Theatre Arts
Associate in Arts for Transfer School of Arts and Social Sciences · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
School of Arts and Social Sciences
The Theatre curriculum is designed to meet the lower division requirements of most California State Universities offering a general major in Theatre or Drama. Students that complete an AA-T in Theatre from Merced College will be prepared for upper division course work in Theatre, Theatre Arts or Drama at a California State University.
The Associate in Arts Degree in Theatre Arts for Transfer will prepare the student for transfer as a junior-level student to selected general Theatre or Drama programs in the California State University system. In addition, it will also prepare the student for pre-professional theatre work, community theatre work, future Theatre conservatory training, and some specialized BFA programs in Performance and Technical Theatre. The student should note that the AA-T in Theatre will not always transfer to specialized BFA programs in Performance or Design in the CSU system.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
A. Demonstrate an understanding of Theatre as a collaborative art form by performing or participating in a variety of theatrical genres from both contemporary and classical theatre at a level equal to junior-level peers within the CSU system.
B. Demonstrate high artistic standards, professional responsibility, and safety with regard to acting or technical proficiency, rehearsal preparation and live performance.
C. Employ foundational skills in stagecraft - including a basic understanding of technical terminology, tools, properties construction, costume construction and light and sound board operation.
D. Analyze culturally diverse performance, genres, and histories.
E. Demonstrate an understanding and working knowledge of how to produce a play on the stage, including an appreciation of all theatre occupations - playwriting, directing, acting, design and technical production.
For an Associate in Arts in Theatre for Transfer (AA-T), students must complete the following:
60 semester CSU-transferable units.
the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern.
a minimum of 18 semester in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district.
obtainment of a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
earn a grade of C (or P) or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.
Note: Students are not required to complete any additional local graduation requirements for the AA-T (e.g., PE and Computer and Information Literacy courses).
Program Requirements:
Program Core: (18 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core (9 units): | ||
| THTR-01 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| orTHTR-04 | World Theatre I | 3 |
| THTR-10 | Acting I | 3 |
| THTR-20 | Rehearsal and Performance in Production | 3 |
| Elective: Choose 9 units from the list below: | ||
| THTR-11 | Acting II | 3 |
| THTR-30 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THTR-31 | Introduction to Theatre Design | 3 |
| THTR-21 | Technical Theatre in Production | 3 |
| THTR-14 | Script Analysis: Plays in Performance | 3 |
| Total Units for Major | 18 | |
Total Units that may be double counted: (-3 units)
General Education (Cal-GETC) Units: (34 Units)
Elective (CSU Transferable) Units: (11 units)
Total Degree Units: (60 Units)