Dance | Academic Advising Handbook

At Pacific, opportunities in the performing arts are available to all students, regardless of major. Whether you are interested in a career in professional dance, in teaching, or in combining dance with other fields of study, our courses and productions provide a well-rounded foundation.

Pacific University offers both a dance major and a dance minor. The dance program at Pacific University combines practical experience with rigorous academics. The program provides opportunities to perform, choreograph, and study literature and history, all of which integrate theory and practice. Students graduating with dance training go on to work in a variety of fields, including performance, production, arts management, teaching and many other professions that value communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Programs that combine well with dance include exercise science, music, business and education.

Dance Majors must meet with their advisor in the spring semester prior to their final year to determine their Senior Dance Capstone project and to submit a proposal toward their desired project.  If you plan to pursue a Choreography/Performance Capstone, then Choreography II and Lighting Design for Dancers and Directors are both highly recommended courses for you to take prior to your capstone proposal submission.

If you plan to pursue a Choreography/Performance Capstone, then Choreography II and Lighting Design for Dancers and Directors are both highly recommended courses for you to take prior to your capstone proposal submission.

If you plan to pursue a Dance Science Capstone, then Injury Prevention and Conditioning for Dancers and an Independent Study in the area of research methods is highly recommended to be completed by the spring of your junior year.

If you plan to pursue a Dance Education Capstone, then Teaching Methods of Dance is highly recommended to be completed by your junior year.