3/30/2026 - Week 12 / Meeting 20: Teaching / A Degree in Dance Education

 

I 


Unit: Teaching

Theme:  A Degree in Dance Education

 

Introduction

A degree in Dance Education may not be a practical goal.  However, if you love dance and movement, why not add it to your other degrees. What if you decide to teach it out of your love for the art? Today's class tries to bring light to the possibility of completing a degree in Dance Education elsewhere by just adding the missing credits to your minor.

 

II 

Learning Objectives 

 

  • Understand the requirement for a Dance degree
  • Explain the credits needed to complete a major in the future
  • Gain an awareness of the importance of competing a Dance Education degree
  • Discuss these ideas with other members of the class 

 

III

Main Lesson

 

1

Mini-lessons

 

 

2

Read 

Specialization Requirements for Certification in Dance (Grades K-12)--Academic Class. 

https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/certificate-subjects/administrative-rules/6a-4-0123.stml

 Open the link and read the information. Answer the questions bellow.

Question 1

What per-requisites are needed to complete the certification in Dance?

Question 2

After you finish your minor, what classes would you need to take to complete a degree in Dance? 

 

3
 
 
 Reflections on Educating Dance Educators
(Page 221) 

 
 https://www.google.com/books/edition/Teaching_Dance_Studies/964FDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=teaching+dance+in+public+schools&pg=PA221&printsec=frontcover
 
 
 Question 3
 
What are the main points addressed in this reflection?
 
 
 
 
IV
 
 A Note to Remember
Ted Shawn, co-founder of the first school of Modern Dance in America along with Ruth St. Dennis, said that "True education in the art of dance is education of the whole man." Martha Graham, a former student of Shawn and St. Dennis, creator of the Graham Technique, said that "Dance education is not just about movement, it's about life lessons."
 

V

Case Studies 






Question 4

After watching these videos, would you consider Dance Education as a subject of study for Graduate School? Explain your answer.

 

VI

Journaling

 

VII

Glossary

 

VIII

Sources

 

IX 

Students' Work

 

1
 
A Degree in Dance Education   
 
Mia Scheidter

Pre-requisites: 

Plan One. A bachelor's or higher degree with an undergraduate or graduate major in dance or dance education, or

Plan Two. A bachelor's or higher degree with thirty (30) semester hours in dance to include the areas specified 

Credits to complete the major: 

(c) Credit in biomechanical analysis of movement or kinesiology; and

(d) Credit in history of dance or theory and philosophy of dance.

The type of education you have access to and what class you are in shapes how you dance. You need to have a class that is generalized to everybody. Also, if you give students access to a topic, this could inspire them to want to pursue it as a career. Tracking - give them a specific track and path to get them where you want them to go

 

 2

 Allie Knot

Title: Exploring Opposites Through Movement
Date: March 30, 2026
Objective
Students will identify and demonstrate opposites in movement through guided exploration and
short choreography.
Competency
● Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts (levels, dynamics, pathways)
● Performs contrasting movement qualities clearly
● Collaborates to create and present movement sequences
Materials
● Open dance space
Content
Students will explore movement opposites including:
● Speed: fast vs. slow
● Levels: high vs. low
● Pathways: straight vs. curved
● Directions: forward vs. backward
Activity
Today we’re exploring opposites in movement. This is a common concept taught in elementary
dance.
1. Warm-up
Students begin with a brief stretch, followed by a guided warm-up traveling through space while
responding to teacher prompts exploring opposites in movement, including speed (fast/slow),
levels (high/low), pathways (straight/curved), and direction (forward/backward). Movements are
gradually combined to build complexity.
2. Across the floor exploration
Students travel across the floor in small groups, demonstrating specific opposites one at a time:
fast vs. slow, high vs. low, straight vs. curved pathways, and forward vs. backward direction.
3. Group choreography
In small groups, students create an 8-count movement phrase that includes at least two categories
of opposites (speed, level, pathway, or direction). The phrase must clearly demonstrate contrast
between two sets of opposites. Groups will share their choreography.
Assessment
Assessment is based on teacher observation during movement exploration and group work. 



3


Sofia Yarosh

1. To get certified in Dance (K–12), you need a bachelor’s degree, enough coursework in dance (like technique, choreography, and history), education classes, and passing scores on the FTCE exams, including general knowledge, professional education, and the dance subject area test.

2. After completing a minor, you would still need more advanced and upper-level courses such as additional technique classes in different styles, choreography, dance history, performance experience, and possibly anatomy or kinesiology to meet the full requirements of a dance major.

3. The reflection explains that dance education is about developing the whole person, not just teaching movement. It emphasizes that teachers need both strong technical dance skills and the ability to teach effectively, while also being reflective, inclusive, and supportive of students’ personal growth.

4. I would consider dance education for graduate school because it goes beyond physical movement and teaches creativity, discipline, and important life skills. Graduate study would help strengthen both teaching skills and artistic ability, making it a meaningful and impactful field.

 

 

4


Anna Markov

Question 1: What per-requisites are needed to complete the certification in Dance (Grades K-12)?

According to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) requirements referenced in your screenshot, the prerequisites for professional certification include:

  • Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited institution.

  • Content Specialization: If your degree is not a major in Dance, you need at least 30 semester hours in dance, including specific credits in:

    • Dance history, theory, and composition/choreography.

    • Dance terminology and technique (Ballet, Modern, and Jazz).

    • Music for dance and applied anatomy/kinesiology.

  • Testing: Passing the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE), which includes General Knowledge, Professional Education, and the Subject Area Exam for Dance.

Question 2: After you finish your minor, what classes would you need to take to complete a degree in Dance?

To transition from a minor to a Full Degree (Major), you would typically need to complete advanced academic and technical coursework such as:

  • Pedagogy & Methods: Courses specifically on the Methods of Teaching Dance (K-12) to understand classroom management and curriculum design.

  • Advanced Technique: Upper-division studio work in Modern, Ballet, and potentially World Dance forms.

  • Production & Design: Courses in lighting, costuming, and stagecraft for dance.

  • Laban Movement Analysis: A deeper study of movement notation and theory.

  • Senior Capstone/Performance: A final degree requirement involving a public performance or a choreographed thesis project.

Question 3: What are the main points addressed in "Reflections on Educating Dance Educators" ?

The main points of this reflection center on the evolving role of the dance teacher:

  • The Facilitator Model: Shifting from being a "drill sergeant" to a facilitator who supports the student's own investigation of movement.

  • Empathy and Relationship: Reinforcing the importance of a relationship-oriented approach to ensure students feel SAFE (Seen, Accepted, Fearless, Empowered).

  • Lifelong Learning: The idea that a dance educator must remain a student themselves, constantly updating their knowledge of kinesiology and pedagogical trends.

Question 4: After watching these videos, would you consider Dance Education as a subject of study for Graduate School? Explain your answer.

While I wouldn't consider Dance Education as a subject of study for myself personally, I definitely understand why people would. Graduate study provides the research-based tools necessary to prove the value of dance in public schools and allows educators to specialize in high-level areas like Dance Therapy, Policy Advocacy, or University-level Pedagogy, which are essential for the professional growth of the field.

 

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