Wayne State University
Dance (Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance) · College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts
- Where
- Detroit, MI
- Degrees
- BFA · BA · Minor · MA
- Contemporary
- Modern
- Ballet
- African
- west_african
- Tap
- Jazz
- Hip-Hop
About the Program
The Dance Program in the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance at Wayne State University prepares students for professional careers as performing artists, choreographers, dance teachers, and informed dance audience members. The curriculum integrates applied and theoretical principles of movement with the newest forms and ideas in contemporary dance performance, choreography, and dance education. Undergraduate majors maintain enrollment in modern/contemporary and ballet technique each semester, with additional training in African and African-diasporic forms. Located in Detroit, Michigan, the program offers a professional-track BFA, a flexible BS, and a dance minor, plus a graduate MA in Theatre and Dance.
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
Bachelor of Science in Dance
Dance Minor
Master of Arts in Theatre and Dance (Teaching Artistry)
CourseworkRepresentative courses and the shape of the curriculum.
BFA requires minimum 120 credits with at least 80 in dance. Technique training includes contemporary modern and classical ballet plus African and African-diasporic forms. The MA is a joint Theatre and Dance degree. IPEDS shows doctoral dance completions but no standalone dance PhD was confirmed.
Performance Opportunities
Students perform through Dance Company, Repertory, and Performance Tour courses (9 required BFA credits). The department stages main-stage productions and student choreography (e.g., "The Idea of the Fall" by a 2020 graduate).
Rankings & AlumniWhere the program ranks and the alumni it has produced.
Rankings
Wayne State University's dance programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), per the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (as of July 2026).
Want to Learn More?
Continue on Wayne State University's official site.
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