Schools & Programs
Dean College’s academic programs are developed to insure that students get the background and foundation they need to be well prepared for their next step, whether that next step is transfer or a career. Our diverse range of offerings are housed within 5 academic schools, each designed to address the individual needs of our students.
School of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dean’s liberal arts umbrella is the largest school on campus and encompasses a wide range of academic programs from our broad-based Liberal Arts & Studies program to applied programs including Early Childhood Education, Criminal Justice and Sport/Fitness Studies. Majors in the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences focus on specific learning goals including critical thinking and problem solving, written and verbal communications, teamwork and leadership, technology and information literacy, quantitative reasoning, scientific inquiry, understanding the human condition and personal identity development. The School of Liberal Arts & Sciences awards both associate and baccalaureate degrees.
School of Business
Unlike many other business programs that attempt to narrow student focus from day one, the School of Business at Dean College is designed to help students understand all aspects of business within both a theoretical and practical framework. By taking this approach, Dean’s graduates are prepared not only for an initial career, but also to be flexible, life-long learners who can easily adapt to the constantly changing global business world. Through the associate or baccalaureate degree, our students learn how to be successful business people by learning from people who have succeeded in business, not just studied it.
Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance
The world renowned Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance is the only school in the Northeast that offers both an A.A. and a B.A. degree in dance. It is also one of the few programs in the country that offers intensive training in all four major dance disciplines: Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Tap. The School of Dance offers students conservatory level training within the academic rigor of a liberal arts program, providing graduates unmatched flexibility to pursue careers as professional dancers and teachers or any other career field within the arts world and beyond.
Admission to the School of Dance is based on a combination of review of academic credentials provided through the Dean College Application for Admissions as well as an audition process. More information on applying to the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance can be found at www.dean.edu/audition.
School of the Arts
The Dean College School of the Arts encompasses the A.A. and B.A. degrees in Theatre, the B.A. in Arts and Entertainment Management and the A.A. degree in Communications. Each program is designed to provide students an appropriate balance between theory and practical experience to lead to a successful career in the world of the arts as a performer, technician, teacher, director, manager, business professional or any other career path you may be pursuing.
Students within the Theatre curriculum may specialize in Theatre, Musical Theatre, or Design/Tech and can emphasize in performance, directing or technical production. Communications students have access to state-of-the-art equipment including sound and video production studios and can work in our professionally operating, Arbitron rated radio station, Power 88. Arts and Entertainment Management students may focus in interdisciplinary studies or focus in media arts or performing arts.
Applicants to the Theatre program are required to complete an audition process. Additional information can be found at www.dean.edu/audition.
School of Professional and Continuing Studies
Students who wish to pursue a program of study at Dean College on a part-time basis will enroll through our School of Professional and Continuing Studies. Students may enroll in baccalaureate or associate degree programs. Additionally, SPCS students may also pursue certificate study or individual courses for professional development, advanced academic standing at another institution, or personal enrichment.