Radford University

What you'll study

The programme balances sustained technique classes with creative, academic and production elements. Core studio work typically includes ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz and improvisation, with opportunities to study additional forms such as tap, partnering and world dance styles. Choreography and composition courses guide students through choreographic process, repertory study and collaborative creation.

Complementing studio training are academic modules in dance history, criticism and aesthetics; movement analysis and anatomy for dancers; music for dancers; and pedagogy. Students gain practical experience in performance production, lighting and stagecraft through involvement in departmental concerts and touring ensembles. Coursework is rounded out by professional development topics—audition technique, portfolio preparation and career planning—and a culminating capstone or senior project that showcases individual creative or research focus.

The degree is offered within a liberal-arts framework, so students also complete general education requirements and may take electives across the university to broaden their intellectual and artistic perspectives. Opportunities exist for cross-disciplinary collaboration with theatre, music and education programmes, and for community-engaged projects and internships.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised secondary school qualification or equivalent. Admission to the dance programme normally requires a successful audition to assess technical ability, performance quality and creative potential; the university accepts both in-person and recorded/video auditions. Applicants should submit academic transcripts and a personal statement outlining their dance experience and goals. Letters of recommendation from teachers or choreographers are typically welcomed.

Because the programme includes academic coursework, applicants should be prepared for a balance of studio and classroom study. Those with prior conservatory training, pre-professional experience or college-level work in dance will be competitive; students new to dance but showing strong potential may also be considered when they demonstrate commitment and aptitude.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of careers in the creative and cultural sectors. Common paths include professional performance with regional and national companies, independent choreography and company leadership, and repertory directing. Many alumni work in dance education—teaching in private studios, community settings and school systems; students interested in K–12 licensure can pursue additional certification pathways offered through teacher-education courses.

Other career options include arts administration, stage and production management, dance for camera and multimedia performance, movement coaching for theatre and film, and fitness and wellness roles such as Pilates or specialised movement instruction. Graduates who continue to postgraduate study pursue Master of Fine Arts degrees, research in dance studies or advanced certification in somatic practices and movement therapy.

Why study at Radford University

Radford combines focused, conservatory-style dance training with the breadth of a liberal-arts university. Students benefit from small class sizes, regular performance opportunities and close mentorship from faculty with professional performance and choreographic experience. The department emphasises practical experience—students perform in departmental productions, participate in ensemble repertory and have access to collaborative projects across campus.

Located within a university committed to the arts, the dance programme offers pathways to interdisciplinary study, community engagement and professional internships. For students seeking a balance of intensive studio work, academic study and career preparation, Radford provides the facilities, faculty and performance platforms to develop as versatile dance artists and professionals.