Public school33.1K

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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BA Dance & Performance Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Training

•BA program focused on contemporary dance, choreography, and dance theater

•Conservatory-style classes with 20 students or fewer for most dance and technical training courses

•Minimum four semesters of dance technique courses plus choreography sequence

•Courses in performance studies covering dance theory, history, culture, and literature

•Faculty known nationally and internationally for scholarly research and creative work

Performance & Productions

•Annual spring concert featuring faculty and guest artist repertory pieces

•Student-led performances and blackbox workshop productions

•Professional workshops with Artists-in-Residence

•Access to 70+ student-run performing arts groups on campus

Professional Development

•Internships with professional dance companies and Bay Area organizations including ODC Dance and Joe Goode Performance Group

•Graduates pursue careers in professional dance companies, graduate study, education, healthcare, and nonprofit arts

School Info

Snapshot

11%

Admit Rate

school-wide

93%

Grad Rate

33.1K

Enrollment

$92K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$18,216

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$57,486

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$54,470

Before aid

Average Net Price

$13,481

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated Jun 27, 2:41 PM

Program Highlights

Training

•BA program focused on contemporary dance, choreography, and dance theater

•Conservatory-style classes with 20 students or fewer for most dance and technical training courses

•Minimum four semesters of dance technique courses plus choreography sequence

•Courses in performance studies covering dance theory, history, culture, and literature

•Faculty known nationally and internationally for scholarly research and creative work

Performance & Productions

•Annual spring concert featuring faculty and guest artist repertory pieces

•Student-led performances and blackbox workshop productions

•Professional workshops with Artists-in-Residence

•Access to 70+ student-run performing arts groups on campus

Professional Development

•Internships with professional dance companies and Bay Area organizations including ODC Dance and Joe Goode Performance Group

•Graduates pursue careers in professional dance companies, graduate study, education, healthcare, and nonprofit arts

Program Highlights

Training

•BA program focused on contemporary dance, choreography, and dance theater

•Conservatory-style classes with 20 students or fewer for most dance and technical training courses

•Minimum four semesters of dance technique courses plus choreography sequence

•Courses in performance studies covering dance theory, history, culture, and literature

•Faculty known nationally and internationally for scholarly research and creative work

Performance & Productions

•Annual spring concert featuring faculty and guest artist repertory pieces

•Student-led performances and blackbox workshop productions

•Professional workshops with Artists-in-Residence

•Access to 70+ student-run performing arts groups on campus

Professional Development

•Internships with professional dance companies and Bay Area organizations including ODC Dance and Joe Goode Performance Group

•Graduates pursue careers in professional dance companies, graduate study, education, healthcare, and nonprofit arts

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website apply.universityofcalifornia.edu

Fees

Domestic Fee

$80

International Fee

$95

Deadline

Application DeadlineNov 30, 2026

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply through the University of California Application

•Applications open in August and are due in November for admission the following fall

•No supplemental application or materials required for TDPS

Eligibility

•Transfer students who select TDPS as their major on the UC Application are automatically declared

•Incomplete prerequisite courses must be finished before graduation

Admission Pathway

•Complete one practice course (e.g., Beginning Modern Dance Technique) and one performance studies course (e.g., Introduction to Performance Studies)

•Schedule an appointment with the undergraduate advisor to formally declare

Important Notes

•Individual courses within the major may require auditions or interviews for enrollment, but these are separate from admission to the major

What's The Process

Audition Process

•No audition, interview, or portfolio required to declare the major

•Students apply to UC Berkeley through the UC Application

•After admission, declare the major by completing two lower-division courses and meeting with an advisor

Contact

•Undergraduate Advisor: Laxmi Kumaran — laxmik@berkeley.edu

•General inquiries: tdps@berkeley.edu

Scholarship Info

Departmental Prizes & Awards

•Faculty-selected endowed awards presented at annual commencement ceremony

•The Departmental Citation — highest honor for academic and artistic excellence (3.5+ GPA required)

•Julia Payne Dance Scholarship for outstanding dance scholarship and performance (3.3+ GPA, female-identifying)

•Mark Goodson Prize for Distinguished Artistic Talent (3.3+ GPA required)

•Florence Schwimley Memorial Scholarship for excellence in theater and dance (3.3+ GPA, continuing students)

•Jean Wilcox Scholarship for artistic talent, graduating students with financial need pursuing a professional career in performance

•Sara Huntsman Sturgess Memorial Prize for outstanding artistic accomplishment

•Larry Belling Promising Writers' Award for undergraduate students with financial need

•Roslyn Schneider Eisner Prize for continuing creative achievement

•Mansfield & Sweringen Social Justice Award for advancing equity through performance arts

•Dunbar Ogden Undergraduate Prize in Theater History for research excellence in theater, dance, or performance history (essay nominated by faculty)

•Pillsbury Award for excellence in acting and performance (female-identifying)

School Info

Snapshot

11%

Admit Rate

school-wide

93%

Grad Rate

33.1K

Enrollment

$92K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$18,216

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$57,486

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$54,470

Before aid

Average Net Price

$13,481

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•BA program focused on contemporary dance, choreography, and dance theater

•Conservatory-style classes with 20 students or fewer for most dance and technical training courses

•Minimum four semesters of dance technique courses plus choreography sequence

•Courses in performance studies covering dance theory, history, culture, and literature

•Faculty known nationally and internationally for scholarly research and creative work

Performance & Productions

•Annual spring concert featuring faculty and guest artist repertory pieces

•Student-led performances and blackbox workshop productions

•Professional workshops with Artists-in-Residence

•Access to 70+ student-run performing arts groups on campus

Professional Development

•Internships with professional dance companies and Bay Area organizations including ODC Dance and Joe Goode Performance Group

•Graduates pursue careers in professional dance companies, graduate study, education, healthcare, and nonprofit arts

Updated Jun 27, 2:41 PM