College for working dancers.

Although there are many great university dance programs, dancers often enter their professional careers without a college degree. I am among those whose eagerness to begin dancing forced an absence from academia after high school. 

But a dancer's career is short, and the benefit of a degree can have a profound effect on transitioning into the civilian workforce. Certainly going back to college after a dance career is an option, but now there are also programs which enable dancers to continue working in their professions while going to school.

One great option is a program called LEAP- Liberal Education for Artistic Professionals. It is a program affiliated with  St. Mary's College in California; a small, private liberal arts college. Over 300 dancers have obtained their degrees through the LEAP program in LA, San Francisco, and New York. There are also plans to expand the program to Las Vegas and Chicago.

The LEAP website states, "Founded in 1999, LEAP makes it possible for these working adults to receive a comprehensive liberal arts education and earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary's College in 3 to 4 years of part-time study. Courses are offered at convenient times and locations and the program's flexibility encourages dancers to pursue individual interests and explore different disciplines. Our alumni have continued on to graduate studies and successful new careers in a variety of fields."

For more information, email leap@st-marys-ca.edu or call 866-306-0395. Or you can post a comment or email me as I am a proud student in the program and intend to graduate next spring!