Music, A.A.-T

An Associate in Arts in Music for Transfer will fulfill the requirements for students to transfer to a CSU institution as a Music major. The courses in the A.A.-T in Music for Transfer degree give students the basic skills and abilities in music to prepare them for involvement in musical activities and careers in performance, education, composition, and other related fields.

AAT.MUS.CG

Design Your Future!

Begin by exploring MSJC program maps to find career or transfer opportunities.  Program maps show the recommended course sequence that leads to graduation or transfer. The maps were developed by program experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.

Transfer degrees require a minimum of 60 semester CSU or UC transferable units with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA. Additionally, transfer degrees also require the completion of Cal-GETC general education. Please note that some courses are only transferable to a CSU, and this is noted in the program map. To transfer to a UC, students must complete at least 60 UC transferable units.

  • Starting in Spring? Choose Fall Semester 1 courses.   
  • Are you a part-time student?  Start Fall Semester 1 courses and follow the course sequence.

Cal-GETC

This program provides students with focused program options. A focused program map contains courses that help students specialize in a distinct area and connects to careers.  Talk to a counselor about preparing for transfer to specific schools.

Instrumental Focus

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-C1000 Academic Reading and Writing 3
POLS-C1000 American Government and Politics 3
CSCR-100 College Success and Career Readiness 3
MUS-201
Orchestra
or Concert Band
or Jazz Ensemble I
1
MUS-103 Music Theory I 3
MUS-175 Musicianship I 1
MUS-118 Applied Music: Instrumental 0.5
 Units14.5
Spring Semester 1
MATH-115 Ideas of Mathematics 3
ENGL-C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
or Critical Thinking and Composition
3
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
MUS-201
Orchestra
or Concert Band
or Jazz Ensemble I
1
MUS-118 Applied Music: Instrumental 0.5
MUS-104 Music Theory II 3
MUS-176 Musicianship II 1
MUS-111 Beginning Piano 1
 Units15.5
Summer 1
SPAN-101
Elementary Spanish I
or American Sign Language I
or Elementary French I
4
 Units4
Fall Semester 2
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
COMM-C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking 3
PS/ETHS-103
Ethnic Politics in America
or Black History in the American Context
or Latinx/Chicanx Literature
or Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
or Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies
3
MUS-253 Music Theory III 3
MUS-277 Musicianship III (formerly MUS-177) 1
MUS-118 Applied Music: Instrumental 0.5
Major Course 1 1
 Units14.5
Spring Semester 2
BIOL-115 Introductory Topics in Biology: Cells to Ecosystems (formerly Topics in Biology) 4
MUS-100 Introduction and Appreciation of Music 3
PHIL-101 Introduction to Philosophy I 3
MUS-118 Applied Music: Instrumental 0.5
MUS-254 Music Theory IV 3
MUS-278 Musicianship IV (formerly MUS-178) 1
Major Course 1 1
 Units15.5
 Total Units64
1

MUS-201, 203, 210, 211, 212 (CSU-only) 

Vocal Focus

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-C1000 Academic Reading and Writing 3
POLS-C1000 American Government and Politics 3
CSCR-100 College Success and Career Readiness 3
MUS-205
College Singers
or Chamber Choir
1
MUS-103 Music Theory I 3
MUS-175 Musicianship I 1
MUS-151 Applied Music: Voice 0.5
 Units14.5
Spring Semester 1
MATH-115 Ideas of Mathematics 3
ENGL-C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
or Critical Thinking and Composition
3
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
MUS-205
College Singers
or Chamber Choir
1
MUS-151 Applied Music: Voice 0.5
MUS-104 Music Theory II 3
MUS-176 Musicianship II 1
MUS-111 Beginning Piano 1
 Units15.5
Summer 1
SPAN-101
Elementary Spanish I
or American Sign Language I
or Elementary French I
4
 Units4
Fall Semester 2
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
COMM-C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking 3
PS/ETHS-103
Ethnic Politics in America
or Black History in the American Context
or Latinx/Chicanx Literature
or Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
or Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies
3
MUS-205
College Singers
or Chamber Choir
1
MUS-253 Music Theory III 3
MUS-277 Musicianship III (formerly MUS-177) 1
MUS-151 Applied Music: Voice 0.5
 Units14.5
Spring Semester 2
BIOL-115 Introductory Topics in Biology: Cells to Ecosystems (formerly Topics in Biology) 4
MUS-100 Introduction and Appreciation of Music 3
PHIL-101 Introduction to Philosophy I 3
MUS-205
College Singers
or Chamber Choir
1
MUS-151 Applied Music: Voice 0.5
MUS-254 Music Theory IV 3
MUS-278 Musicianship IV (formerly MUS-178) 1
 Units15.5
 Total Units64

Language Other Than English (LOTE):
This is a graduation requirement for UC campuses but not for admission. You can fulfill LOTE by completing two years of the same foreign language in high school with a grade of C or better in the final semester; by completing one semester of a foreign language at a college, or by demonstrating proficiency with a grade of C or better in ASL-100, FREN-101, or SPAN-101. Languages other than English for Native Speakers are also acceptable for this requirement. Review individual campus information and requirements here: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/uc-graduation-requirements/ 
Some CSU campuses may also require language proficiency for graduation, and more than one semester may be necessary. 
At MSJC, LOTE courses count as electives. For personalized guidance, please consult your MSJC Counselor.

CSU - U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals:
This is a graduation requirement for CSU campuses but not for admission. Although not a Cal-GETC requirement, MSJC may certify completion of the CSU graduation requirement in U.S. History, Constitution and American Ideals with POLS-1000/1000H and HIST-111/111H or HIST-112/112H. Courses used to meet this requirement may also be used to satisfy Cal-GETC Subject Area 4 requirements.

High School Students:
Students are encouraged to take courses during the summer before the Fall semester begins, specifically for students majoring in STEM. 

Work Based Learning:
Sign up for a special project or internship opportunity to gain valuable work experience and earn credits. For more information, email AWBL@msjc.edu or call 951-639-5352.

Course Title Credits
Required Core Courses
MUS-103Music Theory I3
MUS-104Music Theory II3
MUS-175Musicianship I1
MUS-176Musicianship II1
MUS-253Music Theory III3
MUS-277Musicianship III (formerly MUS-177)1
Applied Music
Select two units from the following:2
Applied Music: Instrumental
Applied Music: Voice
Ensemble
Select four units from the following:4
Orchestra
Concert Band
College Singers
Chamber Choir
Jazz Ensemble I
Jazz Ensemble II
Instrumental Chamber Music
List A
Select 3-4 units from the following:3-4
Introduction and Appreciation of Music
Honors Introduction and Appreciation of Music
Music Theory IV
Musicianship IV (formerly MUS-178)
Beginning Piano
Intermediate Piano
Total Units21-22
Course Title Credits
Units for Major21-22
Cal-GETC Pattern34
Possible double counting: 0 units
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 transferable units)

Total Units for A.A.-T Degree: 60 units

The overall requirements for this Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) can be met by:

  • Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer.
  • Completion of Cal-GETC requirements.
  • Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  • Completion of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is acceptable if pass is defined as a grade of C or better. ADTs are intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. A student completing an ADT is guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not a particular campus or major. Students should meet with a Counselor to develop a comprehensive educational plan to further understand university and transfer requirements.

Discover information about careers that interest you!

  1. Take a Career Quiz to learn about yourself and receive career suggestions based on your interests. 
  2. Search available in-demand jobs in your career areas of interest and find up-to-date salaries and education requirements. 
  3. Find the MSJC Program that connects your interests to a career.

Note: There are no guaranteed positions for students completing these programs. Education and work experience required will vary by employer. The salary and benefits for specific occupations will be dependent on work experience, education, background, and employer.