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
60-64
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
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
- Demonstrate fundamental technical and artistic proficiency in singing, dancing, and acting.
- Create convincing characters through techniques in voice, movement, and interpretation.
- Locate and evaluate multiple sources of information in order to inform performance.
- Examine and interpret relevant historical and cultural context to inform individual performance and the production process.
- Integrate the unique characteristics, complexities, and best practices of the performing arts to inform individual performance and the production process.
- Interpret and apply constructive feedback as appropriate.
- Collaborate effectively by identifying the importance of individual roles and contributions, diverse experiences, and opinions.
- Apply the required time, focus, and acquired skills to achieve short, mid-, and long term goals.
- Develop and employ an effective collection of audition/portfolio materials to highlight relevant aspects of music, dance, and theatrical abilities.
- Adhere to ethical standards and current practices related to intellectual property and copyright laws, permissions, and revision of source material.
- Communicate effectively in written, verbal, and nonverbal forms.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 26-32 | |
| FYE101 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR | |
| FYE103 | Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) | 1-3 |
| Music Theory | ||
| MTC105 | Music Theory I (3) AND | |
| MTC106 | Aural Perception I (1) | |
| OR | ||
| MTC155 | Music Theory II (3) AND | |
| MTC156 | Aural Perception II (1) | |
| OR | ||
| MTC205 | Music Theory III (3) AND | |
| MTC206 | Aural Perception III (1) | |
| OR | ||
| MTC255 | Music Theory IV (3) AND | |
| MTC256 | Aural Perception IV (1) | 4 |
| Private Voice Instruction | ||
| MUP101AA | Private Instruction: Voice (1) OR | |
| MUP102AA | Private Instruction: Voice (2) | 1-2 |
| MUP151AA | Private Instruction: Voice (1) OR | |
| MUP152AA | Private Instruction: Voice (2) | 1-2 |
| MUP202AA | Private Instruction: Voice | 2 |
| MUP252AA | Private Instruction: Voice | 2 |
| Class Piano | ||
| MUP131 | Class Piano I (1) OR | |
| MUP132 | Class Piano II (1) OR | |
| MUP231 | Class Piano III (1) OR | |
| MUP232 | Class Piano IV (1) | 1 |
| Music Theatre Workshop and Production | ||
| Students must complete at least one credit of MUP/THP273. | ||
| MUP/THP273 | Musical Theatre Production 1 (may be completed for credit twice) | |
| MUP/THO270 | Musical Theatre Workshop (2) OR | |
| MUP/THO270AA | Musical Theatre Workshop (1) (may be completed for credit twice) | 1-2 |
| <Strong>Acting</Strong> | ||
| THP112 | Acting I | 3 |
| THP212 | Acting II | 3 |
| Movement and Voice | ||
| COM/THP271 | Voice and Diction (3) OR | |
| THP131 | Stage Movement (3) | 3 |
| <Strong>Dance</Strong> | ||
| Select a total of four credits from the following 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. | ||
| Musical Theatre | ||
| DAN129 | Musical Theatre Dance I | 1 |
| DAN130 | Musical Theatre Dance II | 1 |
| DAN229 | Musical Theatre Dance III | 1 |
| DAN230 | Musical Theatre Dance IV | 1 |
| Ballroom | ||
| DAN104++ | Any Ballroom Course | 1 |
| DAN106AA | Latin I | 1 |
| DAN106AB | Latin II | 1 |
| Jazz | ||
| DAN133 | Jazz Dance I | 1 |
| DAN136 | Jazz Dance II | 1 |
| DAN233 | Jazz Dance III | 1 |
| DAN233AA | Jazz Dance III: Intensive | 2 |
| DAN236 | Jazz Dance IV | 1 |
| DAN236AA | Jazz Dance IV: Intensive | 2 |
| Ballet | ||
| DAN131 | Ballet I | 1 |
| DAN134 | Ballet II | 1 |
| DAN231 | Ballet III | 1 |
| DAN231AA | Ballet III: Intensive | 2 |
| DAN234 | Ballet IV | 1 |
| DAN234AA | Ballet IV: Intensive | 2 |
| Modern | ||
| DAN132 | Modern Dance I | 1 |
| DAN135 | Modern Dance II | 1 |
| DAN232 | Modern Dance III | 1 |
| DAN232AA | Modern Dance III: Intensive | 2 |
| DAN235 | Modern Dance IV | 1 |
| DAN235AA | Modern Dance IV: Intensive | 2 |
| Tap | ||
| DAN140 | Tap Dance I | 1 |
| DAN145 | Tap Dance II | 1 |
| DAN240 | Tap Dance III | 1 |
| DAN245 | Tap Dance IV | 1 |
| Hip Hop | ||
| DAN102++ | Any Hip Hop Course | 1 |
| DAN202++ | Any Hip Hop Course | 1 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 1-3 | |
| Select an elective course within the area of Dance, Music Performance, and/or Theatre Performance/Production in consultation with a Faculty Program advisor and/or a Visual and Performing Arts student success analyst. Course cannot be used to satisfy Required Courses. | ||
| DAN+++ Any DAN Dance course | ||
| MUP+++ Any MUP Music: Performance course | ||
| THP+++ Any Theatre Performance/Production course | ||
| AGEC-A | Credits: 35-38 | |
|
A single course with an [HU], [SB], [L], or [SG/SQ] designation may also be used to satisfy the Oral Communication, Critical Reading, or Awareness Area ([C], [G] and/or [H]) requirement(s). See the AGEC Matrix for course designations. |
||
| First-Year Composition [FYC] | Credits: 6 | |
| ENG101 | First-Year Composition (3) OR | |
| ENG107 | First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND | |
| ENG102 | First-Year Composition (3) OR | |
| ENG108 | First-Year Composition for ESL (3) | 6 |
| Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] | Credits: 3 | |
| THE220 | Modern Drama | 3 |
| Mathematics [MA] | Credits: 3-6 | |
| MAT140 | College Mathematics (5) OR | |
| MAT141 | College Mathematics (4) OR | |
| MAT142 | College Mathematics (3) OR | |
| MAT145 | College Mathematics with Review (5) OR | |
| MAT146 | College Mathematics with Review (6) OR | |
| Any higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area | 3-6 | |
| Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] | Credits: 3 | |
| Any approved general education course in the Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] area. | 3 | |
| Recommended: MTC180 Computer Literacy for Musicians | 3 | |
| Humanities, Arts and Design [HU] | Credits: 6 | |
| MHL146 | Survey of Broadway Musicals (3) | |
| AND | ||
| DAH100 | Introduction to Dance in the United States (3) OR | |
| DAH250 | Dance in Popular Culture (3) OR | |
| THE111 | Introduction to Theatre (3) | 6 |
| Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB] | Credits: 6 | |
| COM100 | Introduction to Human Communication | 3 |
| Any approved general education courses in the Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB] with the Cultural Diversity in the US [C] designation and the (Global Awareness [G] or Historical [H]) area. | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences [SG]/[SQ] | Credits: 8 | |
| Any approved general education course in the Natural Sciences (Quantitative) [SQ] area | 4 | |
| Any approved general education course in the Natural Sciences (Quantitative) [SQ] area or the Natural Sciences (General) [SG] area | 4 | |
| MCCCD Additional Requirements | ||
| MCCCD Additional Requirements | Credits: 0-3 | |
| Courses in this area may also be applied to AGEC Requirements. To minimize total credits required for degree and maximize transferable credits, it is recommended that courses be selected that meet more than one requirement wherever possible. | ||
| Critical Reading | Credits: 0-3 | |
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR | |
| Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0) | 0-3 | |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | ||
| Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals. | ||
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.
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