UVM's new major in dance is the first to be offered at a Vermont public college or university. The dance program offers students the opportunity to combine concentrated applied and experiential practice in composition and performance with the study of dance history, theory, and culture. The Bachelor of Arts degree with major in Dance is designed for students who wish to pursue dance studies within a liberal arts context. The degree is open to both students coming to UVM with prior dance training, and those who discover dance in college. The dance major emphasizes the combination of practice and theory. Students study, develop, and discover dance technique, improvisation, composition, history/theory, cultural dance forms, performance, and independent research/creative work inside a rigorous academic environment that prioritizes critical analysis, research, and writing. Unique attributes of the major include its inclusivity and the opportunity for students to self-design areas of focus or concentration. The major also provides opportunities to build important intersections between dance and other disciplines in the arts, humanities, health, social science, environmental studies, natural science, technology, education, etc., as well as connections with professional dance artists and organizations in Vermont.