Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Musical Theatre

The Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA), Emphasis in Musical Theatre degree provides a foundation in performance and production practices in music, theatre, and dance. The degree is designed to prepare students to meet selective admission criteria for programs, such as the Bachelor of Musical Theatre, which may require an audition.

Details

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Musical Theatre (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8314
Total credits required
66-83
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Some courses may require permission of instructor and/or audition for placement. For enrollment in private instruction for voice, consult the college music department.

Because transfer requirements vary by program and institution, students intending to transfer are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic and faculty advisor once they have selected their transfer institution to ensure all requirements for achieving junior standing are satisfied.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Demonstrate fundamental technical and artistic proficiency in singing, dancing, and acting.
  2. Create convincing characters through techniques in voice, movement, and interpretation.
  3. Locate and evaluate multiple sources of information in order to inform performance.
  4. Examine and interpret relevant historical and cultural context to inform individual performance and the production process.
  5. Integrate the unique characteristics, complexities, and best practices of the performing arts to inform individual performance and the production process.
  6. Interpret and apply constructive feedback as appropriate.
  7. Collaborate effectively by identifying the importance of individual roles and contributions, diverse experiences, and opinions.
  8. Apply the required time, focus, and acquired skills to achieve short, mid-, and long term goals.
  9. Develop and employ an effective collection of audition/portfolio materials to highlight relevant aspects of music, dance, and theatrical abilities.
  10. Adhere to ethical standards and current practices related to intellectual property and copyright laws, permissions, and revision of source material.
  11. Communicate effectively in written, verbal, and nonverbal forms.
  12. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Actors

$39,352

Choreographers

$46,921

Dancers

$47,646

Postsecondary Art, Drama, and Music Teachers

$63,340

Producers

$55,628

Producers and Directors

$55,091

Secondary School Teachers

$54,253

Self-Enrichment Education Teachers

$45,858

Singers

$55,740

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAN Dance Technique Select a total of four credits from the Dance Technique Courses list. Up to four courses may be selected from the area of Musical Theatre. No more than two courses can be selected from each of the other areas. 1–2
MTC101 or
(MTC105 and
MTC106) or
(MTC155 and
MTC156) or
(MTC205 and
MTC206) or
(MTC255 and
MTC256)		 Introduction to Music Theory or (Music Theory I and Aural Perception I) or (Music Theory II and Aural Perception II) or (Music Theory III and Aural Perception III) or (Music Theory IV and Aural Perception IV) 3–4
MUP101AA or
MUP102AA		 Private Instruction: Voice or Private Instruction: Voice 1–2
MUP/THO270 or
MUP/THO270AA or
MUP/THP273		 Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Production Critical course Gateway course Students must complete at least one credit of MUP/THP273. MUP/THP273 may be completed for credit twice. MUP/THP270AA may be completed for credit twice. 1–2
THP112 Acting I Critical course 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics Critical course OR Any higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
MUP131 or
MUP132 or
MUP231 or
MUP232		 Class Piano I or Class Piano II or Class Piano III or Class Piano IV 1
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAN Dance Technique Select a total of four credits from the Dance Technique Courses list. Up to four courses may be selected from the area of Musical Theatre. No more than two courses can be selected from each of the other areas. 1–2
MUP151AA or
MUP152AA		 Private Instruction: Voice or Private Instruction: Voice 1–2
MUP/THO270 or
MUP/THO270AA or
MUP/THP273		 Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Production Students must complete at least one credit of MUP/THP273. MUP/THP273 may be completed for credit twice. MUP/THP270AA may be completed for credit twice. 0–2
MHL146 Survey of Broadway Musicals HU 3
THE220 Modern Drama HU, L 3
THP212 Acting II 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
COM100 Introduction to Human Communication SB 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAN Dance Technique Select a total of four credits from the Dance Technique Courses list. Up to four courses may be selected from the area of Musical Theatre. No more than two courses can be selected from each of the other areas. 1–2
MUP/THO270 or
MUP/THO270AA or
MUP/THP273		 Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Production Students must complete at least one credit of MUP/THP273. MUP/THP273 may be completed for credit twice. MUP/THP270AA may be completed for credit twice. 0–2
MUP202AA Private Instruction: Voice 2
THP213 or
(DAN210 and
THP201AA) or
(THO202AA)		 Introduction to Technical Theatre or (Dance Production I and Theatre Production I) or (Theatre Production I Scene Shop) THP213 OR [DAN210 and (THP201AA OR THO202AA)] or formerly THP202AA 3–4
COM/THP271 or
THP131		 Voice and Diction or Stage Movement 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
DAH100 or
DAH250 or
THE111		 Introduction to Dance in the United States or Dance in Popular Culture or Introduction to Theatre HU or C, HU or HU 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAN Dance Technique Select a total of four credits from the Dance Technique Courses list. Up to four courses may be selected from the area of Musical Theatre. No more than two courses can be selected from each of the other areas. 1–2
DAN+++ or
MUP+++ or
THP+++		 Any DAN Dance Course or Any MUP Music: Performance Course or Any THP Theatre Performance/Production Course Select an elective course within the area of Dance, Music Performance, and/or Theatre Performance/Production in consultation with the Faculty, Program advisor and/or the Visual and Performing Arts student success analyst. Course cannot be used to satisfy Required Courses. 1–3
MUP252AA Private Instruction: Voice 2
MUP/THO270 or
MUP/THO270AA or
MUP/THP273		 Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Production Students must complete at least one credit of MUP/THP273. MUP/THP273 may be completed for credit twice. MUP/THP270AA may be completed for credit twice. 0–2
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application Recommend MTC180 CS 3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MTC101 or
(MTC105 and
MTC106) or
(MTC155 and
MTC156) or
(MTC205 and
MTC206) or
(MTC255 and
MTC256)		 Introduction to Music Theory or (Music Theory I and Aural Perception I) or (Music Theory II and Aural Perception II) or (Music Theory III and Aural Perception III) or (Music Theory IV and Aural Perception IV) 3–4
MUP101AA or
MUP102AA		 Private Instruction: Voice or Private Instruction: Voice 1–2
THP112 Acting I Critical course 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAN Dance Technique Select a total of four credits from the Dance Technique Courses list. Up to four courses may be selected from the area of Musical Theatre. No more than two courses can be selected from each of the other areas. 1–2
MUP131 or
MUP132 or
MUP231 or
MUP232		 Class Piano I or Class Piano II or Class Piano III or Class Piano IV 1
MUP151AA or
MUP152AA		 Private Instruction: Voice or Private Instruction: Voice 1–2
THP212 Acting II 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUP/THO270 or
MUP/THO270AA or
MUP/THP273		 Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Production Critical course Gateway course Students must complete at least one credit of MUP/THP273. MUP/THP273 may be completed for credit twice. MUP/THP270AA may be completed for credit twice. 1–2
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics Critical course OR Any higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAN Dance Technique Select a total of four credits from the Dance Technique Courses list. Up to four courses may be selected from the area of Musical Theatre. No more than two courses can be selected from each of the other areas. 1–2
COM100 Introduction to Human Communication SB 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
MUP/THO270 or
MUP/THO270AA or
MUP/THP273		 Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Production Students must complete at least one credit of MUP/THP273. MUP/THP273 may be completed for credit twice. MUP/THP270AA may be completed for credit twice. 0–2

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUP202AA Private Instruction: Voice 2
DAN Dance Technique Select a total of four credits from the Dance Technique Courses list. Up to four courses may be selected from the area of Musical Theatre. No more than two courses can be selected from each of the other areas. 1–2
MHL146 Survey of Broadway Musicals HU 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUP/THO270 or
MUP/THO270AA or
MUP/THP273		 Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Production Students must complete at least one credit of MUP/THP273. MUP/THP273 may be completed for credit twice. MUP/THP270AA may be completed for credit twice. 0–2
THP213 or
(DAN210 and
THP201AA) or
(THO202AA)		 Introduction to Technical Theatre or (Dance Production I and Theatre Production I) or (Theatre Production I Scene Shop) THP213 OR [DAN210 and (THP201AA OR THO202AA)] or formerly THP202AA 3–4
THE220 Modern Drama HU, L 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM/THP271 or
THP131		 Voice and Diction or Stage Movement 3
DAH100 or
DAH250 or
THE111		 Introduction to Dance in the United States or Dance in Popular Culture or Introduction to Theatre HU or C, HU or HU 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAN Dance Technique Select a total of four credits from the Dance Technique Courses list. Up to four courses may be selected from the area of Musical Theatre. No more than two courses can be selected from each of the other areas. 1–2
MUP252AA Private Instruction: Voice 2
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAN+++ or
MUP+++ or
THP+++		 Any DAN Dance Course or Any MUP Music: Performance Course or Any THP Theatre Performance/Production Course Select an elective course within the area of Dance, Music Performance, and/or Theatre Performance/Production in consultation with the Faculty, Program advisor and/or the Visual and Performing Arts student success analyst. Course cannot be used to satisfy Required Courses. 1–3
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application Recommend MTC180 CS 3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUP/THO270 or
MUP/THO270AA or
MUP/THP273		 Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Workshop or Musical Theatre Production Students must complete at least one credit of MUP/THP273. MUP/THP273 may be completed for credit twice. MUP/THP270AA may be completed for credit twice. 0–2
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4

Dance Technique

Students must complete a total of five credits from the list below. No more than two credits may be taken from any one of the areas listed below.

Musical Theatre

DAN129 Musical Theatre Dance I
DAN130 Musical Theatre Dance II
DAN229 Musical Theatre Dance III
DAN230 Musical Theatre Dance IV

Ballroom

DAN104++ Any Ballroom Course
DAN106AA Latin I 
DAN106AB Latin II 

Jazz

DAN133 Jazz Dance I 
DAN136 Jazz Dance II 
DAN233 Jazz Dance III 
DAN233AA Jazz Dance III: Intensive
DAN236 Jazz Dance IV 
DAN236AA Jazz Dance IV: Intensive

Ballet

DAN131 Ballet I 
DAN134 Ballet II 
DAN231 Ballet III 
DAN231AA Ballet III: Intensive
DAN234 Ballet IV 
DAN234 Ballet IV: Intensive

Modern

DAN132 Modern Dance I 
DAN135 Modern Dance II 
DAN232 Modern Dance III 
DAN232AA Modern Dance III: Intensive
DAN235 Modern Dance IV 
DAN235AA Modern Dance IV: Intensive

Tap

DAN140 Tap Dance I 
DAN145 Tap Dance II 
DAN240 Tap Dance III 
DAN245 Tap Dance IV 

Hip Hop

DAN102++ Any Hip Hop Course 
DAN202++ Any Hip Hip Course 

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • G = Global Awareness
  • H = Historical Awareness
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=188784).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.