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.OPTB or AA.DAN.OPTC

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.

CSULB & SDSU: General Education Option B

This program provides students with focused program options. A focused program map contains courses that help students specialize in a distinct area and connects to careers.  Talk to a counselor about preparing for transfer to specific schools.

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition (formerly Freshman Composition) 4
MATH-115 Ideas of Mathematics 3
DAN-100 History and Appreciation of Dance 3
Select one of the following: 2
Beginning Modern Dance
Advanced Beginning Modern Dance
Intermediate Modern Dance
Advanced Intermediate Modern Dance
Select one of the following: 2
Beginning Ballet
Advanced Beginning Ballet
Intermediate Ballet
Advanced Intermediate Ballet
DAN-120 Conditioning and Alignment for Dance 2
 Units16
Spring Semester 1
COMM-100
Public Speaking
or Interpersonal Communication
3
DAN-125 Choreography I 3
DAN-212
Dance Production
or Dance Performance
2
Select one of the following: 3
Black History in the American Context
Latinx/Chicanx Literature
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
Select one of the following: 2
Beginning Modern Dance
Advanced Beginning Modern Dance
Intermediate Modern Dance
Advanced Intermediate Modern Dance
Select one of the following: 2
Beginning Ballet
Advanced Beginning Ballet
Intermediate Ballet
Advanced Intermediate Ballet
 Units15
Fall Semester 2
COMM-104 Argumentation and Debate (formerly Advocacy and Argument) 3
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
HIST-112 U.S. History Since 1865 3
DAN-108 Improvisation for Dance and Theater 3
Select one of the following: 2
Intermediate Modern Dance
Advanced Intermediate Modern Dance
Intermediate Ballet
Advanced Intermediate Ballet
DAN-212
Dance Production
or Dance Performance
1
Select one of the following: 2
Beginning Jazz Dance
Beginning Tap Dance
Beginning Hip Hop (formerly DAN-131)
ANTH-111 Biological Anthropology Lab 1
 Units18
Spring Semester 2
PS-101 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
THA-102 Theater History 3
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
DAN-133 History of Popular Dance in the United States 3
Select one of the following: 2
Intermediate Modern Dance
Advanced Intermediate Modern Dance
Intermediate Ballet
Advanced Intermediate Ballet
Select one of the following: 2
Advanced Beginning Jazz Dance
Intermediate Tap Dance
Advanced Beginning Hip Hop
 Units16
 Total Units65

NOTE: Higher level dance courses can be taken by audition. Other levels of technique courses can be substituted as needed.

UCR: General Education Option C

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition (formerly Freshman Composition) 4
MATH-115 Ideas of Mathematics 3
DAN-100 History and Appreciation of Dance 3
Select two of the following: 4
Beginning Ballet
Beginning Modern Dance
Beginning Jazz Dance
Beginning Hip Hop (formerly DAN-131)
 Units14
Spring Semester 1
ENGL-103
Critical Thinking and Writing
or Critical Thinking and Composition
3
DAN-125 Choreography I 3
DAN-212
Dance Production
or Dance Performance
1
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
COMM-100 Public Speaking 3
Select two of the following: 4
Advanced Beginning Ballet
Advanced Beginning Modern Dance
Advanced Beginning Jazz Dance
Advanced Beginning Hip Hop
 Units17
Summer 1
ASL-100 American Sign Language I 4
 Units4
Fall Semester 2
THA-136 Cultural History of American Motion Pictures 3
DAN-108
Improvisation for Dance and Theater
or Choreography II
3
PS-101 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
DAN-212
Dance Production
or Dance Performance
2
Select two of the following: 4
Beginning Tap Dance
Intermediate Modern Dance
Intermediate Jazz Dance
Intermediate Ballet
Intermediate Hip Hop
 Units15
Spring Semester 2
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
DAN-133 History of Popular Dance in the United States 3
ANTH-101
ANTH-111
Biological Anthropology
and Biological Anthropology Lab
4
DAN-120 Conditioning and Alignment for Dance 2
Select one of the following: 3
Ethnic Politics in America
Black History in the American Context
American Indian Literature (formerly ENGL-240)
Latinx/Chicanx Literature
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
Select one of the following: 2
Intermediate Tap Dance
Advanced Intermediate Modern Dance
Advanced Intermediate Jazz Dance
Advanced Intermediate Ballet
Advanced Intermediate Hip Hop
 Units17
 Total Units67

NOTE: Higher level dance courses can be taken by audition.

NOTE: For students who did not meet the LOTE requirement in high school, they may fulfill Area 6 by demonstrating proficiency by completing ASL-100 American Sign Language IFREN-101 Elementary French I or SPAN-101 Elementary Spanish I with a grade C or better. Languages other than English for Native Speakers are also acceptable for meeting this requirement.  

 To prepare students for transfer, this degree combines the requirements for the Certificate of Achievement in Dance (21-23 units) with General Education Requirements Option B (CSU Breadth) or Option C (IGETC) for the completion of a minimum of 60 degree-applicable units total. Students must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major. Some courses in this degree may count for both the degree and general education requirements.

The requirements for this degree may be met by completing the pattern described below plus all MSJC's General Education Option B (CSUGE) or Option C (IGETC) requirements. 

Additional major preparation or elective courses may be required for specific institutions, and students transferring to a CSU or UC can refer to ASSIST.ORG to review major preparation for specific majors and programs. Please meet with a Counselor for further transfer information. 

Course Title Credits
MSJC General Education Option B or C37-39
Required Dance Courses9
Required Performance/Production Courses3
Area A - Required Courses6-8
Area B - Required Courses3
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:
DAN-212Dance Production1-3
DAN-213Dance Performance1-3
Area A - Required Courses
Choose from at least two different subjects/genres of dance below:6-8
Conditioning and Alignment for Dance
Beginning Ballet
Advanced Beginning Ballet
Beginning Modern Dance
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

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.