Community Dance Certificate

Certificate Overview

The program in Community Dance emphasizes the creative process as a form of collaboration, through which dance can be an adaptable, inclusive, socially relevant practice. The Graduate Certificate in Community Dance prepares professionals ready to create and lead community dance projects focused on wellness, health, education, activism, or other initiatives. Courses include studio practice in dance technique and composition; theoretical, practical, and historical investigations of dance as a community form; dance research; and project planning. This program harnesses the resources of the School of Dance BFA and BA programs, which create a rich culture of studio practice and performance in which graduate students can deepen their understanding of their art form while developing professional competencies as arts administrators and leaders. This is a 12-credit hour, stackable certificate program.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will evaluate, critique, and synthesize scholarship on community dance practices

• Students will demonstrate strong professional skills, including effective communication, creative problem solving, organization, and administration

• Students will refine proficiency in dance-movement practices

• Students will create and lead dance experiences that foster community and enhance civic responsibility

Opportunities upon Completion

Community dance integrates arts learning and participation into the lives of children, seniors, youth, and other populations. Graduates of the Certificate in Community Dance will understand the artistic discipline of dance as well as how to bring dance to a diverse range of communities. They will be entrepreneurial, able to create their own opportunities by developing proposals to meet the needs of organizations, schools, and community partners. Relevant career paths include community dance practitioner, arts administrator, cultural advisor/educator, director of recreational dance program, and community youth group leader.

Enrollment Eligibility

This certificate is intended for degree-seeking graduate students. Transfer credits may not be applied to the certificate.

Community Dance Certificate Requirements [pdf]

Admission Requirements

•    Interview with dance faculty 
•    Submission of a resume that details dance education and experience 

Get More Information

To apply, and for more information on the Community Dance Certificate, contact Dr. Tresa Randall, randall@ohio.edu, Associate Professor, Dance.