Cost & earnings at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota What students borrow here, and what they go on to earn
The Bachelor in Dance at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a four-year undergraduate programme combining practical studio training, choreography and academic study of movement, history and somatics. It suits students seeking intensive performance and creative practice alongside liberal arts study, whether they aim for professional performance, teaching or arts leadership.
This programme blends disciplined studio practice with theoretical and creative study. Core elements include technique classes in contemporary, ballet and modern forms; composition and choreography; improvisation and partnering; performance workshop and repertory. Complementary academic topics typically explored are dance history and criticism, movement analysis, anatomy for dancers and somatic approaches such as Feldenkrais or Alexander Technique.
Students also work on performance production skills—lighting, costuming, rehearsal management—and learn teaching methods for community and classroom settings. The degree balances required studio courses with liberal arts electives and culminates in a senior capstone project or final recital that showcases choreographic and performance skills, often developed in collaboration with peers and faculty.
Applicants are normally expected to hold a completed secondary school qualification acceptable to US universities. Admission commonly requires a dance audition—either in-person or via a video submission—that demonstrates technical training, performance ability and creative potential. Candidates may also be asked to provide an academic transcript, a personal statement about their dance experience and aspirations, and one or more letters of recommendation.
Successful applicants typically have several years of pre-college dance training. Transfer applicants should provide college transcripts and a summary of completed coursework; placement into advanced technique or choreography courses may be determined by faculty assessment. International applicants must meet the university's English language requirements.
Graduates from a Bachelor in Dance commonly progress into careers including professional performance with contemporary and ballet companies, choreographers for stage and screen, and dance educators at community studios or K–12 schools (additional teacher certification may be required for public school teaching). Other pathways include roles in arts administration and producing, community arts engagement, movement direction for theatre and film, and continued study at the graduate level in choreography, performance studies, physical therapy or dance/movement therapy (which usually requires specialised postgraduate training).
The programme’s combination of practical training and liberal arts study also supports careers beyond performance, such as arts management, cultural programming, fitness and wellness coaching with a movement focus, and outreach or education roles within cultural organisations.
Saint Mary’s offers a small-campus environment with close faculty mentorship and opportunities for interdisciplinary learning within a liberal arts framework. Students benefit from hands-on performance opportunities, community collaborations and access to rehearsal and studio space suited to both technique and choreography work. The university’s emphasis on servant leadership and community engagement supports projects that connect dance practice with local schools, eldercare and outreach programmes.
Faculty are typically practising artists and educators who guide students through performance seasons, choreographic projects and community initiatives, helping graduates develop both their creative voice and professional skills needed for a range of careers in the arts.
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