Exploring the UCLA Dance Major: A Comprehensive Guide

For high school students passionate about dance and considering their options for higher education, UCLA's dance program stands out as a compelling choice. This article delves into the specifics of the UCLA dance major, its curriculum, opportunities, and the application process, providing potential applicants with a thorough understanding of what the program offers.

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Dance Education

UCLA's dance program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in World Arts and Cultures/Dance, a unique interdisciplinary program that integrates the study, performance, and creation of dance. This approach blends theory and practice, providing students with a comprehensive education that goes beyond traditional dance techniques. The curriculum incorporates cultural studies, arts, and social sciences, broadening students' perspectives and preparing them for diverse career paths.

Curriculum Overview: A Fusion of Technique and Theory

The B.A. in Dance at UCLA thoroughly integrates learning to dance, learning to make dances, and critical interrogation of dance as a cultural practice. Throughout their studies, students explore a variety of dance forms. The curriculum includes a four-term sequence in dance composition, allowing students to develop their choreographic skills.

Dance Forms: Students study a variety of dance genres, such as ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop.
Dance Composition: The four-term sequence in dance composition provides a structured approach to learning how to create dances.
Cultural Studies: Integration of cultural studies within the dance curriculum provides a broader understanding of dance as a cultural practice.
Theoretical Framework: The program encourages critical interrogation of dance, blending theory and practice.

Performance Opportunities: Showcasing Talent and Creativity

UCLA offers numerous performance opportunities for dance students, including annual department showcases, student-led productions, and collaborations with other departments and local arts organizations. Students also have opportunities to participate in the creation of their own dances, as well as working as dancers in the creation of new works by faculty members and visiting artists. These experiences allow students to showcase their talent, develop their artistic voice, and gain valuable performance experience.

Faculty and Mentorship: Guiding Artistic Development

One of the notable features of the dance major at UCLA is its emphasis on individual student growth and artistic development. Students have opportunities to work closely with renowned faculty members who are industry professionals and scholars. Throughout their time in the program, students are encouraged to explore their personal artistic interests and develop their unique voice as a performer and choreographer.

Location Advantage: Los Angeles as a Dance Hub

UCLA's dance program is located in Los Angeles, a global arts hub with a vibrant dance community. As a result, students have ample opportunities to connect and network with choreographers, performers, and companies in the city, which can open up possibilities for internships, residencies, and even full-time job opportunities post-graduation.

Admissions: A Competitive Process

UCLA's program is competitive, so it's crucial to focus on strengthening dance skills, academic record, and overall profile to increase the chances of being admitted. New UCLA first year and transfer students are admitted to the major for Fall quarter only.

Supplemental Application via SlideRoom

The supplemental application is submitted through SlideRoom. The department uses SlideRoom to collect Program Change applications. Applicants need to sign up for a free SlideRoom account. There is no additional cost associated with applying for a Program Change.

Important Dates

Current UCLA undergraduate students interested in the Dance major must identify themselves to the department by December 5, 2025 (4:00pm PST) in order to participate in the departmental Change of Major admission process during Fall/Winter. As a part of this registration, students will need to submit a PDF of their Program Change Petition.

Program Change Application

The 2025-2026 Program Change application is open. Current UCLA undergraduate students interested in the Dance major must identify themselves to the department by a specific deadline in order to participate in the departmental Change of Major admission process. The Department encourages prospective Change of Major applicants to book a counseling appointment with the department advisors, so that they can get direct individualized information about their degree proposal.

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Applicants must be in good academic standing at the end of the application quarter.
If an applicant is on academic probation at the end of their previous quarter, they may still apply, with the expectation that their status will be cleared at the end of the current quarter.
If an applicant is a prospective Dance applicant with no established UC GPA (ex. a new student entering in the Fall who has not taken previous coursework at UCLA or any other UC), they are not eligible to apply until they have a UCLA GPA.

Choreography and Movement Videos: Showcasing Skills and Creativity

The admissions process includes the submission of Choreography and Movement videos. Evaluators look for range, honesty, and confidence in the videos. Here are some past evaluator impressions and advice about the required Choreography and Movement videos:

Be particular about what you are showing in each of your videos.
Try and differentiate clearly between the choreographic video and the movement video.
Use both videos to highlight your different capabilities.
For the movement clip, focus on diverse movement approaches and experiences and applicants that focus on the body in the flow of movement engagement rather than showing off proficiency of a particular dance technique.
For the choreography clip, utilize the skills you possess in a particular technique but also try and go beyond those structures.
Show that you can create individuated pathways of movement expression.
Stay within the allotted time limit.
Consider incorporating elements of the space you are in.
Demonstrate curiosity, passion, confidence, focus, abandon, control, chaos, discipline, consideration, hunger, joy, grief, excitement, honor, bravery, fear, humor, mischief, surprise.

Evaluators appreciate applicants who demonstrate range, honesty, and confidence in their videos. They look for vulnerability and a genuine connection to the movement.

Undergraduate Handbook: A Guide for Current Students

Comprehensive information on the undergraduate curriculum for current students can be found in the 2025-2026 Undergraduate Handbook (850.33 kB). Students should refer to the handbook for their admit year.

Resources and Further Information

The UCLA General Catalog is published annually in PDF and HTML formats. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in the UCLA General Catalog. However, all courses, course descriptions, instructor designations, curricular degree requirements, and fees described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice. Students should consult this Catalog for the most current, officially approved courses and curricula. Other information about UCLA may be found in materials produced by the schools of Arts and Architecture; Dentistry; Education and Information Studies; Engineering and Applied Science; Law; Management; Medicine; Music; Nursing; Public Affairs; Public Health; and Theater, Film, and Television.

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