Dance programs teach people to express ideas and feelings through movement and dance performance. Students learn choreography and dance notation. They study steps related to ballet, modern, and folk dance. They also study the histories of music and dance and learn how each form conveys various emotions and meanings.

To describe dance, many people have compared it to other art forms. "Dancing is the poetry of the foot" (John Dryden). "Dance is music made visible" (George Balanchine). But if you believe that dance is an art form worthy of its own name, then this may be the program of study for you.

All cultures, ancient to contemporary, have celebrated and commemorated with dance. Early tribal dances evolved into folk dances. Folk dances became stylized into European court dances of the 16th century. Ballet was refined from courtly dance with choreography. Modern dance emerged in the 20th century to convey images, ideas, and feelings in revolutionary ways.

People dance to express enjoyment, emotion, and religious feeling. They dance to compete, to invoke magic and healing, to perform for others, and even to exercise. Whatever your reason for dancing, you can nurture your love for this art form by pursuing this program of study.

As a student of dance, you learn and develop different dancing techniques and forms. You might take courses in ballet, tap dance, jazz dance, or other genres. You also study the history of dance to better understand how dance has evolved.

Depending on your program, you could take courses in the science of dance. You learn about the anatomy and science of movement. You study the written notations that describe dance movements. You also get a chance to develop your choreographic and improvisational skills.

A background in dance prepares you not just for dance performance. You could also prepare to teach dance, research the history of dance, manage your own studio, or even run a dance-related agency.

Many colleges and universities offer programs that lead to bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees in dance. Community colleges and independent schools of the performing arts also provide training in dance and choreography.

In general, a bachelor's degree takes about four years of full-times study after high school and a master's degree about two years after that. To pursue a doctoral degree, you usually need about three to four additional years.