Program Overview

Music Associate in Arts Degree Program

Related Degrees & Certificates

• AA Associate in Arts Degree Program
  • Electronic Music | 60 units
  • Music and Technology | 60 units
• AA-T Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
  • Music | 60 units
• CA Certificate of Achievement
  • Electronic Music | 21 units
  • Music and Technology | 23 units
• CS Certificate of Specialization
  • Commercial Music | 14 - 15 units

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities include accompanist; arranger; composer; conductor; critic; band, orchestra or recording musician; lyricist, performing instrumentalist or vocalist; music director (radio station); private music instructor; music producer; music publisher; music therapist; night-club/restaurant entertainer; recording engineer; and teacher/professor. Additional career possibilities include choir director, music librarian, music minister, piano tuner, professional manager, recreation specialist, and soloist.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in aural skills such as sight-singing, rhythmic execution, harmonic, melodic and rhythmic dictation.
• Perform advanced analysis on the melodic, harmonic and formal components of written music from the common practice period.
• Create derivative and/or original music in 4-voice chorale style consistent with common practice period voice leading norms.
• Demonstrate basic proficiency in keyboard skills including scales, basic chord progressions, sight-reading and repertoire appropriate to graduating first year piano students.
• Demonstrate proficiency on an instrument or voice that enables self-expression and musical communication.

University Transfer Program

Use Assist to identify lower division major preparation for the California State University and the University of California systems. For independent or out-of-state colleges and universities use their catalogs to locate this information. Transfer Services can assist you to gather this information.

About the Program

The College of San Mateo provides a creative environment where every student may become enriched through an active association with the art of music and a faculty who are active in the music profession. The Music Department at College of San Mateo places strong emphasis upon performance as well as composition in both traditional and electronic media. At the same time, the department offers the general student enhanced understanding and appreciation of all forms of music. Through this two-fold approach, the department’s purpose becomes clear: to promote excellence in all aspects of music performance and academic course work, to provide basic preparation for careers in music, and to promote interest in all music and artistic endeavors at the College and in the Bay Area community.

Program Overview

The College of San Mateo provides a creative environment where every student may become enriched through an active association with the art of music and a faculty who are active in the music profession. The Music Department at College of San Mateo places strong emphasis upon performance as well as composition in both traditional and electronic media. At the same time, the department offers the general student enhanced understanding and appreciation of all forms of music. Through this two-fold approach, the department's purpose becomes clear: to promote excellence in all aspects of music performance and academic course work, to provide basic preparation for careers in music, and to promote interest in all music and artistic endeavors at the College and in the Bay Area community.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

• Required Core Courses, Theory and Musicianship: 16 units
  • Four semesters total
  • 1st Semester (Fall Only):
    • MUS. 131 | Harmony I | 3 units
    • MUS. 111 | Musicianship I | 1 unit
  • 2nd Semester (Spring Only):
    • MUS. 132 | Harmony II | 3 units
    • MUS. 112 | Musicianship II | 1 unit
  • 3rd Semester (Fall Only):
    • MUS. 133 | Harmony III | 3 units
    • MUS. 113 | Musicianship III | 1 unit
  • 4th Semester (Spring Only):
    • MUS. 134 | Harmony IV | 3 units
    • MUS. 114 | Musicianship IV | 1 unit
• Required Core Courses, Applied Lessons: 4 units
  • Four semesters, 1 unit each
  • MUS. 501 | Studio Lessons I (Applied Music I) | 1 unit
  • MUS. 502 | Studio Lessons II (Applied Music II) | 1 unit
  • MUS. 503 | Studio Lessons III (Applied Music III) | 1 unit
  • MUS. 504 | Studio Lessons IV (Applied Music IV) | 1 unit
• Required Selective Courses, Ensembles: 4-8 units
  • A minimum of four semesters of ensemble, selected from the following courses:
    • MUS. 231 | Afro-Latin Percussion Ensemble I | 2 units
    • MUS. 232 | Afro-Latin Percussion Ensemble II | 2 units
    • MUS. 233 | Afro-Latin Percussion Ensemble III | 2 units
    • MUS. 234 | Afro-Latin Percussion Ensemble IV | 2 units
    • MUS. 423 | Small Ensembles | 2 units
    • MUS. 424 | Small Jazz Ensembles | 2 units
    • MUS. 425 | Contemporary Jazz Combo | 2 units
    • MUS. 429 | Wind Ensemble | 1 unit
    • MUS. 430 | Symphonic Band | 1 unit
    • MUS. 452 | Repertory Jazz Band | 1 unit
    • MUS. 454 | Jazz Workshop Big Band | 1 unit
    • MUS. 470 | Concert Choir | 1 unit
• Required Selective Units, History Requirement: 3 units
  • Select one from the following:
    • MUS. 202 | Music Appreciation | 3 units
    • MUS. 210 | From Blues to Hip Hop: A History of American Popular Music | 3 units
    • MUS. 250 | World Music | 3 units
    • MUS. 275 | History of Jazz | 3 units
    • MUS. 280 | History of Electronic Music | 3 units
• Piano Proficiency Requirement: 0-4 units
  • Two semesters or *equivalent
  • Select two courses from the following:
    • MUS. 301 | Piano I | 2 units
    • MUS. 302 | Piano II | 2 units
    • MUS. 303 | Piano III | 2 units
    • MUS. 304 | Piano IV | 2 units
    • MUS. 314 | Piano Literature & Performance - The Baroque Era | 2 units
    • MUS. 315 | Piano Literature & Performance: The Classical Era | 2 units
    • MUS. 316 | Piano Literature & Performance: The Romantic Era | 2 units
    • MUS. 317 | Piano Literature & Performance: The 20th Century & Beyond | 2 units
• Recommended additional courses:
  • Music Technology:
    • MUS. 290 | Electronic Music I | 3 units
  • History:
    • MUS. 202 | Music Appreciation | 3 units
    • MUS. 210 | From Blues to Hip Hop: A History of American Popular Music | 3 units
    • MUS. 250 | World Music | 3 units
    • MUS. 275 | History of Jazz | 3 units
    • MUS. 280 | History of Electronic Music | 3 units
  • Theory:
    • MUS. 124 | Jazz Improvisation I | 2 units

Total Required Major Units: 27 - 35

And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.