Performing Arts Degree
If you plan to pursue a career or four-year degree in theatre, dance, or other performing arts, start with MC's performing arts degree.
This degree provides a fundamental course of study and training for students who plan to complete a bachelor's degree, expect to enter a professional training program in theatre or dance, or wish to seek professional employment in theatre, dance, or related areas.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Discuss the importance of dance, theatre, or music as performing arts situated in cultural, historical, and aesthetic contexts.
- Employ the specialized vocabulary of dance, theatre, or music as it applies to history and current professional practice.
- Analyze components of dance, theatre, or music in order to make informed aesthetic choices.
- Demonstrate mastery of skills and techniques required to produce or perform a work of dance, theatre, or music according to standards of professional and safe practice.
Program Advising
Meet with your academic advisor regularly to discuss your academic plans and make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer.
Transfer Opportunities
MC has a long history of successfully preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions. See all transfer agreements.
Careers
For some positions listed, a bachelor's degree or higher may be required. Use the Career and Program Explorer to see a full report for this career field. See links below chart for further guidance and/or connect with a Program Advisor to discuss career goals.
Some careers in this field include actors, producers, and directors, among others.
- MC Student Employment Services: Speak with the Student Employment Specialist for help with resume writing, interviewing, setting up a College Central Network (CCN)new window account and other job search topics.
- Career Coach: Explore Career Coach to learn more about this career and/or discover related majors and in-demand careers based on your current interests! Take a Career Assessment and then browse careers and job opportunities in the area.
Curriculum
A suggested course sequence for students follows.
- All students should review the advising guide and consult an advisor.
- Find out about related programs and course in the Fields of Study section.
- Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order.
- All degree-seeking students must take a central group of General Education courses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. These courses are included in the suggested course sequence below.
Suggested Course Sequence
Students should complete the required English and Math foundation courses within the first 24 credit hours. All students should review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.
First Semester
- ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours
- Mathematics Foundation 3 semester hours (MATF)
- DANC 100 - Introduction to Dance 3 semester hours (GEIR)
-
OR
- THET 100 - Introduction to the Theatre 3 semester hours (GEIR)
- THET 110 - Fundamentals of Acting 3 semester hours (ARTD)
- Program Elective 3 semester hours ††
Second Semester
- ENGL 102 - Critical Reading, Writing, and Research 3 semester hours (ENGF)
- COMM 108 - Foundations of Human Communication 3 semester hours (GEIR)
-
OR
- COMM 112 - Business and Professional Speech Communication 3 semester hours (GEIR)
- MUSC 188 - Performing Arts Production 1-3 semester hours
-
OR
- THET 188 - Performing Arts Production 1-3 semester hours
- Natural Sciences Distribution with Lab 4 semester hours (NSLD)
- Program Elective 3 semester hours ††
Third Semester
- THET 114 - Stagecraft I 3 semester hours
- THET 205 - Movement for the Performer 3 semester hours
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (BSSD)**
- Program Elective 3 semester hours ††
- Program Elective 3 semester hours ††
Fourth Semester
- ENGL 230 - Introduction to Modern Drama 3 semester hours (HUMD) †
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (BSSD) **
- Natural Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (NSND)
- Program Elective 3 semester hours ††
- Program Elective 3 semester hours ††
* ENGL 101/ENGL 101A if needed for ENGL 102/ENGL 103, or any program elective.
** Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution courses (BSSD) must come from different disciplines.
† May substitute other 200-level Humanities Distribution course.
‡ Course must be taken for a minimum of 2 credits.
‡‡ Select 18 credits from the following based on your advising pathway (Performance, Production, Dance, or Musical Theatre): COMM 109; DANC 101, DANC 102, DANC 103, DANC 104, DANC 105, DANC 106, DANC 107, DANC 201, DANC 203, DANC 204, DANC 205, MUSC 147, MUSC 148, MUSC 194, THET 118, THET 122, THET 125, THET 201, THET 208, THET 216, THET 225, THET 230, THET 237. At least 6 program elective credits must be in 200-level courses.
One of the distribution or elective courses must fulfill the Global and Cultural Perspectives requirement.
How To Apply and Register
Related Programs and Courses
Students who major in general studies explore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.
Find out about performing arts classes in Workforce Development and Continuing Education's Community Arts Program.