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 Degree in Dance Education (PBC) is designed to provide initial teacher certification in pre K-12 Dance Education to individuals who have an undergraduate degree in dance or a related field from a regionally accredited university and a desire to work in K-12 classrooms. The PBC in Dance program, which includes K-12 dance teacher licensure, is an approved and authorized NC EPP program recognized by the NCDPI. The PBC program is designed for anyone seeking initial teaching certification in dance education. This program is ideal for working professionals who need to work from a distance and during summer.
The program may be completed only through part-time study, combining online courses at UNCG and summer study on campus. We admit students into the PBC program each spring. We will be admitting the next class of students to the PBC in Dance Education program in summer 2025, students admitted in Summer 2025 will begin course work in the summer A term. The program is competitive, and the application deadline is April 1, 2025. Candidates for the program from North Carolina, as well as other states and countries, are welcomed.
The PBC program can be completed in four semesters with students enrolling in coursework in the following progression: Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer. Students applying from fields other than dance education may be required to take pre-requisite courses during the program. Students are able to work full time while completing this program. Students are required to participate in field experiences and full-time student teaching in high-quality inclusive settings. These experiences are completed in public school settings arranged by the student and approved by the Director of Dance Education. Students may be required to leave their jobs to complete this aspect of the program in one of these settings. Several PBC courses [including DCE 663 Pre K-12 Dance Education Practicum Student Teaching] meet online one evening a week from (6:30-8:00pm).
APPLICATION
Applications must include a statement of interest, academic transcripts, and three letters of recommendation, including at least one academic reference. No GRE is required.
Applications for Summer 2025 are due April 1, 2025.
If your Undergraduate GPA is below a 3.0, then a candidate has the option to take a graduate level course as a visiting student in the UNCG Visions Program. If the candidate earns a “B” or higher in this course, they will be considered eligible for admission to the MA DE program. Admission is not guaranteed and students must submit a full application for review for admission. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA during the program.
For Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Dance Education (PBC) with Initial K-12 Dance Teacher Licensure information see the University Catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
The PBC program is designed for working dance teachers from any state in the US who are currently teaching in public schools and need to obtain a K-12 Initial teaching license, or working professionals in the field of dance who wish to obtain a teaching license to teach in public schools.
The PBC program is 4 semester 15-20 month certification program.
The PBC program walks students through the process of obtaining an initial North Carolina Teaching License in K-12 dance education. If a student does not intend to teach in North Carolina schools, they simply transfer their license to their home state upon completion of the program. This process varies from state to state but is typically a straightforward transfer.
Our PBC coursework is designed for a four-term progression: Summer, Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Because of the scaffolded design, PBC students register for their coursework following an established curricular sequence.
For a PBC student who is already teaching dance full-time in a public institution, the practicum may be completed in their own classroom. If a student is not yet working in public schools, they will be placed in a student teaching internship with an experienced dance teacher to complete their practicum. Internships are assigned based on an individual student’s needs and interests.
OPTIONAL PHASE TWO OF MASTERS OF ARTS DEGREE IN DANCE EDUCATION
MASTERS OF ARTS DEGREE IN DANCE EDUCATION
Students wishing to pursue the Masters of Arts Degree in Dance Education upon completion of the PBC initial dance teacher licensure program may complete an optional Phase Two: MA DE program (minimum 24 credit hours with 12 hours of credit transferred from the PBC licensure certificate). Students that chose to complete both phases will complete a minimum total of 36 hours.
MINIMUM PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in dance or a related field and Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible for employment in a variety of settings, including public schools as a K-12 dance teacher.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Faculty who teach in the certificate program engage in research on topics such as: preparation of dance educators, interdisciplinary and integrated instruction, cognition and somatics, developmental learning in dance and Laban Movement Analysis.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
24 credit hours
Full-Time Student Teaching placement
Most students enrolled in the PBC program are full-time educators in schools, taking two graduate courses each semester and two to three courses during the summer beginning in mid-June. The minimum time required to complete the PBC degree is 4 semesters or 15 months. The Graduate School allows five years for the completion of a master’s degree.
All courses are taught online; most are currently available only in a two year rotation. During the academic school year, students should expect to spend a substantial amount of time reading and attending to assignments in front of a computer. Those employed full-time, who have other significant responsibilities, should consider whether their schedules allow for such a commitment. A number of the courses involve developing lesson/unit plans and working with one’s own students in a dance education setting.
Contact Mila Parrish, Director of Dance Education, if you are interested in the program 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.
As such, please review UNC Greensboro’s status by state/U.S. territory for the Post-Baccalaureate or Master of Arts Degree in Dance Education. You should note whether this degree either “meets” or “does not meet” the curricular requirements for a license/certificate in the chosen state or U.S. territory. Contact Dr. Mila Parrish at Mlparri4@uncg.edu with any questions regarding these data.