University of South Florida

School of Theatre & Dance

College of Design, Art & Performance

Application Process and Program Fees, Paris Semester Program

Requirements and Application Process

This a rigorous course of study in dance technique, choreography, theory and application, so students should already be well-engaged in a reputable and dedicated course of study (pursuing either a BFA or BA in Dance degree) prior to their application.

Minimum requirements:

  • Students should have completed at least three semesters of a college dance degree prior to attending the program. The program does not accept first-year college students, however first-year college/university transfer students with an A.A. equivalent degree may apply if they meet the requirements. *Most students attend during the spring semester of their junior year of college.
  • Enrollment in at least 10 hours of a dedicated studio practice PER WEEK at home institution the fall semester prior to attending this program.
  • Advanced technical abilities in contemporary dance and ballet, and exposure to other major genres of dance. All students take all classes and workshops in Paris which include advanced levels of weekly contemporary and ballet classes.
  • One semester of college-level choreography.
  • Students must be at least 19 years of age by the time the program starts. The majority of students are 20+ years old in the program.

Students should provide detailed information in the initial application to give the selection committee the strongest possible indication of your candidacy.
A letter of recommendation will be mandatory for all non-USF dance major candidates applying to the program.
Priority will be given to students who have at least four semesters of a college/university dance degree experience, along with a demonstration of high technical rigor (i.e. a minimum of three ballet and three contemporary classes per week three semesters prior to application), academic (high GPA in the Dance major) and creative strength (evidence of choreographic works at the college or pre-professional and/or studio level).
Students may also be required to interview remotely with the Program’s director, Michael Foley.

How to Apply

Students wishing to apply to the USF Dance in Paris Semester Program must go through a multi-leveled application process toward final acceptance in the program.

  1. Students must fill out an initial application through USF’s Education Abroad Office providing details on their academic, technical and choreographic experience, as well as their motivation for attending the program. A letter of recommendation is required from students outside of USF and schools affiliated with the Dance in Paris Programs, although it does not have to be submitted with the inquiry application. 
  2. Once students are accepted into the program, they will be allowed to move on to the second part of the application process through USF Education Abroad. The USF Education Abroad application allows students to begin the formal registration process for the Semester Program, as well as providing non-USF students with a USF e-mail account and payment schedule.

Please be aware of the following dates:

  • September 26, 2025 (Friday): Applications for the Dance in Paris Semester Program will be accepted up until this date, but students are encouraged to apply early. 

  • September 29, 2025 (Monday): All students will be notified of the committee’s decision, although students who exceed the criteria and submit applications early may be contacted prior to this date. Non-USF students will need to apply as a non-degree seeking student in order to be given a USF net-ID, and then you will be directed to the USF Education Abroad website for the final application.

  • October 1, 2025: The deadline for all approved students to register through USF’s Education Abroad website where USF will approve completed applications is. Students will receive notification of next steps by October 3. 

  • For non-USF students who are accepted into the program, there is an October 1st deadline to apply to USF as a non-degree seeking student. There is a $30 application fee attached to that particular application.

  • October 10th: All students need to commit to the Semester Program.

 

Dance in Paris Semester Program Fees

Students will enroll in the program through USF Education Abroad’s traditional study abroad enrollment procedures once they are accepted into the program through the initial application process. USF Education Abroad will handle all program registration, course selection, enrollment, and payments.

The Program costs for the USF/DPSP are estimated at $17k - $19k, plus the cost of a minimum 13 credits of tuition*.

Included in the program’s costs/fees/tuition:

  • All academic instruction, including all tuition credits
  • Accommodation -  Students will be housed in a fully accessible/equipped student residence in a safe neighborhood with easy access to public transportation, grocery stores, bakeries and pharmacies. Each student will have their own room with bathroom (shower, toilet, sink), as well as efficiency kitchen (refrigerator, hot plate, microwave, sink).  The student residence also supplies bedding and kitchen supplies.
  • Admission for all cultural and performance events - Program students will see at least 25 performances during the semester and have free or discounted access to all of Paris’s major museums through their student visa.
  • Semester-long metro pass with access to all transportation within the Paris metro area.
  • Choreographic excursions to Berlin and Amsterdam, which covers student transportation, lodging, breakfast and lunch.
  • Airport transfers from Paris airports to the student residence at the beginning of the semester, as well as to Berlin and Amsterdam for the excursions.
  • Comprehensive medical and evacuation insurance**
  • Pre-departure and on-site orientations

 

Not Included:

  • Round-trip airfare to Paris
  • Passport fee and mandatory visa for a stay in France of longer than 90 days
  • Meals and any personal expenses (about $1,500 - $2,000 for the semester)

 

Financing Your Study Abroad Experience:

Information about financial aid and scholarships will be available through USF Education Abroad, but students should also contact their home institution’s Financial Aid office to see what funds can be applied to this program. The earlier students start this process, the easier it is to identify and apply the financial help required to fund their study abroad experience. 

If you are on financial aid at your institution, make sure you fill out your FAFSA on-time.  
You should schedule to meet one-on-one with someone in the Financial Aid office to make a readjustment to your spring semester allocation/aid package.  You will need to ask for the most amount of money you can receive based on USF Education Abroad’s worksheet (program fee, tuition, costs for airline, food, etc.), even if it is more than you plan to spend on the program.

Planning for your time in Paris means making other kinds of adjustments to your budget, which include not being able to work for the entire time you are in Paris, so if you count on using some of your financial aid to live off -- you should figure that into your aid package.   The Financial Aid Office can also offer things like subsidized loans (no interest until after graduation) or other kind of grants.

*Note: There may be a higher per-credit tuition cost for out-of-state students than in-state Florida students.

**USF provides study abroad program participants with insurance coverage for sickness, accident, hospitalization, and emergency medical evacuation. This coverage is extended to program participants for the dates of the program.  Those who plan to travel independently, in advance of or after the program, must arrange their own insurance coverage.