College of Visual and Performing Arts | Dance | Dance Degrees and Programs | MA Overview | Pbc teacher licensure
Pbc teacher licensure
MA in Dance Programs
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in DANCE EDUCATION (PBC) WITH INITIAL K-12 DANCE TEACHER LICENSURE
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Dance Education (PBC) prepares individuals who hold an undergraduate degree in dance or a related field to pursue initial K-12 dance teacher licensure. The program is an approved North Carolina Educator Preparation Program (EPP) recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Designed for working professionals, the PBC combines online coursework with field experiences in approved school settings. Some courses or program activities may require limited on-campus participation. Course delivery formats, meeting times, and any on-campus expectations will be communicated to students in advance.
The next PBC cohort will begin in Summer 2027. Applications are now being accepted and must be submitted by April 1, 2027. Students entering in Summer 2027 will begin with DCE 655 and DCE 660, both offered online. Prospective students are encouraged to apply early to allow sufficient time for application review, admission, advising, and summer registration. Applicants from North Carolina, other states, and other countries are welcome.
The PBC follows a four-term sequence: Summer, Fall, Spring, and Summer, and may be completed in approximately 15 months. Students entering from fields outside dance education may be required to complete prerequisite coursework. Although the program is designed to accommodate working professionals, students must participate in field experiences and full-time student teaching in high-quality, inclusive school settings.
Candidates who are employed as public-school dance teachers may be approved to complete required field experiences and student teaching in their own classrooms. Candidates who are not currently employed in an appropriate school setting will work with the program to secure an approved placement.
Application
Application materials must include a statement of interest, official academic transcripts, and three letters of recommendation, including at least one academic reference. The GRE is not required.
Applications for Summer 2027 are now being accepted and must be submitted by April 1, 2027. Prospective students are encouraged to apply early to allow sufficient time for application review, admission, advising, and summer registration.
Applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 may have the option to take an approved graduate-level Dance Education course through UNCG’s VISIONS program. Candidates who earn a B or higher in the approved course may be considered eligible to apply to the PBC program. Admission is not guaranteed, and all candidates must submit a complete application for review. Admitted students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA throughout the program.
For complete requirements and additional information, please visit the University Catalog page for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Dance Education with Initial K-12 Dance Teacher Licensure.
Frequently Asked Questions
The PBC program is designed for working dance teachers from any state in the United States who need to obtain an initial K-12 teaching license in dance, as well as dance professionals who wish to earn initial licensure to teach dance in public schools.
The PBC is designed to be completed in approximately 15 months through a four-term course sequence: Summer, Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Successful completion of the PBC program makes candidates eligible to apply for initial North Carolina K-12 dance teacher licensure. Licenses are issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and are not guaranteed solely through completion of the certificate. Graduates who plan to teach outside North Carolina should consult the appropriate licensing agency in their state or territory because licensure reciprocity and additional requirements vary.
The PBC follows a carefully sequenced four-term progression: Summer, Fall, Spring, and Summer. Because the courses and field experiences build upon one another, students must follow the established sequence and cannot condense the program into a shorter completion timeline.
Candidates who are already teaching dance full-time in an approved public-school setting may be permitted to complete student teaching in their own classrooms. Candidates who are not employed in an appropriate school setting will work with the program to secure an approved placement with an experienced dance educator. All placements must meet program and licensure requirements and are determined according to each candidate’s professional setting and individual circumstances.
Optional Phase Two of Masters of Arts Degree in Dance Education
Masters of Arts Degree in Dance Education
Students who complete UNCG’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Dance Education may apply up to 12 eligible credits toward the MADE degree only when the programs are pursued concurrently or when the student transitions directly from the PBC into MADE without a break in enrollment. Students must apply separately and be admitted to the MADE program. All credits remain subject to program approval, applicable time limits, and Graduate School policies.
Minimum Program Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in dance or a related field and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 should refer to the alternative admission pathway described in the Application section.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of the program makes candidates eligible to apply for initial North Carolina K-12 dance teacher licensure. Graduates may pursue employment in public schools and other educational settings that require or value licensed dance educators.
Research Interests
Faculty who teach in the certificate program engage in research on topics such as the preparation of dance educators, interdisciplinary and integrated instruction, cognition and somatics, developmental learning in dance, and Laban Movement Analysis.
Program of Study
The PBC requires 24 graduate credit hours and a full-time student-teaching placement.
Most PBC students are full-time educators who take approximately two graduate courses each term. The program follows a four-term sequence beginning in the summer and may be completed in approximately 15 months. Because individual circumstances and prerequisite requirements vary, students should consult with the Director of Dance Education to develop an appropriate plan of study.
Most coursework is offered online. Some courses or program activities may require limited on-campus participation. Course delivery formats, meeting times, and any on-campus expectations will be communicated to students in advance. During the academic year, students should expect to devote substantial time to reading, completing assignments, participating in online learning activities, and completing field experiences.
For additional information about the program, contact Dr. Mila Parrish, Director of Dance Education, at mlparri4@uncg.edu.
Notice:
The U.S. Department of Education requires that all higher education institutions advise students as to whether their educational curriculum meets the standards required for a professional teaching license/certificate in the state or U.S. territory where they plan to teach.
Professional licensure notice Please review UNC Greensboro’s status by state or U.S. territory for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate or Master of Arts in Dance Education. The resource indicates whether each program meets or does not meet the curricular requirements for a license or certificate in the selected state or U.S. territory. Contact Dr. Mila Parrish at mlparri4@uncg.edu with questions about these data.