A Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program in Spring 2016. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Program Description

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.

General Education Requirements - 21 Credits

Students are required to fulfill a certain number of credits within the specific categories shown below. Where specific courses are not listed within these categories, courses must be selected from the list of SUNY General Education Courses .

Degree Requirements - 39 Credits

• History/Theory of Arts Courses (6 credits, see below)
• Performing Arts Courses (18 credits, see below)
• Free Electives* (15 credits, any college courses)

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

Minimum Total Credits - 60

Educational Plan: The Educational Plan is an advisement tool that provides important information to students about how to complete this degree. Click here to Download the Educational Plan .