The Certificate Program in Dance at Princeton University is a self-designed program comprised of required courses, performance, and co-curricular activities.  The goal of the program is to allow for a deep physical, creative, and intellectual understanding of dance within the greater context of the liberal arts.  All students, whether or not they are interested in a dance career, are offered the opportunity to pursue a certificate and students are encouraged to find their own role within the dance community—be that as a dancer, choreographer, critic, archivist, or scholar.  Through intensive exposure and education, Princeton hopes to promote a lifelong involvement in dance and nourish the next generation of dance leaders, activists, donors, and academics.

A certificate from the Program in Dance is awarded to students who successfully complete a substantial amount of work in the practical and academic areas of the discipline. Students should enroll in the certificate program during the second term of the sophomore year, but no later than the start of the second term of the junior year. At least two of the required courses should be completed before enrollment in the certificate program.

Dance Program Certificate Requirements

To obtain a certificate in the Program in Dance, students need to complete:
1.    Four studio courses above the introductory level

a.    219/220;319/309; 419/409; 420; 431 Approaches to Ballet; 304 Contemporary Practices
b.    Two must be performance courses: 319/419/420

2.    One course in dance history and criticism [DAN 321:Special Topics in Dance History, Criticism, and Aesthetics offered spring semester only];

a.    Occasionally other departments offer cognates in performance studies: substitutions by permission only.

3.    Two additional performances in junior and senior year: Either

a.    Guest choreographer
b.    Dance-based Atelier

4.    Two semesters of co-curricular ballet class 2x/week; or modern 2X week; or combination.

5.    20 hours of technical work in assisting the Dance Program’s productions.

6.    Students have the option of completing an independent creative project in dance as part of the program; by application.