Dance Major

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Curriculum

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance curriculum includes a minimum of 128 credit hours to include:

• A minimum of 85 credits in dance (with a minimum of 34 credits of technical studies)
• 21 credits of performance or choreography studies
• 30 credits of dance studies (history, theory, body sciences, and career preparation)

Information for incoming freshman and transfer students:

• 4-Year Plan for Dance Freshman - Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (pdf)
• 4-Year Plan for Dance Transfers - Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (pdf)

Bachelor of Arts in Dance Curriculum

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Dance curriculum includes a minimum of 124 credit hours to include:

• A minimum of 58 credits in dance (with a minimum of 22 credits of technical studies)
• 7 credits of performance or choreography studies
• 29 credits of dance studies (history, theory, body sciences, and career preparation)

Information for incoming freshman and transfer students:

• 4-Year Plan for Dance Freshman - Bachelor of Arts in Dance (pdf)
• 4-Year Plan for Dance Transfer - Bachelor of Arts in Dance (pdf)

Minor in Dance Curriculum

The Minor in Dance requires the completion of 24 credit hours:

• DAN 147: Orientation to Dance (1 hour)
• DAN 170: Improvisation I (1 hour)
• A minimum of 18 credits of dance technique classes
• Four credits of dance theory

Doxa (in Greek: "Glory") is Belhaven's student-led dance organization. Its mission is to encourage dance students to further develop and use their art form for the glory of God. Each year, the group spponsors activities such as outreach, creative worship, prayer ministries, improvisation sessions, master classes, and workshops.

Students also attend regional and national dance festivals and anually produce the Doxa Emerging Choreographers Concert.

The Belhaven Dance Department offers a variety of performances that are open to the public and showcase dance students. These events include original choreographic works created by dance faculty members, seasoned guest artists, and students studying dance composition.

Dance students can join the National Honor Society for Dance Art (NHSDA). This group fosters unique networking opportunities and offers recognitions that will follow the student throughout their career.

Our dance program is one of the only programs in the nation with a full-time athletic trainer. This trainer focuses on injury care and prevention as part of our commitment to support the health of each dancer’s body, mind, and spirit.

Belhaven dance students — both majors and minors — can pursue a certification in Pilates, a form of exercise and body conditioning developed by Joseph Pilates. This certification, offered through Balanced Body, allows students to teach Pilates in group or one-on-one settings.

To be considered for admission, students must first apply and be accepted to the university. Students must then complete the audition process. Upcoming audition dates include:

• Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Students may also be able to audition through a video performance. For more information on this option, please contact the Dance Department at 601-965-1400 or by email at dance@belhaven.edu.

High school students ages 15 and up may apply for Belhaven’s dance apprentice program. Students in this program take university-level dance classes for college credit. The program is limited to six positions — selected through an interview and audition process — per academic year.