Dance, A.A. (Transfer)

The Associate of Arts degree in Dance provides a pathway for students who are interested in transferring to a 4-year university. It is designed to provide a foundation in dance history and theory, technique, and aesthetics in a small liberal arts environment. Students are immersed in a comprehensive program of dance study with a focus on choreography, improvisation, performance, history, and core techniques in commercial and contemporary styles. Students who complete the A.A. in Dance are prepared to audition for university dance programs and pursue the completion of a 4-year or other advanced degree. This two-year concentration also prepares the student for the rigors of pursuing a career as a dancer. 

AA.DAN.CG

Design Your Future!

Begin by exploring MSJC program maps to find career or transfer opportunities.  Program maps show the recommended course sequence that leads to graduation or transfer. The maps were developed by program experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.    

  • Starting in Spring? Choose Fall Semester 1 courses.   
  • Are you a part-time student?  Start Fall Semester 1 courses and follow the course sequence.

Cal-GETC

The beauty of this map is that you can choose any two genres to focus on. Be sure to enroll in two technique classes per semester at the level that best suits your abilities. Higher-level courses can be taken by audition. To audition, show up on the first day of the course you wish to take. The first class will serve as the auditionWhen you finish this map, you will be ready to transfer! The Dance Department at UCR does NOT require an audition. Please speak to the department chair at SJC or MVC for more information.  

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-C1000 Academic Reading and Writing 3
DAN-100 History and Appreciation of Dance 3
DAN-120 Conditioning and Alignment 1.5
COMM-C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking 1 3
Choose Two: BEG LEVEL A 1 3
 Units13.5
Spring Semester 1
ENGL-C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
or Critical Thinking and Composition
3
DAN-125 Choreography I 3
DAN-212
Dance Production
or Dance Performance
1
MATH-115
Ideas of Mathematics
or Introduction to Statistics
3
POLS-C1000 American Government and Politics 2 3
Choose Two: BEG LEVEL B 2 3
 Units16
Fall Semester 2
PS/ETHS-103
Ethnic Politics in America
or Black History in the American Context
or American Indian Literature (formerly ENGL-240)
or Latinx/Chicanx Literature
or Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
or Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies
3
DAN-108
Improvisation for Dance and Theater
or Choreography II
or Dance Touring Ensemble
3
DAN-212
Dance Production
or Dance Performance
2
DAN-115 Pilates Mat Work 1 1
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
Choose Two: INT LEVEL A 3 3
 Units15
Spring Semester 2
ANTH-101
ANTH-111
Biological Anthropology
and Biological Anthropology Lab
4
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
ASL-100
American Sign Language I
or Elementary Spanish I
4
DAN-133 History of Popular Dance in the United States 3
Choose One: INT LEVEL B 4 1.5
 Units15.5
 Total Units60
1

DAN 121A,122A (S), 123A (F), 131A (select two) 

2

DAN 121B, 122B (S), 123B (F), 131B (select two) 

3

DAN 124 (A), 126A (A),127A (F), 128A (A), 135A (select two) 

4

DAN 129 (A), 126B (A), 127B (F), 128B (A), 135B (select one) 

Course Title Credits
Required Courses
DAN-100/HIST-151History and Appreciation of Dance3
DAN-125Choreography I3
DAN-133History of Popular Dance in the United States3
Required Performance/Production Courses
Select three units of the following:3
Dance Production
Dance Performance
Area A - Required Courses
Choose from at least two different subjects/genres of dance below:6-8
Conditioning and Alignment
Beginning Ballet
Advanced Beginning Ballet
Beginning Modern Dance Technique
Advanced Beginning Modern Dance
Beginning Jazz Dance
Advanced Beginning Jazz Dance
Beginning Tap Dance
Intermediate Modern Dance
Advanced Intermediate Modern Dance
Intermediate Jazz Dance
Advanced Intermediate Jazz Dance
Intermediate Ballet
Advanced Intermediate Ballet
Intermediate Tap Dance
Beginning Hip Hop (formerly DAN-131)
Advanced Beginning Hip Hop
Intermediate Hip Hop
Advanced Intermediate Hip Hop
Dances of the World
Area B - Required Courses
Select one from the following:3
Improvisation for Dance and Theater
Dance Touring Ensemble
Choreography II
Total Units21-23
Course Title Credits
Cal-GETC Pattern34
Required Dance Courses9
Required Performance/Production Courses3
Area A - Required Courses6-8
Area B - Required Courses3
Electives (as needed to reach 60 units)

Discover information about careers that interest you!

  1. Take a Career Quiz to learn about yourself and receive career suggestions based on your interests. 
  2. Search available in-demand jobs in your career areas of interest and find up-to-date salaries and education requirements. 
  3. Find the MSJC Program that connects your interests to a career.

Note: There are no guaranteed positions for students completing these programs. Education and work experience required will vary by employer. The salary and benefits for specific occupations will be dependent on work experience, education, background, and employer.