Pitt Education Introduces a Revamped Dance Minor
Beginning in fall 2024, students interested in dance education, performance, and production can enroll in the updated dance minor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.
Offered through the Department of Health and Human Development, the new dance minor provides more options for students to tailor their learning based on their academic and career interests.
“Students are busier than ever, and they need more choice and voice in how they can incorporate credentials such as minors into their studies,” says Sally Sherman, associate professor of practice and dance minor program coordinator at Pitt Education. “Students can navigate the minor in a way that meets their strengths and allows them to engage with our top faculty in science classes like anatomy or nutrition.”
The new dance minor lowers the required credits from 18 to 15 and offers more options for how students can complete the program. Students can choose more upper level technique classes such as Ballet 2 or Jazz 2, or they can select courses that focus on the science and teaching of different forms of movement like yoga or Pilates. The program also offers opportunities to learn how group exercise and dance can be used as recreational and therapeutic modalities in health-fitness settings.
Additionally, the dance minor removes rules about strict dress codes and auditions for upper level technique classes in order to promote greater inclusivity and a more welcoming environment for students.
Sherman notes that the updates align with Pitt Education’s mission of promoting equity and well-being for all learners, while also adapting to shifts in the job market for dance and dance education.
“While the previous program emphasized performance and production, the new minor focuses on creating well-rounded dancers who can educate movement from a science perspective and make themselves more marketable for jobs outside of performance,” says Sherman. “Coming at dance from a movement science approach creates high-quality educators and practitioners who can go on to do great things in the world.”
Sherman says the changes provide a greater connection to the school’s exercise science curriculum, which opens up pathways for Pitt students to engage with the Department of Health and Human Development. The minor also enables students in the Bachelor of Science (BS) in exercise science program to earn an additional credential to enrich their learning and job prospects.
Isabella Pasqualucci (BS ‘20, MS ‘21) completed the dance minor during her time in the BS in exercise science program. The experience led her to Pitt Education’s Master of Science in clinical exercise physiology program, where she taught a variety of fitness classes as a graduate student assistant.
“The dance minor program gives many opportunities to interact with different groups of people and to better yourself as an instructor,” says Pasqualucci. “I enjoyed learning how to be a stronger educator and leader in the physical activity and fitness industry.”
Pasqualucci says the dance minor helped her develop skills in being more open-minded and thinking outside the box, which have been beneficial to her career in exercise physiology.
“I would recommend the dance minor to those who have a passion for movement and an active lifestyle, and those who want to continue on living and preaching a healthy life,” says Pasqualucci. “It is also great for those who want to become future educators, whether that be in a classroom or in a fitness environment.
