Music, Associate in Arts

The Associate in Arts in Music prepares students with musical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area at a level appropriate to a particular music concentration. Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate fundamental musical skills including performance, keyboard competency, theory, and musicianship.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Perform a musical composition that demonstrates an intuitive awareness of the symbolic meanings inherent in that work as well as a degree of craft appropriate to the student’s level of development.
  • Analyze and interpret elements of musical compositions as they reflect and relate to human thought, achievement, and expression and to communicate the results.
  • Analyze a musical composition or performance in a manner that demonstrates both an awareness of the craft, skill and discipline employed, and the intuitive values expressed.
  • Perform appropriate piano literature at an intermediate level of keyboard competency.

Associate in Arts Degree Major Requirements

Required Core
MUSI 10AMusic Theory and Musicianship I4
MUSI 10BMusic Theory and Musicianship II4
MUSI 10CMusic Theory and Musicianship III4
MUSI 50APiano I1
MUSI 50BPiano II1
MUSI 50CPiano III1
MUSI 50DPiano IV1
Select four semesters of the following:2
Applied Music
Select four semesters from one of the following: (multiples of the same ensemble are encouraged)4
College Choir
Jazz Choral Ensemble
Concert Band
Jazz Ensemble
String Orchestra
Jazz Improv Ensemble
Mariachi Ensemble
Voice Fundamentals
Guitar I
Guitar II
TOTAL MAJOR UNITS22
Additional Requirements38
Complete Competency Requirements, general education pattern (MPC General Education, CSU General Education, or IGETC), and electives, if needed, for a total of 60 degree-applicable units.
Total Units60

Please refer to the graduation requirements section of the Catalog for information about degree and certificate requirements including Reading and Writing, Mathematics, Information Competency, and General Education requirements.  
 

The model sequence of coursework below is one pathway for students to complete the program. The information below is not an official educational plan. An MPC Counselor can assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling and up-to-date program requirements.

 Suggested 2-Year Course Sequence 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallUnits
ENGL 1A
College Composition
or College Composition: Enhanced
3
LIBR 50 Introduction to Library and Research Skills 1
IGETC Area 2 (MATH 16 Recommended) 4
MUSI 10A Music Theory and Musicianship I 4
MUSI 50A Piano I 1
MUSI 25 Applied Music 0.5
MUSI 20
College Choir 1
or Jazz Choral Ensemble
or Concert Band
or Jazz Ensemble
or String Orchestra
or Jazz Improv Ensemble
or Mariachi Ensemble
or Voice Fundamentals
or Guitar I
or Guitar II
1
 Units14.5
Spring
ENGL 2 Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking 3
MUSI 10B Music Theory and Musicianship II 4
MUSI 50B Piano II 1
MUSI 25 Applied Music 0.5
IGETC Area 4 (US-1 Course Recommended) 3
IGETC Area 5B 3
MUSI 20
College Choir 1
or Jazz Choral Ensemble
or Concert Band
or Jazz Ensemble
or String Orchestra
or Jazz Improv Ensemble
or Mariachi Ensemble
or Voice Fundamentals
or Guitar I
or Guitar II
1
 Units15.5
Year 2
Fall
SPCH 1
Public Speaking (CSU Requirement)
or Small Group Communication
3
MUSI 10C Music Theory and Musicianship III 4
MUSI 50C Piano III 1
MUSI 25 Applied Music 0.5
IGETC Area 4 (US-2 & US-3 Course Recommended) 3
IGETC Area 5A and 5C 4
MUSI 20
College Choir 1
or Jazz Choral Ensemble
or Concert Band
or Jazz Ensemble
or String Orchestra
or Jazz Improv Ensemble
or Mariachi Ensemble
or Voice Fundamentals
or Guitar I
or Guitar II
1
 Units16.5
Spring
MUSI 50D Piano IV 1
MUSI 25 Applied Music 0.5
IGETC Area 3B 3
IGETC Area 4 3
IGETC Area 6 (UC requirement) or MUSI 10D & 1 Elective 5
MUSI 20
College Choir 1
or Jazz Choral Ensemble
or Concert Band
or Jazz Ensemble
or String Orchestra
or Jazz Improv Ensemble
or Mariachi Ensemble
or Voice Fundamentals
or Guitar I
or Guitar II
1
 Units13.5
 Total Units60
1

Repeated units for the same ensemble are strongly encouraged.