Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted): Dance

Below is a sample academic plan that shows you how you can complete your Certificate in a timely manner. Your path may look different depending on your circumstances?for example, if you attend part-time, choose to take Intersession or Summer courses, or have earned prior credit (Credit for Prior Learning, Dual Enrollment, Transfer Credit). You are required to meet with a counselor to set up a comprehensive education plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals.

The certificate program in dance combines comprehensive advanced courses in dance technique with courses of a specialized nature to provide a complete program of study and training in technique and performance.
This program is designed to develop skills necessary for a career as a dance performer and to provide extensive pre-professional performance experience. Employment opportunities exist in a variety of areas: dance companies; instructor in private dance studios; dancer for commercial stage, television, and film; choreographer/performer in music videos; and production choreographer.

Demonstrate competency in the creation and presentation of dance in public performances.

Execute proficiency in performance and technical skills in modern, ballet, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary dance styles, to audition for commercial performance venues.

Demonstrate a clear understanding of the interaction between choreographer, performer and audience, and the production components of lighting, costume and set design, through the creation and presentation of dance in public performances.

Program Map

GE General Education Course
M Major Course
E Elective Course
SI Summer/Intersession Course *
* Course is appropriate for Summer and Intersession, which are accelerated terms.

Getting Started

Comprehensive Education Plan: You are required to meet with a counselor for a comprehensive educational plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor in your first semester.

First Semester

9 units
DNCE 122A
Commercial Dance I
Instruction for the beginning level dance student in commercial dance including technical steps, styles, audition techniques, and performance skills. The course focuses on level I skill set necessary for the preparation of dancing in commercial settings such as entertainment industries, cruise liners, music videos, mainstream entertainment productions, etc. DNCE 122A prepares the student for DNCE 122B.
    Plan 1: 7B. Lifelong Understanding - Activity
    DNCE 205A
    Dance Touring Ensemble I
    Pre-professional ensemble to provide performance experience in various settings such as high school lecture presentations, dance festivals, or off-campus performing venues. For advanced students. Repertoire and casting vary each semester. Requires audition prior to enrollment.
    *Fall Course Only
    • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Audition.
    DNCE 202B
    Choreography II
    A continued study of choreography which defines and explores the compositional elements involved in creating a dance. Students will continue to develop choreographic skills emphasizing individual expression of ideas demonstrated in more advanced-level assignments of solo and group compositions. Compositions are created and performed in the dance studio and may be presented in an informal concert setting. This course is a prerequisite prior to choreographing a full-length dance in DNCE 204B.
    *Fall Course Only
    • Prerequisite: DNCE 202A
    • Recommended Preparation: Any dance course with an emphasis on dance and movement technique is recommended with a minimum grade of C.
    DNCE 240A
    Repertory I
    Students develop rehearsal and performance skills through learning a repertoire of dances. Includes preparation for public concerts and performances at different venues. Dances vary each semester. Requires audition prior to enrollment.
    • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Audition.
    DNCE 213
    Ballet III
    Continued study of ballet technique and terminology of the intermediate level. Course includes center adagio, jumps with beats, pirouettes, and movement combinations. Intermediate variations are also learned and performed in class.
    • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 201B

    Second Semester

    8 units
    DNCE 180
    Professional Studio Practices
    Learn the procedures, management, and expectations of working in private dance studios. Applicable for both the dance educator and the professional dancer.
    • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 122B
    • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 201B
    • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 206B
    • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 219B
    DNCE 204A
    Dance Production I
    Concert dance production experience culminating in public performances in Phillips Hall Theatre as part of the Spring Student/Faculty Dance Concert. Includes production basics, with an emphasis on performance techniques and working with faculty/student choreographers to create original dances. By audition only prior to enrollment.
    • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: By audition only.
    DNCE 205B
    Dance Touring Ensemble II
    Pre-professional ensemble to provide continued performance experience in various settings such as high school lecture presentations, dance festivals, or off-campus performing venues. For advanced students. Repertoire and casting vary each semester. Requires audition prior to enrollment.
    *Spring Course Only
    • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: By audition only
    DNCE 209
    Modern Dance III
    Provides the continuing modern dance student opportunity to concentrate on more advanced steps and development of technical skills and somatic approaches to dance at the intermediate level. Emphasizes combinations, choreography, and performance style. Dance 206A/B recommended.
    • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 206A
    • Recommended Preparation:

    Third Semester

    8 units
    DNCE 251
    Hip-Hop Dance III
    Instruction for the continuing dance student in level III hip-hop dance technique and further development of performance skills. Emphasis will be placed on combinations, choreography, performance style, and cultural context of hip-hop. Dance 250B recommended
    • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 250B
    DNCE 220
    Jazz Dance III
    Instruction for the continuing jazz dance student in intermediate jazz steps and further development of technical skills. Emphasis will be placed on combinations, choreography, performance style, and cultural context of jazz. Historical and contemporary forms are studied. Dance 219B recommended.
    • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 219B
    DNCE 240B
    Repertory II
    Continued refinement of rehearsal and performance skills through learning a more difficult repertoire of dances. Includes preparation for public concerts and performances at different venues. Dances vary each semester. Requires audition prior to enrollment.
    • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Audition.
    CHOICE: Dance Elective
    CHOICE:Dance Elective

    Fourth Semester

    8 units
    DNCE 204B
    Dance Production II
    Concert dance production experience culminating in public performances in Phillips Hall Theatre as part of the Spring Student/Faculty Dance Concert. Includes production basics, with an emphasis on choreography to create original dances. By audition only prior to enrollment.
    • Prerequisite: DNCE 202B
    • Prerequisite: by audition only
    DNCE 221
    Jazz Dance IV
    Continuing study of jazz dance concentrating on intermediate-advanced combinations with emphasis on movement technique, vocabulary, and performance style. Includes study of choreography, cultural context of jazz, and comparisons of historical and contemporary jazz styles.
    • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 220
    DNCE 214
    Ballet IV
    Continuing study of technique and terminology at the intermediate-advanced level. Emphasizes longer, more intricate movement combinations and development of balletic style. Stresses expression and technique at intermediate-advanced level. Includes ballet history and comparisons of various ballet styles.
    • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 213
    DNCE 210
    Modern Dance IV
    Continuing study of modern dance technique including more complicated combinations and advanced material. Emphasizes somatic approaches to dance training, performance expression, and comparison of modern dance styles. Dance 209 recommended.
    • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 209