships
    • details will be emailed to you following your CU general application
  • Transfer Students: Submit the BFA in Dance Application for Transfer Students by Jan. 15th

For general admission to CU Boulder, please visit either the First-Year Admissions page or the Transfer Students page for information. 

Admission for Current CU Students

  • Please be in conversation with your dance faculty mentor about the BFA admission process for current students

Contact the Undergraduate Director of Dance with questions.

Note: all BFA students must be enrolled in or already completed DNCE 3033 or DNCE 3043 by their sophomore year to be on track to graduate in four years.

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