Dance majors at the University of Southern Mississippi complete a structured, time-intensive program that combines physical training, academic coursework and formal evaluations. Despite the scope of the requirements, students report that others often misunderstand the difficulty of the major and assume it is less rigorous than other fields of study.
Grayson Blaylock, a dance major who has trained for 15 years, chose the major because he “didn’t want to leave it alone after high school.”
He wanted to continue studying what he enjoyed while pursuing a college degree. While some male dancers begin training after arriving at college, Blaylock said most dance majors have studied dance for much of their lives before enrolling.
The weekly schedule for dance majors includes technique classes, rehearsals and general education courses. Blaylock attends classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., which he considers a lighter schedule compared to a previous semester when his Wednesday classes ran from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. These hours do not include additional conditioning, such as warming up, cooling down or stretching. They also do not include homework assignments. Blaylock emphasized that “dance is still academic” and that students complete coursework in addition to studio requirements.
The program also includes juries, which are formal evaluations conducted by dance faculty. This semester, Blaylock will participate in sophomore juries, where faculty members evaluate students on a scale from one to five and provide written critiques, which is a lot of pressure for the students. According to Blaylock, preparation for juries begins early in the semester.
Blaylock says time commitment is one of the most challenging aspects of the major. Students spend significant time in rehearsals and practice outside of scheduled classes. He said dance majors are “always constantly in rehearsals or working to improve.”
The dance program is also relatively small. Blaylock said it is “a very small community,” which allows students to know one another individually and become familiar with each person’s strengths. He said he values being able to recognize classmates as unique individuals within the department. The size of the program means students work closely with the same peers and faculty throughout their four years.
Blaylock also addressed perceptions of the major. He said some people assume dance majors are “just playing around and twirling at the bar all day.” In reality, the program is “very rigorous” and requires sustained physical and academic effort. He added that he does not think dance is widely viewed as academic, despite research areas connected to the field. He referenced topics such as dance and disability studies, work involving autistic individuals and research on movement and dementia. He expressed interest in contributing to the academic and research-based aspects of dance, including dance medicine.
The dance program offers multiple career pathways. Some students pursue professional performance careers in ballet or contemporary companies. Blaylock said he plans to join a professional company, preferably in a contemporary or improvisational setting, and later pursue a master’s degree to become a professor. The department also offers a dance education track that provides K–12 licensure. Students in that pathway complete student teaching and are qualified to teach dance in schools after graduation.
Meg Brooker, director of the School of Performing and Visual Arts, said she believes dance majors are recognized for their work. She stated that they have faculty support and that the department works to create visibility for the program. According to Brooker, fall dance performances were all sold out.
She said, “We’re really incredibly proud of the work our students do both in the studio as dancers, as artists, as athletes, and also as some of the smartest students on campus, because they’re working at all levels and using a lot of different aptitudes for learning.”
Although the program receives administrative support and public attendance at performances, students like Blaylock report that misconceptions persist about the major. The formal juries, extended class hours and ongoing rehearsal requirements show that the degree involves sustained academic and physical demands. Dance majors complete evaluations, coursework and performance benchmarks that require preparation and faculty review, even if the format differs from lecture-based majors.