Public school23.7K

University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Amherst, MA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In FriendlyLive PreferredOnline Option

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In FriendlyLive PreferredOnline Option

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In FriendlyLive PreferredOnline Option

Training

UMass Dance combines technique, theory, history, composition, scientific foundations of dance, and production.

Students study ballet, modern dance, and jazz while developing work as artists, scholars, and cultural leaders.

Performance & Productions

The program supplements the curriculum with special events, guest choreographers, master classes, and three major concerts each year.

Degree Flexibility

Dance majors benefit from Five College Dance resources at Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and UMass Amherst.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

4.04

Admit rate

60%

school-wide

Grad rate

83%

Enrollment

23.7K

Earnings

$72K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$19,212

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$43,299

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$39,896

Before aid

Average net price

$22,383

After aid

Undergraduate Costs · umass.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 7, 6:15 PM

Program Highlights

Training

UMass Dance combines technique, theory, history, composition, scientific foundations of dance, and production.

Students study ballet, modern dance, and jazz while developing work as artists, scholars, and cultural leaders.

Performance & Productions

The program supplements the curriculum with special events, guest choreographers, master classes, and three major concerts each year.

Degree Flexibility

Dance majors benefit from Five College Dance resources at Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and UMass Amherst.

Program Highlights

Training

UMass Dance combines technique, theory, history, composition, scientific foundations of dance, and production.

Students study ballet, modern dance, and jazz while developing work as artists, scholars, and cultural leaders.

Performance & Productions

The program supplements the curriculum with special events, guest choreographers, master classes, and three major concerts each year.

Degree Flexibility

Dance majors benefit from Five College Dance resources at Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and UMass Amherst.

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Fee

Application Fee

$90

Opens

Common App opens - must be completed before the UMass Dance ApplicationAug 1, 2026

Fall transfer application opens - must be completed before the Dance Application and auditionJan 1, 2027

Deadline

First-year applicants

UMass Common App for Dance — Fall first-year Early Action applicantsNov 5, 2026

UMass Common App for Dance — Fall first-year Regular Decision applicantsJan 15, 2027

Transfer applicants

Fall transfer priority application - required before the Dance Application and auditionMar 1, 2027

Fall transfer final application - required before the Dance Application and online auditionApr 15, 2027

Official page · umass.edu Important Dates Deadlines · umass.edu Dance · umass.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the audition.

Apply

Qualtrics Common App School Website

Opens

Sep 1, 2026

Deadline

Fall 2027 Dance Application PriorityFeb 17, 2027

Fall 2027 Transfer Online AuditionApr 15, 2027

Fall 2027 Online AuditionMay 12, 2027

Auditions

Fall 2027 BFA/BA Audition

Oct 30, 2026Feb 19, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Transfer Online Audition DeadlineApr 15, 2027

Online Audition DeadlineMay 12, 2027

Sv 6fe8kfzr89s4jua · umassamherst.co1.qualtrics.com Dance · umass.edu

Audition Requirements

Dance

Live Audition

A live audition is strongly preferred for all BA and BFA degree applicants.

Applicants sign up for a scheduled audition date through the UMass Dance Application.

Online Audition Option

Applicants unable to attend live may select Online Audition in the Dance Application.

Submit five recent movement demonstrations, each 1 to 1.5 minutes.

Required demonstrations: improvisation, modern or contemporary phrase, jazz across the floor with turns or leaps, and street styles or social dance.

Ballet

Online Ballet Demonstration

Submit ballet barre and adagio material for the online audition.

Include tendu, rond de jambe, fondu, developpe, adagio, promenade, pirouette en dedans, and en dehors pirouette material.

Pointe work is optional and only requested from applicants planning to enroll in pointe.

Additional Materials

Statement

Submit a 350-500 word personal statement through the Dance Application.

Respond to the published prompt about your dance background, career trajectory, and fit with UMass Dance.

Video

Live audition applicants may submit a recommended 2-3 minute movement sample through YouTube or Vimeo.

Online audition applicants submit shareable links for the required movement demonstrations.

Dance · umass.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Complete the Common App through UMass Undergraduate Admissions before the audition.

Submit the separate UMass Dance Application for the dance program.

The Dance Application includes audition-date selection plus uploads for the personal statement and optional live-audition movement sample.

Early Action is optional; fall first-year applicants may choose Regular Decision. Complete both the university application and the Dance Application before auditioning, even if the admission deadline is later.

Eligibility

Transfer applicants use the Transfer or MassTransfer application and should file early so UMass can complete the dance audition review.

Admission Pathway

UMass Dance offers BA and BFA degrees; both require academic admission plus departmental approval through the Dance Application and audition.

Important Notes

Fall 2027 Dance Application priority deadline is February 17, 2027; late applications will likely require an online audition.

Spring 2027 Dance Application deadline is October 28, 2026.

Transfer Pathway

MassTransfer lists Cape Cod Community College's Performing Arts Concentration as linked to UMass's College of Humanities & Fine Arts; BA Dance transfers still need UMass transfer admission plus departmental approval through the Dance Application and audition review.

Cape Cod Community College · umass.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Admission is a two-part process: complete the Common Application for UMass Amherst before auditioning, then submit the Dance Application and audition

The Dance Application is temporarily unavailable for maintenance and says it will reopen by September 1

The Dance Application includes audition-date selection plus uploads for the personal statement and movement sample

Live auditions are strongly preferred; applicants unable to attend live should contact the Dance Program Assistant about the online path

Online Audition

Videos must show the full body, use good lighting and clear audio where applicable, and clearly label each section

Videos must be recorded within the last year and shared through a publicly accessible link rather than uploaded as raw files

Scholarship Info

Dance Scholarships

Undergraduate dance majors are eligible for talent-based tuition or partial-tuition waiver scholarships.

All students are considered for dance scholarships as part of the audition process; no special application or separate appearance is required.

Chancellor's Talent Awards are available annually for dance students.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

4.04

Admit rate

60%

school-wide

Grad rate

83%

Enrollment

23.7K

Earnings

$72K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$19,212

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$43,299

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$39,896

Before aid

Average net price

$22,383

After aid

Undergraduate Costs · umass.edu College Scorecard

Training

UMass Dance combines technique, theory, history, composition, scientific foundations of dance, and production.

Students study ballet, modern dance, and jazz while developing work as artists, scholars, and cultural leaders.

Performance & Productions

The program supplements the curriculum with special events, guest choreographers, master classes, and three major concerts each year.

Degree Flexibility

Dance majors benefit from Five College Dance resources at Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and UMass Amherst.

Updated Sep 7, 6:15 PM