WinterWorks (2026). Photo: Rich Soublet.
Dance Major
Program
UC San Diego's Department of Theatre+Dance offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance or a minor in Dance, offering courses that satisfy the university's general education requirements at the Undergraduate level.
The Dance program strives to maintain an artistically and culturally diverse curriculum that serves to enrich the creative lives and education of all students. Our dance department provides a solid academic base on which to build dance technique, creative skills, and self expression. Dance students are encouraged to develop theories and practices that enable them to engage creatively with the world find their own individual artistic voice, and become confident, positive, responsible, respectful and proactive citizens.
The Dance program serves the university campus by offering a diverse range of classes for all students who wish to include dance into their schedule for their arts and humanities requirements. These classes include all levels of dance techniques such as ballet, hip hop, jazz and contemporary approaches to dance practice, as well as world dance courses in West African, Latin, and Flamenco dance. There are also creative dance making courses, contact improvisation and dance improvisation as well as history and theory courses offered. Performance opportunities also exist for all students who wish to be included in the creative processes and presentation of choreographic works by faculty, guest artists, MFA choreographers and in particular the New Directions concert featuring the works of our undergrads.
Click here for the Dance Major requirements
Productions
Dance students have the opportunity to perform in two fully produced dance concerts each academic year: WinterWorks, features choreography by faculty and guest artists and in the spring, students perform in the experimental choreographic works of other students in New Directions. In addition, UC San Diego's University Events Office, Art Power, presents an annual dance series with companies of international stature performing and providing master classes within the Theatre and Dance department.Dance Faculty
The Dance Faculty is composed of two full-time dance professionals of national and international recognition, eighteen part-time dance specialists and a rotation of world-renowned guest artists, who collectively provide an artistically and culturally diverse curriculum.
Click On The Articles Below To Read More About Our Full-Time Dance Faculty:
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Associate Professor
Ana María Alvarez
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Dance Professor Promotes Social Change
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About UC San Diego
The campus of UC San Diego sits on 1,200 acres of eucalyptus groves near the Pacific Ocean. Surrounding the campus is La Jolla, a picturesque community of boutiques, bistros, and businesses that enjoys a Mediterranean climate. San Diego is seven miles south of campus, with its world-acclaimed zoo, museums and theatres. Mexico is a 45-minute drive south, and Los Angeles is a 2-hour drive north.UC San Diego ranks fifth in federal funding for research and development and in the top ten of all doctoral degree-granting institutions in a National Research Council study. The intellectual climate is enhanced by a variety of social, educational, professional, political, religious, and recreational opportunities and services. Student housing, financial aid and scholarships are all available.


