Academic Catalogs

Dance Instructor, Certificate of Achievement

Banner Code: 1_CT_DNDI

Control Number: 22407

Financial Aid Eligible


The Dance certificate program trains students for positions in the commercial and artistic areas of dance. Graduates of the program would be qualified as instructors with an emphasis in one of the following: ballet, modern, jazz, tap and world dance forms in private studios, recreation or other community dance programs. The Dance Department also recommends that students complete their General Education Requirements for an Associate Degree.

Students are able to apply principles of movement and creativity to all forms of dance, demonstrate skills of instructing dance to communicate through movement and words, and apply information learned in other disciplines to the art form of dance.

Instruction will utilize both classroom work, using a variety of instructional methods (lecture, lab/demonstration, independent and group projects) and internship experiences in business/industry to prepare the student for job requirements.

Program Outcomes

  1. Communicate proper dance technique effectively through movement demonstration and verbal cueing, using appropriate corresponding terminology and safety measures.
  2. Successfully teach and perform in one or more of the following styles, including but not limited to: Modern dance, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop or Contemporary dance.

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

The Certificate of Achievement is a state-approved career program that requires a minimum of eight units and is designed to prepare the graduate to enter a particular field of employment.  In order to be awarded a certificate, students are required to obtain a grade of “C” or better in all program-required courses. Grades of “CR” or “P” will be accepted whereas “CR” or “P” meets the equivalency of a “C” or better.  At least 3 units in an advanced course from the certificate must be completed at OCC at the department’s discretion.  Certificates of Achievement are not automatically awarded.  A petition must be filed in Enrollment Services or online at the beginning of the semester in which the student will be completing their final requirements.  The petitioning periods are listed in the Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.  Check with a counselor to determine the requirements for completion.

A list of certificate programs can be found in the Programs A-Z section of this catalog.  

Course Title Units
Required Courses
DANC A119Kinesiology For Dance3
DANC A152Pilates Apparatus & Mat Work Level 11-2
or DANC A153 Pilates Apparatus & Mat Work Level 2
DANC A150Dance Improvisation I1
or DANC A250 Dance Improvisation II
DANC A160Dance Composition/Choreography I3
or DANC A162 Dance Composition/Choreography II
or DANC A262 Dance Composition/Choreography III
DANC A170Music for Dancers2
DANC A180Dance Wellness and Injury Prevention3
DANC A200Appreciation Of Dance3
DANC A201Rehearsal and Performance I1
or DANC A202 Rehearsal and Performance II
DANC A205Dance as a Profession Seminar2
DANC A210Dance Methodology3
DANC A211Repertoire I1-4
or DANC A212 Repertoire II
DANC A220Dance Internship I1
DANC A221Dance Internship II1
DANC A143Jazz Dance III2
or DANC A243 Jazz IV
or DANC A253 Preparation for Audition - Jazz
DANC A144Ballet III2
or DANC A244 Ballet IV
or DANC A254 Preparation for Audition - Ballet
DANC A145Modern Dance III2
or DANC A245 Modern IV
or DANC A255 Preparation for Audition - Modern
DANC A125Tap 10.5-2
or DANC A126 Tap 2
or DANC A146 Tap III
or DANC A246 Tap IV
or DANC A256 Preparation for Audition - Tap
Restricted Electives
Select three units of dance techniques from at least two different dance styles:3
African Dance and Drumming I
African Dance and Drumming II
African Dance and Drumming III
Classical Danc of India
Contemporary Commercial Dance
Contemporary Commercial Dance 2
Flamenco Dance 1
Flamenco Dance 2
Flamenco Dance 3
Flamenco Dance 4
Hip-Hop Dance I
Hip-Hop Dance II
Hip-Hop Dance III
Hip Hop 4
Intro To World Dance
Latin Dance Styles I
Latin Dance Styles II
Latin Dance Styles III
Mid-Eastern Dance 1
Mid-Eastern Dance 2
Mid-Eastern Dance 3
Mid-Eastern Dance 4
Polynesian Dance
Polynesian Dance 2
Total Units34.5-40

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are curriculum maps for students to finish all requirements for the certificate. There may be advisories, prerequisites, or time requirements that students need to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor for alternate sequencing. 

Some courses in this program may be offered once per academic year.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
DANC A119 Kinesiology For Dance 3
DANC A152
Pilates Apparatus & Mat Work Level 1
or Pilates Apparatus & Mat Work Level 2
1-2
DANC A170 Music for Dancers 2
DANC A180 Dance Wellness and Injury Prevention 3
 Units9-10
Semester 2
DANC A150
Dance Improvisation I
or Dance Improvisation II
1
DANC A205 Dance as a Profession Seminar 2
DANC A211
Repertoire I
or Repertoire II
1-4
DANC A200 Appreciation Of Dance 3
DANC A201
Rehearsal and Performance I
or Rehearsal and Performance II
1
DANC A144
Ballet III
or Ballet IV
or Preparation for Audition - Ballet
2
RESTRICTED ELECTIVES (See Requirements) 1
 Units11-14
Year 2
Semester 1
DANC A143
Jazz Dance III
or Jazz IV
or Preparation for Audition - Jazz
2
DANC A160
Dance Composition/Choreography I
or Dance Composition/Choreography II
or Dance Composition/Choreography III
3
DANC A220 Dance Internship I 1
RESTRICTED ELECTIVES (See Requirements) 1
 Units7
Semester 2
DANC A125
Tap 1
or Tap 2
or Tap III
or Tap IV
or Preparation for Audition - Tap
0.5-2
DANC A145
Modern Dance III
or Modern IV
or Preparation for Audition - Modern
2
DANC A210 Dance Methodology 3
DANC A221 Dance Internship II 1
RESTRICTED ELECTIVES (See Requirements) 1
 Units7.5-9
 Total Units34.5-40