Music Degree Requirements

• Music Teacher (Vocal, Instrumental, General Music)
  • Community School
  • Parks & Rec Program
  • Public/Private K-12 School
  • College or University
  • Private Music Teacher
• Band, Orchestral, Choral Music Director
  • K-12 school ensemble director
  • College, Conservatory & University ensemble director
  • Community ensemble director
• Church or Synagogue Music Director
  • Cantor (Church, Synagogue)
  • Church Organist
• Conductor (Vocal or Instrumental)
  • Educational Settings (K-12, College, University)
  • Church & Community Settings
  • Community Choirs
• Music Director (Musical Theater)
  • K-12 school musical theater director
  • College, Conservatory & University musical theater director
  • Community musical theater director
• Collaborative Pianist (Accompanist)
• Composer or Arranger
  • Film, TV, Gaming, Commercial jingles
  • Songwriter
  • Lyricist
• Symphony Orchestra musician
  • Ballet: orchestra musician, conductor
  • Concertmaster (Orchestra)
  • Section Leader (Orchestra)
  • Section Member (Orchestra)
  • Orchestra Manager
• Musical Theater Singer
  • Broadway, Off-Broadway, Touring Shows
    • National, Regional, Local
  • Concerts and Recitals: performer, producer
  • Floor Shows (Hotels, casinos, clubs)
  • Band Member (Vocalist)
• Opera Singer
  • Productions, Concerts and Recitals
    • National, Regional, Local
• Music Librarian
• Music Therapist
• Sound Designer
• Sound Technician
• Recording Artist
• Studio Musician
• Music Publisher
• Music Copyist
• Music Licensing Consultant
• Music Producer
• Radio Music Director
• Music Store Manager
• Music Instrument Sales Representative
• Music Instrument Repair and Restoration Specialist
• Music Instrument Builder/Designer
• Piano Tuner/Technician

Music majors should meet with a full-time faculty member for advising and planning for timely completion of the AA degree in Music.

1. Music majors with prior piano experience may meet the Piano Proficiency requirement (MUSC 031A/B) via credit by examination. Music majors with no prior piano experience should enroll in Beginning Piano (MUSC 030A/B) using elective units, to remediate prior to enrolling in Intermediate Piano (MUSC 31A/B).
2. Music majors deficient in knowledge of scales, key signatures, intervals and chords are advised to take Fundamentals of Music (MUSC 005) to remediate prior to enrolling in Theory Level 1 (MUSC 003A).
3. Audition is required for admission to large ensembles (MUSC 42, 48, 49), and the Applied Music program (MUSC 039A-G). Admission is based on the skill level and likelihood the student will be able to meet transfer audition requirements two years hence.
4. This is a high-unit program due to multiple, sequential subject matter courses beginning in the first semester in accordance with NASM standards. It will require the student to take classes during Winter and/or Summer intersessions in order to complete the program including all transfer GE requirements in two years.

The Associate of Arts in Music provides students the lower division coursework required for transfer to CSU and other NASM-accredited schools for the goal of a baccalaureate degree (Bachelor of Arts in Music, or Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Music Education). A BA, BM or BMusEd is the minimum degree required to teach music in accredited K-12 schools, in addition to an additional year to obtain a credential to teach in public schools. The Associate of Arts in Music is the first step toward reaching those milestones.

Students who complete the Associate in Arts in Music will be able to:

1. Demonstrate proficiency on voice or instrument in transfer auditions, incorporating accurate performance practice based on historical eras and diverse musical styles;
2. Perform standard solo and ensemble repertoire appropriate to the performance area;
3. Demonstrate the ability to hear, identify and work conceptually with the elements of music, through sight-reading and musical analysis in placement exams;
4. Critique musical performances with an awareness of vocabulary, musical style, performance practice, and interpretation suitable for transfer to a school of music;
5. Create derivative or original music in extemporaneous and/or written form in placement exams.

The Associate of Arts in Music is a 68-70 unit program which provides students the lower division coursework required for transfer to CSU and other NASM-accredited schools for the goal of a baccalaureate degree (Bachelor of Arts in Music, or Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Music Education. Students must complete the California State University General Education Breadth pattern (CSU GE-Breadth) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern AND the following 37 semester units in the music major, with a minimum grade point (GPA) of 2.0, while earning a grade of C or better in all courses required for the major.

Core Requirements: Music Theory, Musicianship, History, Piano, Digital Notation (22 units)

Complete four semesters each of Music Theory and Musicianship (MUSC 003A and 020A, 003B and 020B, 004A, 004B); two semesters of Intermediate Piano class (MUSC 031A, 031B); one semester of Music History (MUSC 001); one semester of Digital Notation & Audio (MUSC 066). NOTE: Credit by examination is authorized for MUSC 031A and/or MUSC 031B to those students possessing prior piano experience. See Credit By Examination protocols in the College Catalog of Classes.

Core Requirements: Applied Music (4 units)

Complete four semesters of the same Applied Music course (MUSC 039A-G) based on major instrument of study. NOTE: Changing instrument and/or course will delay completion of this requirement.

Core Requirements: Large Ensemble (4 units)

Complete four semesters of the same Large Ensemble course (MUSC 042, 048, 049) appropriate to major instrument of study, as determined by music faculty.

Electives: Music Electives (7 units)

Complete seven units from the list of approved music courses.

Fall, Year 1 (7 units)

Spring, Year 1 (7 units)

Summer, Year 1 (3 units)

Fall, Year 2 (10 units)

Spring, Year 2 (10 units)

MUSC 003A is an advisory for MUSC 003B

MUSC 003B is a prerequisite for MUSC 004A

MUSC 004A is a prerequisite for MUSC 004B

MUSC 020A is a corequisite with MUSC 003A

MUSC 020B is a corequisite with MUSC 003B

MUSC 039A or B or C or D or E or F or G must be taken 4 times concurrently with MUS 042 or 048 or 049

MUSC 042 or 048 or 049 are corequisites to MUSC 039A-G

Auditions and placement exams will be administered for Applied Music, Large Ensemble, and Theory classes. Please visit the Music Departmentfor more information.

Year 1, Fall

6 units + Music elective + GE

Year 1, Spring

7 units + Music elective + GE

Year 1, Summer

3 units

Year 2, Fall

7 units + Music elective + GE

Year 2, Spring

7 units + Music elective + GE

Total: 68–70 units

Fall, Year 1 (6 units)

Spring, Year 1 (6 units)

Fall, Year 2 (6 units)

Spring, Year 2 (6 units)

Fall, Year 1 (9 units)

Spring, Year 1 (9 units)

Required Core: 18 units

Elective Units: 0 units

Total Units: 18 units

General education courses are NOT required for a certificate program

NOTE: The Recommended Sequence on eLumen shows the progression for a two year residency, but the certificate can be obtained in just one year.

Fall – Semester 1

Spring – Semester 2