Students regularly participate in the American College Dance Festival and may perform with the two student dance companies – the Oakland Dance Theatre and Oakland University Repertory Dance Company. The Eisenhower Dance Ensemble also is in residence at the university, and students have the opportunity to apprentice and perform with this professional company.

With concerts, classes and a vigorous enrichment program, graduates of OU’s dance program possess energy, enthusiasm and a top-notch education. They tap their creative and intellectual potential through interaction with faculty, guest artists and other students, and they graduate from the program prepared for a myriad of careers including performer, teacher or graduate student.

• Bachelor of Fine Arts
  The BFA degree in dance is geared to the student who wishes to concentrate on performance and choreography. The curriculum focuses on developing the necessary skill set for performance in contemporary dance and other dance styles as well as proficiency in choreography of both solo and group work. Through the course of study the BFA student will reach an achievement level in performance and choreography which would allow them to pursue careers in the professional dance world. The program will train the student to analyze, communicate and interpret information in relation to dance as history, technique in a variety of genres, somatic and kinesiological science, performance studies and repertory.
   
• Bachelor of Arts in Dance
  The BA degree in dance is geared to provide the student with a broad based curriculum specializing in dance but also providing more electives outside of dance than the BFA. The course of study will develop critical thinking skills, communication and the ability to interpret information both in the dance field and in other areas of interest. The degrees focuses the student on a liberal arts degree which can train the student to apply the skill set to broader fields of dance such as arts administration and/or the business of dance.

• Teaching Minor in Dance
  The teaching minor in dance is for students who want to pursue K-12 certification. Students must complete a minimum of 29 dance credits.

Each academic degree program and minor requires students to audition to be admitted.