Performing Arts A.S.

School: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Academic Dept: Arts and Communications
HEGIS: 5610

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2024 to Summer 2025. 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

The A.S. Degree in Performing Arts provides training and education in the fields of Music, Dance and Theater. Our A.S. Degree transfers to a wide variety of 4-year universities offering B.S., B.A. or B.F.A. degrees in the fields of Music, Dance and Theater.

The 2-year Music program includes courses in Music History, Music Theory and Ear Training, Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles, Music Technology and Sound Engineering, as well as private lessons in all the instruments, voice, and composition. All of our Music courses transfer to 4-year universities offering degrees in Music Performance, Music Education, Music Therapy, and Music Production.

Our Dance program offers Ballet, Modern Dance, Jazz Improvisation, Hip Hop, Latin Dance and Choreography. Our Theater program offers courses in Acting, and opportunities to be in a staged production.

Because of our proximity to New York City, our students can take advantage of the performing arts opportunities offered in the City.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Demonstrate knowledge of basic theories and techniques in music, dance, and theater, including the latest cultural and technological developments.
Demonstrate an understanding of the creative process inherent in those disciplines, and of the intellectual, psychological, and physical benefits of participation.
Demonstrate the ability to perform and analyze artistic works in the fields of music, dance, and theater.

Program Note

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

Program Requirements

60 credits are required for the degree:

General Education - 30 credits
Required Degree Courses - 30 credits

General Education Requirements - 30 Credits

Communication - Written and Oral (3 credits): ENG 101 Writing and Research
Humanities (3 credits): ENG 102 Writing and Literature
Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
Social Sciences (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
The Arts (3 credits): ART 108 - Art of the Ancient World: Prehistory to Fourteenth Century , ART 109A - Contemporary Art , ART 109 - Art of the Modern World: Fifteenth Century to Contemporary , FILM 100 - Introduction to Film , FILM 101 - Film 1895 to 1945 , FILM 102 - Film 1945 to Present , MUSIC 100 - History of Western Music: Up to 1800 , MUSIC 102 - History of Electronic Music , MUSIC 103 - History of Jazz , MUSIC 110 - Basic Musicianship , MUSIC 111 - Music Theory 1 , MUSIC 150 - Music Appreciation 1 , OR THEAT 101 - Introduction to the Theatre
US History and Civic Engagement (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
World History and Global Awareness OR World Languages (3 credits): choose from either category, World History and Global Awareness OR World Languages
Additional General Education Electives (3 credits): choose from all general education courses

Where specific courses are not listed within the categories above, courses must be selected from the list of all general education courses .

Required Degree Courses - 30 credits

History/Theory of Arts Electives (9 credits): select THREE courses from the following
Performing Arts Electives (18 credits): select from the following Performing Arts courses list. Music students may opt to take a 2-credit ensemble class and 1-credit Applied Music. Music students should take all 4 levels of the same ensemble and Applied Music.
Free Electives (3 credits): select any college course(s)

Program Map

The program map is a recommended semester-by-semester schedule of courses based on degree requirements and serve as a general guideline to help students complete their program in two years. Although designed for full-time enrollment, these are easily adaptable for part-time study. For additional, individualized guidance, students should review Degree Works and consult an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure they are on track to complete their program.

Semester 1

Course	Credits
ENG 101 Writing and Research	3
History/Theory of Arts Elective	3
Social Sciences Gen. Ed. Course	3
World Languages Gen. Ed. Course OR World History and Global Awareness Gen. Ed. Course	3
Performing Arts Elective	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 2

Course	Credits
ENG 102 Writing and Literature	3
History/Theory of Arts Elective	3
Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) Gen. Ed. Course	3
Performing Arts Electives	6
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 3

Course	Credits
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Gen. Ed. Course	3
History/Theory of Arts Elective	3
Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) Gen. Ed. Course	3
US History and Civic Engagement Gen. Ed. Course	3
Performing Arts Electives	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 4

Course	Credits
The Arts Gen. Ed. course from the following: ART 108 - Art of the Ancient World: Prehistory to Fourteenth Century , ART 109A - Contemporary Art , ART 109 - Art of the Modern World: Fifteenth Century to Contemporary , FILM 100 - Introduction to Film , FILM 101 - Film 1895 to 1945 , FILM 102 - Film 1945 to Present , MUSIC 100 - History of Western Music: Up to 1800 , MUSIC 102 - History of Electronic Music , MUSIC 103 - History of Jazz , MUSIC 110 - Basic Musicianship , MUSIC 111 - Music Theory 1 , MUSIC 150 - Music Appreciation 1 , OR THEAT 101 - Introduction to the Theatre	3
Any General Education Course	3
Performing Arts Electives	6
Free Elective	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Minimum Total Credits: 60

Transfer Opportunities

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

Career Opportunities

Visit Career Coach to explore career paths, job descriptions, salary trends, and job trends.

Visit the Career Services page for more career resources.