Dance Degrees & Certificates


Associate Degree


Dance – A.A. Degree

The Associate in Arts Degree in Dance is designed for dance students whose career goals are focused on the dance performance and choreography industry, dance concert production & promotion, and other commercial related ventures. Students will explore aspects of the dance production process including virtual dance performance, commercial concert dance/choreography & performance, stage lighting for dance, costume & make-up, marketing, dance repertoire preservation, and dance on film. Some careers require further training plus additional education. Please consult with your Dance AA advisor, Department Chair of Dance for more information on K-Post Secondary Education requirements.

Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:
1. GLOBAL COMMUNICATION: Students will be able to analyze, write and speak about historical, theoretical and cultural dimensions of multiple dance genres within a greater global context that reflects diverse cultural perspectives.
2. DANCE MECHANICS: Students will recognize and apply basic anatomical and kinesthetic structure and function for more efficient and sustainable dancing:
3. CHOREOGRAPHY: Students will develop and articulate individual choreographic voice by expressing themselves creatively through dance composition and performance:
4. MUSICALITY: Students will identify, analyze and demonstrate movement as related to musical structures and their related dance forms and functions.

Transfer to Post-Secondary Performing Arts Programs, College and Universities. Dance/Fitness instructor opportunities (private and public dance studios, after school programs, seasonal long and short-term arts programs, gyms, academic arts settings). Choreography and Performance opportunities (dance companies, media/ video, performing arts programs, etc.)


Certificates of Achievement


Ballet Dance Teaching Preparation and Performance – Certificate of Achievement

The Ballet Dance Teaching and Performance Certificate of Achievement recognizes the completion and mastery of European Folk Ballet techniques in one of the six folk traditions: Royal Academy of Dance method (English style), or Balanchine method (American) as a critical foundation for teaching and performance in dance and related performing arts careers. Students will examine basic form and function, movement theory, improvisation, and Dance History with an emphasis on art as a tool for building social justice awareness. Musicality, dance forms, spatial awareness, performance readiness, injury prevention, and dance making through creation of group and solo choreography. After completing this program, students will be able to teach dance in camp and afterschool settings, perform in multi-level dance companies, run rehearsals, compose choreography for musicals, plays, and amateur dance companies, or continue with their studies towards an associate degree. This certificate may be used to supplement professional experience and meet conditions for course requirements as entry into BA dance programs and preparation for the Theater Arts and Dance Assessment Credential (TADA).

Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:
1. GLOBAL COMMUNICATION: Students will be able to analyze, write and speak about historical, theoretical and cultural dimensions of multiple dance genres within a greater global context that reflects diverse, cultural perspectives.
2. DANCE MECHANICS: Students will develop anatomical awareness within the realm of personal movement possibilities for efficient and sustainable body maintenance.
3. TEACHER PREPARATION: Successful students will examine, synthesize, and evaluate teaching methods of modern dance through critical dance pedagogy with a focus on arts activism and dance as a tool for social justice.

Students will be prepared with the skills and knowledge to teach in dance studios, recreation or Afterschool settings and performance companies. With additional education and training, students may pursue careers in post secondary education dance programs, professional, and other arts related professions.


Jazz Dance Teaching Preparation and Performance – Certificate of Achievement

The Jazz Dance Teaching and Performance Certificate of Achievement recognizes the completion and mastery of vernacular jazz technique as a critical foundation for teaching and performance in dance and related performing arts careers. Students will examine basic form and function, movement theory, improvisation, and Dance History with an emphasis on art as a tool for building social justice awareness. Musicality, African vernacular dance forms, spatial awareness, performance readiness, injury prevention, and dance making through creation of group and solo choreography. After completing this program, students will be able to teach dance in camp and afterschool settings, perform in multi-level dance companies, run rehearsals, compose choreography for musicals, plays, and amateur dance companies, or continue with their studies towards an associate degree. This certificate may be used to supplement professional experience and meet conditions for course requirements as entry into BA dance programs.

Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:
1. GLOBAL COMMUNICATION: Students will be able to analyze, write and speak about historical, theoretical and cultural dimensions of multiple dance genres within a greater global context that reflects diverse, cultural perspectives.
2. DANCE MECHANICS: Students will develop anatomical awareness within the realm of personal movement possibilities for efficient and sustainable body maintenance.
3. TEACHER PREPARATION: Successful students will examine, synthesize, and evaluate teaching methods of modern dance through critical dance pedagogy with a focus on arts activism and dance as a tool for social justice.

Students will be prepared with the skills and knowledge to teach in dance studios, recreation or Afterschool settings and performance companies. With additional education and training, students may pursue careers in Kpost secondary education dance programs, performance and choreography, and other arts related professions.


Modern Dance Teaching Preparation and Performance – Certificate of Achievement

The Modern Dance Technique Certificate of Achievement recognizes the completion and mastery of modern dance technique as a critical foundation for teaching and performance in dance and related performing arts careers. Students will examine basic form and function, movement theory, improvisation, and Dance History with an emphasis on art as a tool for building social justice awareness. Musicality, Dunham Technique, spatial awareness, performance readiness, injury prevention, and dance making through creation of group and solo choreography. After completing this program, students will be able to teach dance in camp and afterschool settings, perform in multi-level dance companies, run rehearsals, compose choreography for musicals, plays, and amateur dance companies, or continue with their studies towards an associate degree. This certificate may be used to supplement professional experience and meet conditions for course requirements as entry into BA dance programs.

Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:
1. GLOBAL COMMUNICATION: Students will be able to analyze, write and speak about historical, theoretical and cultural dimensions of multiple dance genres within a greater global context that reflects diverse, cultural perspectives.
2. DANCE MECHANICS: Students will develop anatomical awareness within the realm of personal movement possibilities for efficient and sustainable body maintenance.
3. TEACHER PREPARATION: Successful students will examine, synthesize, and evaluate teaching methods of
modern dance through critical dance pedagogy with a focus on arts activism and dance as a tool for social justice.

Dance choreographers; dance company members; rehearsal and performance directors; private dance and fitness instructors; arts program directors. With further education and dance training, the dancer with a contemporary modern dance training background is prepared to enter the dance world with one of the most highly recognized dance skills in the USA.