Dance majors may elect to obtain state Teacher Certification to teach dance at the elementary and secondary levels. Students in this program receive certification to teach dance in grades K-12 in the public schools in Maryland and reciprocal states.
Admission to the K-12 Certification Option and student teaching requires: 1) admission to the university; 2) admission to the major; 3) a personal interview; 4) completion of a Criminal Background Disclosure Form that must be notarized and kept on file in the Center for Professional Practice (CPP); 5) completion of a criminal background check that must be kept on file in the CPP before the student enters into an intensive/extensive internship or student teaching experience in a public of private school setting (pre-K through 12); 6) passing score on the Praxis I examination; and 7) successful completion of the speech and hearing test.
The program leads to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and Education (K-12).
Mission and Outcomes for K-12 Dance Certification at Towson University
Mission
The K-12 Certification in Dance advocates dancing for a lifetime by challenging students to facilitate dance education for diverse and inclusive communities.
Outcomes for the Dance Education Department at Towson University
Students will be able to discuss a basic theoretical and funcatinal body of nolwedge and the methods of inquiry for performing, teaching and composing dances.
Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the planning, delivery and evaluation of standars of Dance Education.
Students will be able to model an aesthetic, artistic and instrumental proficiency and or mastery of Ballet and Modern Dance commensurate with the BFA degree at Towson University.
Students will be able to design developmentally appropriate curriculum that promotes individuality through creativity, expressivity, and embodied dance responses.
Students will consistently practice and assess the Essential Dispositions for Teachers as compiled by Towson University and its accrediting agencies for teacher certification candidates.
The K-12 State Teaching Certificate in Dance is awarded to Towson University Dane Majors who have elected the certification track of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. It is a state approved program meeting state content requirements in the subject area as well as the six credit (6) reading content mandate for all K-12 certificates.
Admission to the program is a three-phase process comprised of 1) Admission to the University, 2) Acceptance by audition into the Dance Department's Foundational Year, and 3) Completion of the Foundational Year with a "B" cumulative GPA.
The K-12 Certification Track is a 4-1/2 year program concluding within a 15 week internship in the public schools. Admission to the internship is contingent upon 1) completion of the BFA and Certificate curriculum with a 2.75 GPA in the major and a 2.5 GPA overall, 2) passing score on the Praxis 1, 3) criminal background check, and 4) adherence to the standards for teacher certifcation established by the Towson University Teacher Education Executive Board (TEEB).
Eligibility for Financial Aid in the Ninth Term
The Towson University Financial Aid Office assigns financial advisors to students based on their last name. Please call 410-704-4236 to check if you are eligible to receive federal and state aid in your ninth term (student teaching for the K-12 certification option) at Towson University.
Post-baccalaureate Certification
Option
For students who have completed a bachelor’s degree
in dance, the Department of Dance offers a post-baccalaureate program leading to
Maryland K-12 certification in dance. Prospective students interested in this
option need to contact the department to set up an appointment with the program
coordinator to have their transcript(s) analyzed and a program of student
developed based upon state certification and departmental requirements.
Department of Dance
Center for the Arts, Room 1002
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
"Half of our B.F.A. dance majors choose to add the K-12 certification option for a ninth term. Method courses begin with Dance Education cohort groups in the sophomore or junior year."
– Jaye Knutson
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
