Theatre Arts AA-T Degree

Theatre Arts is the study of the creative, historical, technical, and cultural aspects of performance. Career paths chosen by students pursuing undergraduate studies in Theatre Arts commonly include performance, education, design, and communication. Careers in the discipline that generally require graduate-level degrees include dramatic criticism and education. Even students who choose not to major in Theatre Arts find that coursework in the field can improve their ability to communicate, problem solve, speak publicly, build self-confidence, and work successfully both collaboratively and independently.  College of the Desert’s Theatre Arts curriculum includes course offerings that provide a general overview and history of the discipline, training in acting, makeup, design, technical production, and script analysis. 

The Associate in Arts in Theatre Arts for Transfer, also called the Theatre Arts AA-T Degree, consists of courses and training allowing students to pursue entry-level positions as performers and technicians or to continue their study in the discipline toward a B.A. or Graduate degree. College of the Desert offers transfer agreements with California State Universities, the University of California systems and independent colleges and universities.The Theatre Arts AA-T requires students to complete 60 CSU transferable units including completion of CSU GE or IGETC and 18 units in the major with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Title 5 requires that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. There are no additional graduation requirements.  Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

Course Code Title Units
Required Core CoursesUnits
TA 001Introduction to Theatre3
TA 002Acting I3
Select maximum of 3 units from either Rehearsal and Performance or Technical Theatre Practicum:3
Rehearsal and Performance (maximum 3 units)
TA 020Play Production - Acting1
TA 021Play Production - Acting2
TA 022Play Production - Acting3
or Technical Theater Practicum (maximum 3 units)
TA 030Technical Theatre Production (Repeatable 3 times)1
List A
Select 3 courses from the following: (9 units)
TA 003Acting II3
TA 004Script Analysis3
TA 009Stagecraft3
TA 010Introduction to Design & Production3
TA 080Theatre Makeup3
3 units maximum from the following if not used in core
TA 020Play Production - Acting1
TA 021Play Production - Acting2
TA 022Play Production - Acting3
Or 3 units maximum from the following if not used in core
TA 030Technical Theatre Production (Repeatable 3 times)1
Required Subtotal18
Select one of the following: 137-39
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 transferable units) 2
DEGREE TOTAL60
1

Units for the major may be double counted for CSU GE or IGETC, confer with Counselor.

2

Elective units to reach 60 unit total must be CSU transferable, confer with Counselor.

Please refer to Associate Degree for Transfer (SB 1440).