Perform in English and Hoike in Hawaiian Language. Sit in English and Noho in Hawaiian Language. Release in English and Hookuu in Hawaiian Language. Dance in English and Haa in Hawaiian Language. Hide in English and Pee in Hawaiian Language. Memorize in English and Hoopaanaau in Hawaiian Language. Touch in English and Hoopa in Hawaiian Language. Sing in English and Mele in Hawaiian Language. Appear in English and Oili in Hawaiian Language. Dive in English and Luu in Hawaiian Language. Crawl in English and Kolo in Hawaiian Language. Dance in English and Hula in Hawaiian Language. Balance in English and Kaulike in Hawaiian Language. Bellow in English and Kuo in Hawaiian Language. Breathe in English and Hanu in Hawaiian Language. Extend in English and Hoonui in Hawaiian Language. Embrace in English and Puliki in Hawaiian Language. Flinch in English and Kuemi in Hawaiian Language. Sit in English and Noho in Hawaiian Language. Release in English and Hookuu in Hawaiian Language. Dance in English and Haa in Hawaiian Language.
Hide in English and Pee in Hawaiian Language. Memorize in English and Hoopaanaau in Hawaiian Language. Touch in English and Hoopa in Hawaiian Language. Sing in English and Mele in Hawaiian Language. Appear in English and Oili in Hawaiian Language. Dive in English and Luu in Hawaiian Language. Crawl in English and Kolo in Hawaiian Language. Dance in English and Hula in Hawaiian Language. Balance in English and Kaulike in Hawaiian Language. Bellow in English and Kuo in Hawaiian Language. Breathe in English and Hanu in Hawaiian Language. Extend in English and Hoonui in Hawaiian Language. Embrace in English and Puliki in Hawaiian Language. Flinch in English and Kuemi in Hawaiian Language.

Undergraduate Students

How To Apply

We’re glad that you’re interested in becoming a dance major. You can declare a BA major in Theatre and Dance with a Concentration in Dance on your university application. If you are presently a student at UHM and intend to change, add, or declare a major in dance, you will need to complete a “Declaration of Major” Form. Please work directly with the Dance undergraduate advisor to facilitate your declaration form. See the following websites for more information:

See the following websites for more information:

Freshman Undergraduate Admissions
Transfer Student Admissions
Creative Computational Media (CCM) Certificate Program

Dance Majors, BA

This degree is designed for students with a broad interest in dance and allows them maximum flexibility to satisfy requirements in their greatest areas of interest.

Students must complete 40 credit hours: 29 credits of required courses and 11 of elective courses. BA majors are required to register for and attend a technique course each semester. Elective credit hours are determined in consultation with an advisor and based on the student’s desired focus within dance, such as dance education, choreography, performance, visual media for dance, dance studies, or technical theater production.

Course Requirements

  • DNCE 151, 255, 260, 360 or 362, 370 or 490, 452, or 453
  • THEA 200C, 200D, or 200E
  • 12 credits of dance technique at the 200 level or above, including:
    • 3 credits in ballet
    • 3 credits in contemporary dance
    • 3 credits from two different Asian/Pacific dance genres
  • 11 credits of focus electives to be selected from: DNCE 240, 360, 362, 370, 371, 372, 452, 453, 458, 459, 470, 480, 490, 499, 658, 660, 617, 673, Asian and Pacific performance courses, related courses in ethnomusicology, Asian or Hawaiian Theatre, Hawaiian studies, Pacific Island studies, or Ethnic studies.

Other Requirements

BA Dance students are required to participate in at least one UH dance production per year (eg., main stage dance concerts, student dance concerts) as a performer or stage crew member. BA majors are required to attend the annual end-of-year assessment class/BFA audition.

Graduation requirements include the submission of a portfolio of student work including a student assessment essay, exit interview, and survey.

For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to www.manoa.hawaii.edu/ovcaa/programsheets/.

Dance Majors, BFA

This program is designed for students who wish to pursue professional careers as dancers, teachers, and/or choreographers. Admission to the program is by audition which includes an online submission.

Incoming students should declare BA Dance as their major then audition for the BFA degree program during the first year of enrollment if interested in the BFA program.

Course Requirements

Students must complete 62 credit hours, including:

  • DNCE 151, 240, 255, 360, 362, 370, 371, 372, 452, 453
  • 1 credit hour of DNCE 495
  • 6 credit hours of DNCE 321
  • 6 credit hours of DNCE 331
  • 3 credit hours of DNCE 470 or 480
  • 2 credit hours in two different Asian or Pacific dance performance courses
  • 6 credit hours of ballet technique at the 300 level or higher (DNCE 321 or 421) or 6 credit hours of contemporary dance technique at the 300 level or higher (DNCE 331 or 431)
  • 6 credit hours of DNCE 421 or 431
  • 2 credit hours of THEA 200C, 200D, or 200E

Other Requirements

BFA Dance Concentration students are required to participate in at least two UH dance productions per year. At least one must be in a performance capacity. Attendance at the BFA audition is required each year by the BFA major. Prior to the Senior Project (DNCE 495), BFA students must audition choreography for a fall or spring student concert by the sixth semester of the dance major. BFA majors are required to register for a technique course every semester.

Graduation requirements include the submission of a portfolio of student work including a student assessment essay, exit interview, and survey.

Dance Minors

Course Requirements

Students must complete 15 credit hours numbered 200-level and above.

A maximum of 9 credit hours from dance technique courses may be designated for the minor.

Dept. of Theatre + Dance
1770 East-West Rd Honolulu HI 96822
Main Office: (808) 956-7677
Box Office: (808) 956-7655