How to Pick a Second Major or Minor Alongside Dance

The question of whether — and how — to pursue academic study alongside dance training is one that many students arrive at college without having thought about carefully. They've spent the application process focused on getting into a program, and the question of what they'll do with the academic side of their education once they're there hasn't gotten the same attention.

It deserves more.

The case for a second major or minor

The professional dance career is long and varied — but it is also, for most dancers, eventually finite as a full-time performance career. The dancers who sustain meaningful professional lives over time are almost always the ones who have developed identities and capabilities that extend beyond performance.

Choreography. Teaching. Arts administration. Physical therapy. Writing. Film. Design. The professional dance world contains multitudes — and the dancers who move fluidly through different roles within that world have more sustainable and satisfying careers than those who are only prepared for the performance dimension of it.

A second major or minor, pursued thoughtfully alongside dance training, can build toward any of those directions. It develops a different set of thinking muscles. It gives you something to fall back on in the short term and something to grow toward in the long term. And for many students, it provides an intellectual dimension to the college experience that pure conservatory training doesn't offer.

What pairs well with dance

The right second area of study depends on what you're genuinely interested in and what direction you want your career to eventually take. But some pairings come up consistently for good reasons.

Kinesiology or exercise science pairs naturally with dance for students interested in physical therapy, athletic training, somatic practices, or the science of movement and injury prevention. This is one of the most practically useful pairings for a professional dance career — the knowledge directly applies to maintaining your own body and eventually to working with other dancers.

Arts administration or nonprofit management pairs well for students who can see themselves in leadership roles within arts organizations — running companies, directing programs, managing venues. The performing arts world needs people who understand both the art and the business of running it.

Education pairs well for students who want to teach — whether in K-12 settings, community programs, or higher education. Teaching is one of the most common and sustainable career paths for professional dancers, and having a formal education background alongside performance training makes you a stronger candidate for teaching positions.

Film or media studies pairs well for students interested in screen work, dance on camera, video production, or the growing intersection of dance and digital media. The entertainment industry increasingly values dancers who understand the medium they're working in.

Writing or communications pairs well for students who are interested in arts criticism, dance journalism, program development, grant writing, or any of the communication-heavy roles within arts organizations.

Music pairs well for students with strong musical backgrounds who want to develop that dimension of their artistry — and for MT students in particular, where musical sophistication directly supports performance work.

What to consider practically

At conservatory programs, the intensity of the dance curriculum may leave limited room for substantial outside coursework. Be honest about whether a second major is feasible given the program's workload, or whether a minor is more realistic.

At university-based BFA programs, the broader academic environment often makes a second major or minor genuinely possible. Take advantage of it — the interdisciplinary thinking it develops is genuinely valuable.

Talk to students who are already in the programs you're considering about how they've approached the academic side of their education. The picture you get from them will be more realistic than the curriculum description on the program's website.

Book a free call at dancingincollege.com to discuss your college planning.