Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Musical Theatre

Music Theatre
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Learn more about the Musical Theatre program.

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Course Sequence

Field of Interest

Field of Interest: Visual and Performing Arts

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

  Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
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
2026-2027
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.

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.

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.

Career Opportunities

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
$50,007
Choreographers
$51,813
Dancers
$57,538
Postsecondary Art, Drama, and Music Teachers
$73,152
Producers
$55,628
Producers and Directors
$65,574
Secondary School Teachers
$62,658
Self-Enrichment Education Teachers
$45,229
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
Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)

Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include:

  • Oral Communication [OCM] (3 Credits)
  • Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] (3 Credits)
  • Institutions in the Americas [IAM] (3 Credits)

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:

  • Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] (3 Credits)
  • Computers/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] (3-5 Credits)
  • Cultural, Global, and Historical Awareness Areas [C, G, H] (0-3 Credits)
  • Subject Options -AGEC-S only (8 Credits)

For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUP102AA Private Instruction: Voice 2
MUP/THO270 or
MUP/THO270AA		 Musical Theatre Workshop Critical course Gateway course MUP/THP270AA must 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, WCM or FYC, WCM 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics Critical course OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206. QNR 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
Dance Dance Select a total of four (4) credits from the Dance course list. 1–2

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MHL146 Survey of Broadway Musicals AHM, HU 3
MUP152AA Private Instruction: Voice 2
MUP/THP273 Musical Theatre Production MUP/THP273 must be completed for credit twice. 2
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC, WCM or WCM, FYC 3
OCM Oral Communication OCM 3
Dance Dance Select a total of four (4) credits from the Dance course list. 1–2

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAH100 or
DAH250 or
THE111		 Introduction to Dance in the United States or Dance in Popular Culture or Introduction to Theatre HU, AHM or AHM, C, HU or AHM, HU 3
MTC105 or
MTC155 or
MTC205 or
MTC255		 Music Theory/Aural Perception I or Music Theory/Aural Perception II or Music Theory III or Music Theory/Aural Perception IV 3
MUP202AA Private Instruction: Voice 2
NSI Natural Sciences NSI 4
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences SCB 3
Dance Dance Select a total of four (4) credits from the Dance course list. 1–2

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUP252AA Private Instruction: Voice 2
DAN+++ or
MUP+++ or
THP+++		 Any DAN Dance 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 Plan Course Requirements. 1–3
IAM Institutions of the Americas IAM 3
NSI Natural Sciences NSI 4
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences SCB 3
Dance Dance Select a total of four (4) credits from the Dance course list. 1–2

Dance Course List

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.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAN129 Musical Theatre Dance I Musical Theatre 1
DAN130 Musical Theatre Dance II Musical Theatre 1
DAN229 Musical Theatre Dance III Musical Theatre 1
DAN230 Musical Theatre Dance IV Musical Theatre 1
DAN104AA Ballroom I Ballroom 1
DAN104AB Ballroom II Ballroom 1
DAN106AA Latin I Ballroom 1
DAN106AB Latin II Ballroom 1
DAN133 Jazz Dance I Jazz 1
DAN136 Jazz Dance II Jazz 1
DAN233 Jazz Dance III Jazz 1
DAN233AA Jazz Dance III: Intensive Jazz 2
DAN236 Jazz Dance IV Jazz 1
DAN236AA Jazz Dance IV: Intensive Jazz 2
DAN131 Ballet I Ballet 1
DAN134 Ballet II Ballet 1
DAN231 Ballet III Ballet 1
DAN231AA Ballet III: Intensive Ballet 2
DAN234 Ballet IV Ballet 1
DAN234AA Ballet IV: Intensive Ballet 2
DAN132 Modern Dance I Modern 1
DAN135 Modern Dance II Modern 1
DAN232 Modern Dance III Modern 1
DAN232AA Modern Dance III: Intensive Modern 2
DAN235 Modern Dance IV Modern 1
DAN235AA Modern Dance IV: Intensive Modern 2
DAN140 Tap Dance I Tap 1
DAN145 Tap Dance II Tap 1
DAN240 Tap Dance III Tap 1
DAN245 Tap Dance IV Tap 1
DAN102++ Any Hip Hop Course Hip Hop 1
DAN202++ Any Hip Hop Course Hip Hop 1

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)

Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include:

  • Oral Communication [OCM] (3 Credits)
  • Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] (3 Credits)
  • Institutions in the Americas [IAM] (3 Credits)

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:

  • Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] (3 Credits)
  • Computers/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] (3-5 Credits)
  • Cultural, Global, and Historical Awareness Areas [C, G, H] (0-3 Credits)
  • Subject Options -AGEC-S only (8 Credits)

For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUP102AA Private Instruction: Voice 2
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM 3
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
MAT14+ College Mathematics Critical course OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206. QNR 3–6
MUP152AA Private Instruction: Voice 2
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC, WCM or WCM, FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
THP112 Acting I Critical course 3
Dance Dance Select a total of four (4) credits from the Dance course list. 1–2
MUP202AA Private Instruction: Voice 2

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUP/THO270 or
MUP/THO270AA		 Musical Theatre Workshop Critical course Gateway course MUP/THP270AA must be completed for credit twice. 1–2
MHL146 Survey of Broadway Musicals AHM, HU 3
Dance Dance Select a total of four (4) credits from the Dance course list. 1–2
MUP252AA Private Instruction: Voice 2

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUP/THP273 Musical Theatre Production MUP/THP273 must be completed for credit twice. 2
NSI Natural Sciences NSI 4
Dance Dance Select a total of four (4) credits from the Dance course list. 1–2

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAH100 or
DAH250 or
THE111		 Introduction to Dance in the United States or Dance in Popular Culture or Introduction to Theatre HU, AHM or AHM, C, HU or AHM, HU 3
IAM Institutions of the Americas IAM 3
Dance Dance Select a total of four (4) credits from the Dance course list. 1–2

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MTC105 or
MTC155 or
MTC205 or
MTC255		 Music Theory/Aural Perception I or Music Theory/Aural Perception II or Music Theory III or Music Theory/Aural Perception IV 3
OCM Oral Communication OCM 3
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences SCB 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
NSI Natural Sciences NSI 4
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences SCB 3
DAN+++ or
MUP+++ or
THP+++		 Any DAN Dance 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 Plan Course Requirements. 1–3

Dance Course List

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.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DAN129 Musical Theatre Dance I Musical Theatre 1
DAN130 Musical Theatre Dance II Musical Theatre 1
DAN229 Musical Theatre Dance III Musical Theatre 1
DAN230 Musical Theatre Dance IV Musical Theatre 1
DAN104AA Ballroom I Ballroom 1
DAN104AB Ballroom II Ballroom 1
DAN106AA Latin I Ballroom 1
DAN106AB Latin II Ballroom 1
DAN133 Jazz Dance I Jazz 1
DAN136 Jazz Dance II Jazz 1
DAN233 Jazz Dance III Jazz 1
DAN233AA Jazz Dance III: Intensive Jazz 2
DAN236 Jazz Dance IV Jazz 1
DAN236AA Jazz Dance IV: Intensive Jazz 2
DAN131 Ballet I Ballet 1
DAN134 Ballet II Ballet 1
DAN231 Ballet III Ballet 1
DAN231AA Ballet III: Intensive Ballet 2
DAN234 Ballet IV Ballet 1
DAN234AA Ballet IV: Intensive Ballet 2
DAN132 Modern Dance I Modern 1
DAN135 Modern Dance II Modern 1
DAN232 Modern Dance III Modern 1
DAN232AA Modern Dance III: Intensive Modern 2
DAN235 Modern Dance IV Modern 1
DAN235AA Modern Dance IV: Intensive Modern 2
DAN140 Tap Dance I Tap 1
DAN145 Tap Dance II Tap 1
DAN240 Tap Dance III Tap 1
DAN245 Tap Dance IV Tap 1
DAN102++ Any Hip Hop Course Hip Hop 1
DAN202++ Any Hip Hop Course Hip Hop 1

General Electives

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.

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Become a Student

Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.

Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Musical Theatre program.

General Help

Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.

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.

  • AHM = Arts and Humanities
  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • FYC = First-Year Composition
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts & Design
  • IAM = Institutions of the Americas
  • NSI = Natural Sciences
  • OCM = Oral Communication
  • QNR = Quantitative Reasoning
  • SCB = Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • WCM = Written Communication

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.

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, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/acres.woa/wa/customView?id=16462127.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA) in Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Musical Theatre