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Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

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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 Friendly

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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 Friendly

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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 Friendly

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BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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Study Abroad

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BFA Performing Arts

Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

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BFA Performing Arts

Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

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BFA Performing Arts

Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

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BFA Performing Arts

Theatre Design & Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Training

•Required study spans ballet, jazz, modern, and tap technique alongside choreography, dance pedagogy, dance history, anatomy and kinesiology, and production

•Students must achieve Level 4 proficiency in one genre and Level 3 in another to graduate

•The department’s "Thinking Artists" philosophy integrates dance practice with liberal arts study

Performance & Productions

•Dance Company performances and Evening of Dance productions

•Faculty- and student-choreographed dance concerts

•WKU Summer Dance Intensive

•15-20 department productions annually

Degree Flexibility

•Students pair the 46-credit major with a minor or second major for interdisciplinary breadth

School Info

Snapshot

3.46

Avg GPA (W)

94%

Admit Rate

school-wide

56%

Grad Rate

12.2K

Enrollment

$44K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$12,276

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$27,000

Before aid

Average Net Price

$10,990

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Training

•Required study spans ballet, jazz, modern, and tap technique alongside choreography, dance pedagogy, dance history, anatomy and kinesiology, and production

•Students must achieve Level 4 proficiency in one genre and Level 3 in another to graduate

•The department’s "Thinking Artists" philosophy integrates dance practice with liberal arts study

Performance & Productions

•Dance Company performances and Evening of Dance productions

•Faculty- and student-choreographed dance concerts

•WKU Summer Dance Intensive

•15-20 department productions annually

Degree Flexibility

•Students pair the 46-credit major with a minor or second major for interdisciplinary breadth

Program Highlights

Training

•Required study spans ballet, jazz, modern, and tap technique alongside choreography, dance pedagogy, dance history, anatomy and kinesiology, and production

•Students must achieve Level 4 proficiency in one genre and Level 3 in another to graduate

•The department’s "Thinking Artists" philosophy integrates dance practice with liberal arts study

Performance & Productions

•Dance Company performances and Evening of Dance productions

•Faculty- and student-choreographed dance concerts

•WKU Summer Dance Intensive

•15-20 department productions annually

Degree Flexibility

•Students pair the 46-credit major with a minor or second major for interdisciplinary breadth

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

Application Fee

$50

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Auditions

Dance Placement Audition (Gordon Wilson Hall)

Oct 17, 2026Feb 6, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Video Audition Deadline (Scholarship)Feb 1, 2027

Video Audition Deadline (General Admission)May 1, 2027

Official Source

Program Submission

Resume (Required)

•Resume must document academic accomplishments, dance training, performance, and accomplishments

Statement (Required)

•Statement must be a typed narrative of no more than one page describing prior dance experience and future goals

Headshot (Required)

•Provide one recent headshot and one recent full-body dance photograph; professional or informal images are accepted

Official SourceVerified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Dance

Placement Audition

•Ballet technique class taught by dance faculty

•Jazz combination taught by dance faculty

•Modern dance combination taught by dance faculty

•Optional tap combination

Optional Solo (Required for Scholarship Consideration)

•90-second self-choreographed solo in any style

•Music must be provided on a phone or portable device

Attire — Women

•Solid color leotard

•Skin-colored tights for ballet portion

•Black tights for remaining movement portions

Attire — Men

•Black tights and fitted white shirt for ballet

•Black leggings or jazz pants for remaining portions

Footwear

•Ballet slippers (pointe shoes optional for women)

•Jazz shoes

•Tap shoes (if participating in tap segment)

•Bare feet for the modern portion

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•February 1: Video audition deadline for dance scholarship consideration

•February 1: Complete all WKU admission and TopDollar steps for dance scholarship consideration

•May 1: Video audition deadline for general admission

Enrollment

•Fall enrollment; placement auditions are held each semester

•Students begin coursework immediately with "seeking admission" status

Program Requirements

•Minor or second major required

•Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA

•Full participation in the Jury/Portfolio Review process

Important Notes

•Registration is open for the 2026-2027 placement audition dates

Transfer Pathway

BA Dance publishes a transfer-specific pathway: transfer students complete at least 15 WKU hours, use the placement audition and faculty review process, and must be accepted before completing 30 WKU credits.

Official Source

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Video submissions are accepted as an alternative to the on-campus placement audition

•Include a self-introduction, ballet combinations, jazz movement, modern phrase, tap a cappella routine, and optional solo

•February 1: Video deadline for scholarship consideration

•May 1: Video deadline for general admission

•All incoming and transfer students must complete a placement audition

•Students initially enroll with "seeking admission" status

•Full admission is available after 2 semesters with a minimum 2.5 GPA and 8 dance technique hours

•Students must apply by the 4th semester and be accepted by the 5th semester

Audition Expectations

•Check-in begins at 8:45 AM

•An information session is followed by technique classes in ballet, jazz, modern, and optional tap

•The audition concludes with an optional 90-second solo, which is required for scholarship consideration

•Dance faculty teach all audition segments

Contact

•Anna Patsfall: anna.patsfall@wku.edu

Scholarship Info

Jerry E. Baker Dance Scholarships

•$500 to several thousand dollars

•Typically split between fall and spring semesters of first year

•One-time award

Potter College Creative Arts Scholarships

•$1,000 to several thousand dollars per year

•Renewable for 4 years (8 semesters)

•Requires 3.0+ cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment

•Must complete minimum 9 credit hours yearly in major

•Transfer students not eligible

In-State Tuition

•Students from bordering states qualify for in-state tuition rates

•Departmental and university scholarships are stackable up to full cost of attendance

School Info

Snapshot

3.46

Avg GPA (W)

94%

Admit Rate

school-wide

56%

Grad Rate

12.2K

Enrollment

$44K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$12,276

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$27,000

Before aid

Average Net Price

$10,990

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•Required study spans ballet, jazz, modern, and tap technique alongside choreography, dance pedagogy, dance history, anatomy and kinesiology, and production

•Students must achieve Level 4 proficiency in one genre and Level 3 in another to graduate

•The department’s "Thinking Artists" philosophy integrates dance practice with liberal arts study

Performance & Productions

•Dance Company performances and Evening of Dance productions

•Faculty- and student-choreographed dance concerts

•WKU Summer Dance Intensive

•15-20 department productions annually

Degree Flexibility

•Students pair the 46-credit major with a minor or second major for interdisciplinary breadth

Updated 1d ago