Performing Arts A.A.S.

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Division: Arts, Humanities and Learning Resources
Academic Dept: Arts
Curriculum Chairs: Prof. Steven Riedel
Tel: 914-606-7878

Westchester Community College’s active Performing Arts Program, outstanding facilities, and proximity to the performing arts centers of New York City, offer students a wide and varied educational experience. The college is attractive as well because the metropolitan area and culturally rich Westchester County provide many career opportunities in the creative arts.

The course of study leading to the Associate in Applied Science degree in the Performing Arts provides a suitable program for students who are interested in transferring into BS, BA, and BFA degree programs at four-year colleges and universities. To enrich the classroom program, we also offer many extracurricular activities which train the performing arts major in areas needed to pursue a career in one of the many arts-related professions.

Students may select an emphasis in Dance, Drama (including Acting, Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre), or Music (including Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, and Music Technology) to meet the requirements of the Performing Arts degree. Students should consult with the Curriculum Chair to plan their degree program.

Many of our graduates who concentrate in the arts find employment in the film and theatre industries as well as in numerous other performing arts-related professions. Still more graduates successfully transfer their credits to continue their studies at four-year institutions and earn degrees in drama, music, or dance.

Core Requirements - Credit Hours: 26-29

ENG 101 - Composition and Literature I
ENG 102 - Composition and Literature II
Mathematics - Credit Hours 3-4
Science - Credit Hours 3-4
Math/Science Elective - Credit Hours 3-4
Social Science - Credit Hours 3
Behavioral Science - Credit Hours 3
Phys. Ed. (1 health/fitness, 1 sport) - Credit Hours 2
Elective* - Credit Hours 3

Core Requirement Note(s)

* Choose from communications, English, film, French, Italian, Spanish or philosophy.

Degree Requirements - Credit Hours: 35-38

Courses within the Performing Arts area (see Dance, Drama, and Music course listings below) - Credit Hours 18
Additional Electives ** - Credit Hours 17-20

Dance:

Students wishing an emphasis in Dance should contact the Curriculum Chair for Performing Arts to plan their degree program. (Suggested first semester courses: Elementary Modern Dance, Elementary Jazz Dance, and/or Elementary Ballet.)

Drama:

Students wishing an emphasis in Drama should contact the Curriculum Chair for Performing Arts to plan their degree program. (Suggested first semester courses: Introduction to Theatre, Acting I.)

Music:

Students wishing an emphasis in Music should contact the Curriculum Chair for Performing Arts to plan their degree program. Suggested first semester courses: Music Theory I, Music Appreciation, and Piano I.

Music in Peekskill only:

Degree Requirement Note(s)

** Students may use these electives to increase their emphasis in their chosen Performing Arts area.

Minimum Total Credits: 64

Students are encouraged to apply early due to an extraordinary demand.

Advisement Guide: The Advisement Guide provides important information to students about how best to complete this degree, including a semester-by-semester breakdown of how best to complete the required classes. Click here for the Advisement Guide’s 4-Semester Plan .