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) is designed to provide initial K–12 dance teacher licensure preparation for individuals who hold an undergraduate degree in dance or a related field from a regionally accredited institution and wish to teach in K–12 public schools. The program is an approved North Carolina Educator Preparation Program (EPP) recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
The PBC program is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher licensure in dance education. It is especially well suited for working professionals who need the flexibility of distance education and summer study.
The program is competitive and may be completed only through part-time study, combining online courses at UNCG with summer on-campus study. We admit students to the PBC program each spring. We will admit the next class of students to the PBC Dance Education program in summer 2026. Students admitted in summer 2026 will begin coursework in the summer A term. The PBC Dance Program offers early admission for qualified students who apply before the final deadline. All applications must be submitted by April 1, 2026. Candidates for the program from North Carolina, as well as other states and countries, are welcome.
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.
Field experiences and student teaching are completed in approved public-school settings. Candidates who are employed as public-school dance teachers may be approved to complete required experiences 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. 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.
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.
If your Undergraduate GPA is below a 3.0, then a candidate has the option to take a graduate level course as a PBX in Dance Education 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 is a four-term certificate program that may be completed in approximately 15 months. The typical course sequence is 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. Licensure is awarded by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and is not guaranteed solely by completion of the certificate. Graduates who plan to teach outside North Carolina should consult the appropriate licensing agency in their state or territory because reciprocity and additional requirements vary.
The PBC follows a carefully sequenced four-term progression: Summer, Fall, Spring, and Summer. Because courses and field experiences build upon one another, students complete coursework in the established program sequence.
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 student-teaching placement with an experienced dance educator. Placements are determined according to program requirements and each candidate’s circumstances.
Optional Phase Two of Masters of Arts Degree in Dance Education
Masters of Arts Degree in Dance Education
Students who wish to pursue the Master of Arts in Dance Education while completing the PBC may apply separately to the MADE program. Up to 12 eligible PBC credits may be applied to the MADE degree, subject to Graduate School policies, applicable time limits, admission to MADE, and approval by the program.
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 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 program activities may require limited on-campus participation. Course delivery formats 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, and participating in online learning activities. Working professionals and students with other significant responsibilities should carefully consider whether their schedules allow for this commitment.
For additional information about the program, contact Dr. Mila Parrish, Director of Dance Education, 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.