Cost & earnings at University of Massachusetts Amherst What students borrow here, and what they go on to earn
The Bachelor’s in Dance at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a studio-centred undergraduate degree that combines intensive technique training, choreography, and academic study of dance. It suits students aiming for professional practice or further study in performance, choreography, dance education and related arts careers.
The programme balances daily practical training with coursework in choreography, dance history, performance studies and somatic practices. Core studio work typically includes technique classes (ballet, modern/contemporary, and other contemporary vocabularies), improvisation, partnering and repertory. Choreography modules progress from composition fundamentals to advanced creation labs where students develop solo and ensemble work for public performance.
Academic components cover dance history and criticism, anatomy for dancers, pedagogy and movement analysis. Electives and cross-disciplinary options allow study with faculty in theatre, music, media arts and cognitive science to support interests in dance-science, dance film, interdisciplinary collaboration and arts management.
Applicants must hold a secondary-school qualification equivalent to U.S. high school graduation and submit academic transcripts. Admission to the dance major commonly requires an audition — either live on campus, at a regional audition, or via a recorded video — demonstrating technical facility, musicality and potential for development. Some applicants may be required to submit a short choreography sample as part of the portfolio/audition process.
Typical application materials include a completed university application, transcripts, a personal statement outlining dance experience and goals, and letters of recommendation (often from dance teachers or academic referees). International applicants must meet English-language proficiency requirements. Specific audition requirements and evaluation criteria are provided by the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Graduates move into a wide range of professions across the performing arts and beyond. Common career paths include company dancer or choreographer, freelance performer, repertory and touring artist, and dance educator at community and K–12 levels. Many graduates pursue postgraduate training (MFA, MA) for careers in university-level teaching, choreography and research.
Other professional directions include arts administration and producing, engagement work in community or health settings (dance therapy adjuncts or community arts facilitators), movement coaching for film and theatre, and roles in fitness and wellness. The programme’s combination of practical training, critical study and production experience also prepares students for interdisciplinary careers that connect dance with media, research, and educational outreach.
UMass Amherst offers an intensive studio environment within a large public research university, so students benefit from focused dance training alongside broad interdisciplinary resources. The Department of Theatre and Dance provides performance opportunities in university venues, access to visiting choreographers and guest artists, and chances to collaborate with faculty across arts and sciences.
Students have access to dedicated studios, technical support for productions, and extracurricular ensembles that extend learning beyond class. The university’s location in the Pioneer Valley also places students within an active regional arts community, offering internships, collaborative projects and performance networks that support professional development and career pathways in dance and the wider cultural sector.
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