Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Music

The Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA), Emphasis in Music degree is designed for students planning to transfer to four-year colleges and universities with majors in the Fine/Performing Arts. The degree is designed to prepare students to meet selective admission criteria for programs, such as the Bachelor of Music, which may require an audition. Embedded areas of emphasis include choral, instrumental, guitar and popular music performance.

Details

Field of Interest

Visual and Performing Arts

Degree Type

Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA)

Academic Plan

Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Music (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

8313

Total credits required

67-83

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Notes

In most cases, courses used to satisfy the AAFA, Emphasis in Music will apply to general university graduation requirements of related majors; however, students need to be aware of any specific lower division requirements of their intended focus at the university to be sure they select courses that will meet those requirements.

Some courses may require permission of instructor and/or audition for placement.

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn

Critically analyze music according to historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts in order to understand how musical composition changes over time and how it impacts current practice both in music creation and performance.
Perform with an appropriate tone quality, pitch, rhythm, expression, and articulation/diction in a historically and stylistically informed manner.
Use self-evaluation, critical feedback, and aural diagnosis to improve personal performance and instruction and that of others in both solo and group settings.
Demonstrate an ability to use self-management and self-discipline to align personal choices and behaviors with the achievement of personal goals in the field of music.
Demonstrate accountability and professionalism to prepare for further study in music.
Communicate effectively in verbal, written, nonverbal, and expressive forms to musicians and laypersons.
Collaborate with a diverse group of individuals to rehearse, perform, create, and instruct.
Utilize technology to support composition, performance, instruction, and general communication.
Explain how music reflects, shapes, creates, and disseminates culture.
Locate and evaluate multiple sources of information to inform performance from varied historical contexts and genres.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

$66,570 Show expanded career information for Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

$51,150 Show expanded career information for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Music Directors and Composers

$65,720 Show expanded career information for Music Directors and Composers

Musicians and Singers

$39.11 hourly Show expanded career information for Musicians and Singers

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the available transfer institutions and what degrees you may be able to transfer into.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Music
Transfer Plan 1: Classical Music Performance and Music Education
Transfer Plan 2: Popular Music
Transfer Plan 3: Jazz Music

Full-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements: Cultural [C] and Global [G] or Historical [H] Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1Term 1Term 1Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1Term 1Term 1Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of instructor. Corequisites: .	Critical course Gateway course		3
		Corequisites: .	Critical course Gateway course		1
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or Corequisites: , or permission of Instructor. or No requisites	Classical Music Performance and Music Education Specialization select any CS; Popular Performance Specialization select	CS or None	3
Specialization	Specialization Option		Private Instruction Coursework		2
Specialization	Specialization Option		Ensemble Coursework		1–2
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
or	or				1–3
			Recommended	CS	3
					2
Ensemble	Large Music Ensembles course		Choose from the list of Musical Ensemble courses based on area of emphasis. Any substitutions require official approval of program director. A total of four (4) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit.		1–2
			Student`s level and number of credits of class piano required for degree determined by piano instructor based on audition		0–1
or or or or	or or or or		Students should choose from the list of options that best align with their academic and professional goals. Courses should be selected in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor. A total of four (4) credits are required for the program.		1–3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or Corequisites: , or permission of Instructor.		CS	3
or	or		If is selected, it must be completed twice.		2
Ensemble	Performance Ensemble Coursework		A total of four (4) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Select courses in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		1–2
or	or				3
or	or		If is selected, it must be completed twice.		2
Ensemble	Performance Ensemble Coursework		A total of six (6) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Select courses in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		1–2
					2

Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in . Corequisites: .			3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in . Corequisites: .			1
			OR Higher level mathematics [MA] course	MA	3–6
or or or	or or or	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent. or No requisites	Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously	SB or SB or L or SB	0–3
		Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in or ) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in or or or or or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
			Recommend selecting a course that satisfies L and COM or L and requirements simultaneously.		3
					3
Specialization	Specialization Option		Private Instruction Coursework		2
Specialization	Specialization Option		Ensemble Coursework		1–2
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
					2
Ensemble	Large Music Ensembles course		Choose from the list of Musical Ensemble courses based on area of emphasis. Any substitutions require official approval of program director. A total of four (4) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit.		1–2
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of Instructor.	Student`s level and number of credits of class piano required for degree determined by piano instructor based on audition		0–1
or or or or	or or or or		Students should choose from the list of options that best align with their academic and professional goals. Courses should be selected in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor. A total of four (4) credits are required for the program.		1–3
or	or		If is selected, it must be completed twice.		2
Ensemble	Performance Ensemble Coursework		A total of four (4) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Select courses in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		1–2
or	or		If is selected, it must be completed twice.		2
Ensemble	Performance Ensemble Coursework		A total of six (6) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Select courses in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		1–2
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ( and ), or permission of Instructor.			2

Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or a higher level MTC course; or Corequisites: and or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites or Corequisites: A grade of C or better in and , or permission of Instructor.	Complete if transferring to ASU and NAU Complete if transferring to NAU and Ottawa	G, HU or HU	3
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .		FYC or FYC	3
				SQ	4
Specialization	Specialization Option		Private Instruction Coursework		2
Specialization	Specialization Option		Ensemble Coursework		1–2
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
					2
Ensemble	Large Music Ensembles course		Choose from the list of Musical Ensemble courses based on area of emphasis. Any substitutions require official approval of program director. A total of four (4) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit.		1–2
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of Instructor.	Student`s level and number of credits of class piano required for degree determined by piano instructor based on audition		0–1
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in . Corequisites: .			3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in . Corequisites: .			1
or or or or	or or or or		Students should choose from the list of options that best align with their academic and professional goals. Courses should be selected in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor. A total of four (4) credits are required for the program.		1–3
or	or		If is selected, it must be completed twice.		2
Ensemble	Performance Ensemble Coursework		A total of four (4) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Select courses in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		1–2
or or or or or	or or or or or	No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .			2–3
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or permission of Instructor. or No requisites			3
or	or		If is selected, it must be completed twice.		2
Ensemble	Performance Ensemble Coursework		A total of six (6) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Select courses in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		1–2
or or or	or or or				2–3
		Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor.			1

Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
			Any additional MHL Music: History/Literature course with [HU] designation	HU	3
or	or			SG or SQ	4
				SB	3
Specialization	Specialization Option		Private Instruction Coursework		2
Specialization	Specialization Option		Ensemble Coursework		1–2
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
Specialization	Specialization Option				0–3
					2
Ensemble	Large Music Ensembles course		Choose from the list of Musical Ensemble courses based on area of emphasis. Any substitutions require official approval of program director. A total of four (4) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit.		1–2
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of Instructor.	Student`s level and number of credits of class piano required for degree determined by piano instructor based on audition		0–1
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in . Corequisites: .			3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in . Corequisites: .			1
or or or or	or or or or		Students should choose from the list of options that best align with their academic and professional goals. Courses should be selected in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor. A total of four (4) credits are required for the program.		1–3
		Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor.			1
or	or		If is selected, it must be completed twice.		2
Ensemble	Performance Ensemble Coursework		A total of four (4) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Select courses in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		1–2
or	or	Prerequisites or Corequisites: ( or higher level of MTC music theory course) and . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .			3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or Corequisites: , or permission of Instructor.		CS	3
or or	or or	Prerequisites or Corequisites: ( or higher level of MTC music theory course) and . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of Instructor.			2–3
or	or		If is selected, it must be completed twice.		2
Ensemble	Performance Ensemble Coursework		A total of six (6) credits are required for the program. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Select courses in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		1–2

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

C = Cultural Diversity in the US
CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
FYC = First Year Composition
G = Global Awareness
H = Historical Awareness
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design

L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
MA = Mathematics
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
				1
			is recommended for Choral students (or, if unavailable, )	1
				1
			is recommended for Strings students (or, if unavailable, )	1
				1
			is recommended for Instrumental students (or, if unavailable, )	1
			(limited to Jazz Big Bands) is recommended for Jazz students	1
			is recommended for students interested in transfer to Ottawa University for Guitar (or, if unavailable, any other approved ensemble)	1
			(limited to Piano Ensembles only) is recommended for Piano majors.	1
				1
MUP/THP273	Musical Theatre Production	Prerequisites: By audition.		1
				1
				1
		Prerequisites: Auditions required or permission of Instructor.		1
		Prerequisites: Auditions required and two semesters in A Cappella Choir or permission of Instructor.		2
		Prerequisites: Auditions are required.		1
				1
				1
				1
				1
				1
				1
				1
				1
				1
				1
				1

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