Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography

at Shorelight Group - Towson University USA

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Business Administration (BUAD) requires a minimum of 120 earned units, which must include successful completion of the Core Curriculum requirements, the BUAD requirements and electives. BUAD requirements include 50-51 units of required business courses and 21-24 units in one of the following concentrations or tracks: Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Leadership and Management, Marketing, or Project Management and Business Analysis. The electives may include the units required for a minor or specialization program, or in a foreign language for the B.A.

The program provides advanced study in the theory of writing, writing techniques and style, principles/techniques of editing, and the functions of written communication within the professional/occupational setting. Courses aim to develop the communication skills of people seeking to enter or to advance in occupations requiring extensive writing and/or the analysis and reporting of data. Students choose from tracks in writing for the public and private sectors, technical writing and information design, teaching writing, journalistic writing, scientific writing and creative writing.

• Use a working critical vocabulary to do textual and ethnographic analyses of cultural phenomena, showing an understanding of both verbal and visual texts, students own everyday experience, and the inter-relatedness of social, political, historical, and economic components of their worlds.
• Through writing, convey an understanding of a variety of critical strategies (e.g. semiotics, content analysis, structuralism) applicable to cultural studies cross-disciplinary core.
• Acquire the habits and attitudes of an inquiring mind, for looking into questions of culture in ways that resonate with students’ lives and finally even beyond these lives, into an awareness of ethical, cognitive, and emotional issues that may at first seem foreign to their own systems of cultural values.
• Evaluate critically the sources and content of information. This goal is listed among the Middle States Commission on Higher Education Expectations Regarding Information Literacy and Technological Competency.
• Understanding and applying relevant discipline-specific methodologies and strategies of inquiry.
• Engaging intellectually and seeking to understand the experiences and views of people with different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, whether in their own country or abroad.

The B.F.A. Dance Performance major prepares students for entry into the professional world of dance as skilled technicians, creative artists, and independent thinkers. The dance performance courses offer students the option of refining skills for the stage acquired in technique classes.

Towson University Dance students will:     

• Synthesize expressive range, stylistic versatility, and rigorous standards within healthy technical achievement and somatic understanding;
• Analyze, intuit, deliver and evaluate the creative process for original dance choreography;
• Demonstrate oral and written skills, critical thinking in aesthetic language and historical/world view perspectives;
• Recognize, choose and demonstrate leadership skills.

The Master of Science in Actuarial Science and Predictive Analytics (ASPA) will prepare students to succeed in a market landscape that has greatly adopted risk management practices and data analytics. The program combines theory, practice and predictive modeling, providing students with critical analytical tools that will enable them to have the right skills to succeed in the marketplace and continue to be industry leaders. The program reflects Towson University’s mission, vision and strategic plan and it is designed to:

• Build an interdisciplinary foundation in actuarial science with emerging technology, predictive modeling and curricular content that encourages “thinking critically and meaningfully.” 
• Provide select, high quality programs in professional fields where there is evidence both of need and of corresponding institutional strength. The Master of Science degree in Actuarial Science and Predictive Analytics will produce graduates who can meet the challenges of the actuarial profession today, prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow, and ultimately “enrich the culture, society, economy and environment of Maryland, the region, and beyond.”
• Provide the most current and advanced skill sets and knowledge in the Actuarial Science professional career that align with national trends and span the areas of STEM, business, and finance education.
• Engage students in Maryland, serving communities’ needs and providing our students with varied internship and service learning opportunities through industry relationships, networking opportunities, a capstone and professional practices course and a recommended internship.
• Empower students to achieve their career goals and “enrich the culture, society, economy and environment of Maryland, the region, and beyond” through a careful curricular plan that targets a student’s academic growth while seeking required experiences needed to support career outcomes.

Both full-time and part-time students are encouraged to enroll in the program. Core courses are usually offered in the evening, for the convenience of part-time students.

In addition to the Core Curriculum requirements, Foreign Languages majors in the French Concentration must complete 30 units with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher in French beyond the intermediate level. Of the 30 units, at least 15 units must be taken at Towson University.

The Psychology major requires 3-4 units in prerequisite coursework and 44 units in psychology (47-48 units total) with a grade equivalent of 2.00 in all courses. No “Pass” grades are accepted for the 44 units in psychology. All students must satisfy the relevant prerequisites for individual psychology courses taken.

The Mass Communication major consists of three tracks: Advertising, Journalism, and Strategic Public Relations. Students must complete one of the three tracks. Many students complete two of the three tracks and some complete all three.

Students who complete the Mass Communication major will have many career options, especially in the broadly defined fields of print, broadcast and online journalism, advertising, and strategic public relations. Majors are expected to learn how the various fields in mass communication are structured and function.

Foreign Languages majors in the French Education Concentration are eligible to apply for certification to teach French in Maryland upon graduation.  In addition to the Core Curriculum requirements and the requirements specified by the Department of Secondary and Middle School Education, students must complete 30 units. Students must contact the Department of Secondary and Middle School Education about admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Students who decide not to complete all education requirements must select and complete a different concentration/track in the major in order to graduate.

Majors who are in the Teacher Education Program are required to take Advanced Grammar and Method of Teaching a Foreign Language before internship. Students are also required to complete the Oral Proficiency Interview and the Writing Proficiency Test. They are required to achieve a level of “Advanced Low" in the Oral Proficiency Interview. 

The Department of Theatre Arts offers a B.A./B.S. in Theatre Arts with a track in either Design and Production or Theatre Studies.

Design and Production Track

The Design and Production track provides a broad foundation in all areas of theatre design and technical production, while preparing the student for graduate study or entry-level professional work in scenic, costume, lighting, or sound design, or technical direction, construction and support. Faculty mentors guide qualified students through design and production projects of increasing responsibility, ­culminating in mainstage designs and leadership production positions for the most advanced students.

The Design and Production Track has an excellent record of preparing students for internship, graduate programs and career opportunities.

Theatre Studies Track

The Theatre Studies track integrates academic inquiry and performance exploration through a comprehensive study of the art of theatre in relation to multiple communities, from local to global. This well-rounded curriculum will provide a strong foundation for graduate study or entry-level professional work to students with interests in areas such as directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, theatre administration or stage management. It is also an excellent choice for students who wish to apply their theatre skills to other fields such as education, law or business.