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2025-2026 Catalog

Arts & Humanities Guided Pathway to Success, AA

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Associate of Arts - Arts and Humanities Guided Pathway to Success

The Arts and Humanities Pathway will introduce students to the history of ideas that have defined cultures through a study of the visual arts, literature, film, theater, music, journalism and mass media. We emphasize connections among the arts, and how artistic expression has shaped humanity. Students may choose to pursue an AFA in Art or Music or an AA with tracks in English, Media Studies, Music, or Theatre that will prepare them to obtain a bachelor’s degree and work in a wide variety of fields.

Extra-Curricular/Co-curricular Opportunities at ECC: The Fine Arts programs are known throughout the area for the ECC art gallery, band, music and Theatre performances that involve ECC students, ECC alumni, community members, and visiting artists and musicians. The English and Media Studies Departments sponsor student publications and writing contests, and organize the ECC Film and Lecture Series.

East Central College is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music

Fall Semester (16-18 hours)

Spring Semester (13-17 Hours)

English Emphasis

Arts and Humanities Guided Pathway to Success-English

The ECC Associate of Arts with an emphasis in English prepares students to transfer and obtain a bachelor’s degree in English or related fields. The program of study consists of the general education core classes plus specific electives, including literature and writing courses. Those pursuing a degree in English become critical, analytical, and creative thinkers and writers. Students of English at ECC work closely with their instructors and advisors to choose courses that will challenge them and help them grow, all while transferring seamlessly to four-year colleges and universities. Obtaining an English degree opens up a world of possibilities for graduates. While English majors often go into fields such as publishing, corporate communications, copywriting, film and television, journalism, academia, technical writing and editing, English majors develop critical thinking, communication and analytical skills that can be highly sought after in business, marketing, finance, the nonprofit sector and public service. A bachelor’s degree in English is often a foundational degree for further studies in law or library science.

Extra-Curricular/Cocurricular Opportunities at ECC: The ECC English Department holds a Writing Contest in fall and spring semesters, which awards students cash prizes and publication opportunities for creative and academic writing. Students can also get involved in the ECC Literary and Art Review by submitting work and helping create the publication, and Creative Writing students can be chosen to participate in the annual Faculty and Student Poetry Invitational Reading. ECC Student Media produces the student newspaper, the Cornerstone (in print and online); and an arts and culture magazine, the Cusp. The ECC Film and Lecture Series features critically acclaimed documentary and narrative films, scholars, authors, and journalists. 

English 2nd Year Fall (14-16 Hours)

English 2nd Year Spring (16-17 Hours)

English Pathway Electives

Media Studies Emphasis

Arts and Humanities Guided Pathway to Success - Media Studies

The ECC Associate of Arts with an emphasis in Media Studies prepares students to transfer and obtain a bachelor’s degree in Mass Media, Communications and Journalism related fields. The program of study consists of the general education core classes plus specific electives, including introductory courses in media studies and production. Those pursuing a degree in Media Studies work closely with their instructors and advisors to choose courses that will challenge them and help them grow, all while transferring seamlessly to four-year colleges and universities. ECC has a transfer agreement with the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri - Columbia. Students who wish to pursue this transfer option should work closely with their advisor to follow a specific program of study. Obtaining a degree in Media Studies opens up a world of possibilities for graduates. Media Studies majors work as copywriters, broadcast journalists, newspaper reporters, editors, producers, designers, photojournalists, investigative journalists, art directors, arts and culture writers, magazine writers, multimedia producers, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, public relations specialists and marketing and advertising specialists. The degree also gives students a strong foundation for many career paths with its focus on research, writing, law, ethics and technology. 

Extra-Curricular/Cocurricular Opportunities at ECC: Students at ECC have a wide range of opportunities to be involved in media production. ECC Student Media produces the student newspaper, the Cornerstone (in print and online); and an arts and culture magazine, the Cusp. The ECC Film and Lecture Series features critically acclaimed documentary and narrative films, scholars, authors, and journalists. Students can also get involved in the ECC Literary and Art Review by submitting work and helping create the publication, and the ECC English Department holds a Writing Contest in the fall and spring semesters, which awards students cash prizes and publication opportunities for creative and academic writing.

Media Studies 2nd Year Fall (14 Hours)

Media Studies 2nd Year Spring (15 Hours)

Media Studies Pathway Electives

Music Emphasis

Arts and Humanities Guided Pathway to Success - Music 

The ECC Associate of Arts with an emphasis in Music prepares students to pursue the Bachelor of Music Education degree and other degrees in music. The Department of Music at East Central College offers a viable transfer program, a variety of performing and learning experiences and a dynamic concert series for the campus and region. Our talented faculty members offer high quality instruction in general education and core music curriculum and music performance fields which includes: music theory I-IV, music history, Applied music in voice, piano, woodwind, strings, brass, percussion, guitar, choral ensembles, band ensembles, percussion ensembles, music appreciation, world music, fundamentals of music, jazz improvisation, and class pianos in a state-of-the-art class piano lab. Music majors are employed in numerous career fields, including education, music therapy, performance, music library services, promotions and marketing, and composing.

Extra-Curricular/Cocurricular Opportunities at ECC: The department offers a variety of performance opportunities through student recitals and ensemble concerts.  The college is recognized as a center of artistic excellence in the community, offering a rewarding cultural and intellectual learning environment. Students have the opportunities to attend on-campus performances, lectures and master classes by world-class artists. Numerous performance ensembles are available to all East Central College students and community members: College Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, College Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Percussion Ensemble, Piano Ensemble, String Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble.

Music Second Year Fall (14-15 Hours)

Music Second Year Spring (15-18 Hours)

Theatre Emphasis

Arts and Humanities Guided Pathway to Success - Theater

The ECC Associate of Arts with an emphasis in Theatre prepares students to transfer and obtain a BA/BFA in Theatre Performance or Technical Theatre. The mission of the Department of Theatre and Communications at East Central College is to provide students with academic training and practical experience in a nurturing yet challenging educational environment along with serving as a cultural touchstone for the surrounding community. Obtaining an AA Degree with an Emphasis in Theatre gives majors a wide variety of career options. Theatre majors develop critical thinking, communication, teamwork and analytical skills that give them a leg up in the job market. Possible careers include academia, performance, design, communication fields, marketing and public relations and human resources.

Extra-Curricular/Cocurricular Opportunities at ECC: Students of ECC Theatre have the opportunity to participate in 4-5 fully staged shows per year as well as a staged reading performance that is offered every fall in Acting I and II. Students work behind the scenes in prop design, lighting design, set design and running crew. The Theatre Department brings in master artists from around the world to work with students on choreography, costume design, playwriting and music direction. Students have the chance to present work they have directed to the public in Directing I. ECC Theatre students also are offered professional internships with Variety Children’s Theatre every fall working in Wardrobe. The Department has several Student Worker positions open in Design and Production Assistance.

Theatre Second Year Fall (16 Hours)

Theatre Second Year Spring (16-18 Hours)

Threatre Pathway Electives

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