Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted): Commercial 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 Commercial Dance Certificate of Achievement is an intensive one-year training program that focuses on jazz, commercial dance, hip-hop, repertory, production, choreography, studio teaching methodology, and outreach touring performance. In addition to performance skills, students receive training in audition and interview techniques, resume building, social media marketing trends, and entrepreneurial networking strategies. The program culminates in a practicum, followed by an internship designed to equip students with the essential skills for entry-level positions in the commercial and entertainment industries, studio instruction, performance, and choreography. The Commercial Dance Certificate program is designed for advanced students and consultation with department faculty/instructor is highly recommended prior to enrollment.

Demonstrate preparation skills for auditions and interviews and utilize tools in resume development, social media marketing trends, and entrepreneurial networking strategies.

Execute technical and artistic performance skills in various styles of commercial dance genres including contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and performance repertory.

Develop and demonstrate skill sets in the areas of choreography, production tasks, studio teaching methodologies, and outreach touring performances.

Present personal portfolio and identify and articulate objectives, goals, and work-related responsibilities specific to assigned dance internship.

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

13 units
DNCE 125A
Commercial Dance III
Instruction in commercial dance including the technical steps, styles, audition techniques, and performance skills. The course focuses on level III skill set necessary to be a successful dancer in commercial settings such as entertainment industries, cruise ships, music videos, mainstream entertainment productions, etc. Dance audition preparations and resume development are included in coursework. DNCE 125A utilizes additional dance combination work and prepares the student for DNCE 125B.
  • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 122B
Plan 1: 7B. Lifelong Understanding - Activity
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 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.
  • 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 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.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Audition.
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 240A or DNCE 240B
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.
OR
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

Second Semester

12 units
DNCE 125B
Commercial Dance IV
Continued instruction in commercial dance including the technical steps, styles, audition techniques, and performance skills. The course focuses on level IV skill set necessary to be a successful dancer in commercial settings such as entertainment industries, cruise ships, music videos, mainstream entertainment productions, etc. Dance audition preparations, entrepreneurial and networking skills, and resume development are included in coursework.
  • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 125A
Plan 1: 7B. Lifelong Understanding - Activity
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 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.
  • Prerequisite: 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 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 270
Dance Practicum
Directed study at selected locations providing workplace experience as performer, choreographer, production assistant, dance management intern, dance team assistant, dance studio assistant, dance teacher, or somatics teaching assistant. Before placement, skills are assessed to match abilities with project or job needs.
  • Recommended Preparation: DNCE 180
CHOICE: Dance Elective