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Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY

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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

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 Friendly

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 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

Avg GPA (W)

3.46

Admit rate

94%

school-wide

Grad rate

56%

Enrollment

12.2K

Earnings

$44K

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

Coa · wku.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 16, 6:51 PM

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 page · wku.edu

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

Auditions · wku.edu

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

Auditions · wku.edu

Verified 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

Video Specifications

Slate (Beginning of Video)

Self-introduction including dance background and why you wish to pursue the BA in Dance

Video Content

Ballet: One or two combinations in the center or across the floor highlighting extensions, pirouettes, and grand allegro

Jazz: A combination of choice highlighting extensions, pirouettes, and leaps

Modern: A phrase demonstrating head/tail connection, release, and stylistic approach

Tap: An a cappella combination demonstrating depth of vocabulary, clarity of sound, and rhythmic accuracy

Optional 90-second self-choreographed solo in any style (required for scholarship consideration)

Recording Specs

Record without stopping the video

Phone in landscape (horizontal) mode

Use a tripod for stability

Frame should include all or most of the body while showing facial expressions clearly

Test audio for minimal background noise

Test lighting so you are clearly visible

Upload to YouTube as unlisted

Email the complete audition packet and video links to Anna Patsfall at anna.patsfall@wku.edu

Auditions · wku.edu

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.

Auditions · wku.edu

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

Avg GPA (W)

3.46

Admit rate

94%

school-wide

Grad rate

56%

Enrollment

12.2K

Earnings

$44K

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

Coa · wku.edu 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 Sep 16, 6:51 PM