Music Associate of Arts (AA)
About the Program
The Associate of Arts in Music offers a secure foundation for further study in music, and is designed to prepare students to transfer to many four-year colleges. Courses in the Music Department will fulfill the needs of music majors, professional musicians, and those whose interest is recreational. Students who obtain this degree will have completed the common core of lower division courses, including piano courses required for a CSU baccalaureate degree in Music, as well as most UCs and private institutions.
Career Opportunities
Examples of careers for the music major include the following: Accompanist, Acoustician, Adjudicator/Clinician, Agent, Arranger Arts, Entertainment and Contract Attorney, Arts Journalist/Reviewer, Arts/Personnel Management, Arts Marketing and Sales, Audio Production, Composer, Conductor, Copyist/Transcriber, Copyright Consultant, Cruise Ship Entertainer, Curator (Arts, Instruments and Manuscripts), Editor, Film/T.V./Video Game Composer, Foley Artist, Fundraiser/Grant Writer, Instrument Designer and Builder, Instrument Manufacturer, Intellectual Property Rights Attorney, Keyboard Technician/Piano Tuner, Lyricist, Music-Consultant, Music Librarian, Music Psychologist, Music Store Owner, Music Theoretician, Music Therapist, Musical Theater/Pit Musician, Musicologist, Organ Builder/Tuner/Technician, Part Preparer, Performer, Producer, Music Educator, Music Publisher, Recording Session Musician, Songwriter, Sound and Stage Technician, Sound Designer, Sound Engineer, Tour/Road Manager
Program Outcomes
- Upon completion of the AA in Music, students are able to adhere to recognized standards of professionalism in a rehearsal setting.
- Upon completion of the AA in Music, students are able to apply theoretical and analytical tools to musical compositions and performance practices.
- Upon completion of the AA in Music, students are able to develop a general overview of music history and stylistic developments to inform performance and analysis.
- Upon completion of the AA in Music, students are able to play or sing on pitch in a section and ensemble as directed by a conductor.
Required Core: (22 Units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 8A | Music Theory and Musicianship 1 | 4 |
| MUS 8B | Music Theory and Musicianship 2 | 4 |
| MUS 10A | Music Theory and Musicianship 3 | 4 |
| MUS 10B | Music Theory and Musicianship 4 | 4 |
| MUS 18A | Jazz/Pop Piano 1 | 1 |
| or | ||
| MUS 21A | Beginning Piano | 1 |
| MUS 18B | Jazz/Pop Piano 2 | 1 |
| or | ||
| MUS 21B | Intermediate Piano | 1 |
| MUS 38 | Applied Lessons | 4 |
List A: Select from Below (4 Units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 1 | Introduction to Music | 3 |
| MUS 3 | World Music | 3 |
| MUS 4 | Jazz in American Culture | 3 |
| MUS 5 | American Cultures in Music | 3 |
| MUS 13 | History of Rock & Roll | 3 |
| MUS 18A | Jazz/Pop Piano 1 | 1 |
| MUS 18B | Jazz/Pop Piano 2 | 1 |
| MUS 19 | Studies in Music Composition | 3 |
| MUS 20A | Elementary Guitar | 1 |
| MUS 20B | Study of Guitar | 1 |
| MUS 22A | Scoring for Film and Multimedia 1 | 3 |
| MUS 23A | Elementary Voice | 1 |
| MUS 23B | Intermediate Voice | 1 |
| MUS 31 | Study of Piano | 1 |
| MUS 34 | Music in Film | 3 |
| MUS 35 | Introduction to Music Technology | 3 |
| MUS 36 | Intermediate Music Technology | 3 |
| MUS 37 | Music Business | 3 |
| MUS 47 | College Productions-Music | 1 |
List B: Select from Below (4 Units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 11 | Commercial Music Combo | 1 |
| MUS 14 | Jazz Workshop | 1 |
| MUS 15 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 |
| MUS 16 | Philharmonic Orchestra | 1 |
| MUS 17A | Jazz Combo 1 | 1 |
| MUS 17B | Jazz Combo 2 | 1 |
| MUS 41 | Instrumental Chamber Music | 1 |
| MUS 44 | Concert Choir | 1 |
| MUS 45 | Chamber Choir | 2 |
| MUS 46 | Vocal Jazz Ensemble | 2 |
| MUS 48 | Improvisation Lab | 1 |
Total Units for the Major: 30
The Associate Degree is conferred upon those students who complete the required 60 or more semester units of the degree pattern with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better, of which 12 units must be earned at Las Positas College. In addition, students must complete a General Education pattern in order to earn a degree: see the Las Positas College General Education Pattern for Associate of Arts (AA) Degree, California State University General Education-Breadth, or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (for CSU) patterns for listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program, the optional course(s) taken, and the GE pattern selected. Elective units are degree applicable. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal.
*Please note, MUS 38 is to be taken four times. MUS 18A/MUS 18B may only be selected for List A if not taken as part of Required Core.