Associate of Arts in Music
Prepare to transfer into a music program with junior standing.
Transfer Ready
This degree pathway prepares students who intend to major in music to enter a Bachelors Degree program with junior standing. Students work closely with music faculty advisors to ensure that they graduate from TCC prepared to enter the program of their choice.
We are online and flexible
The music degree at TCC is currently taught almost entirely online, and faculty continue to adapt as we monitor our situation this fall and winter. We are proud of our music program:
- Many adjunct private lesson faculty teach at local four-year colleges
- We have a high success rate of graduates who transfer into 4 year schools
- Scholarship money is available for music majors
Music at TCC
Find out more about TCC Music programs, ensembles and classes.
Associate of Arts in Music Degree
Some substitutions may be made for some courses. Students should also contact the Music Department of their intended transfer institution in order to learn of any special course preferences, audition requirements, and transfer placement exams that college may have.
Please consult with an advisor and your chosen four-year school(s), as program and admissions requirements vary and may change without notice.
Associate of Arts in Music Degree
(104 credits)
In addition to basic and distribution requirements, this degree requires courses in Music Theory, Studio Lessons, Music Ensembles, and Piano Proficiency.
Degree Worksheet (PDF) Associate of Music Degree
2019-2019 Distribution Course List (PDF)
Note:
Check with your intended transfer institution regarding foreign language requirements.
- UW Seattle has a language requirement which is Foreign Language through 3rd quarter, three years of high school, placement by exam out of the first year level, or native speaker status (minimum grade C or 2.0 for 3rd quarter class)î.
- UW Tacoma and UW Bothel require 2 years of high school language or 2 college quarters.
- If you have finished your language requirement, you can take literature, art, communication, or film to meet your Humanities requirements.
Basic Requirements (15 credits)
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| Communication Skills (10 Credits) | ||
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition I | 5 |
| English Composition/Speaking Skills: Select 5 additional credits from the Communications section of the Approved Distribution Course List. | 5 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning Skills (5 Credits) | ||
| Select 5 credits from the Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning section of the Approved Distribution Course List. | 5 | |
| Total: | 15 |
Distribution Requirements (45 credits)
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| Humanities | ||
| MUSC& 141 | Music Theory I | 5 |
| MUSC& 143 | Music Theory II | 5 |
| Humanities Elective: Select 5 additional Humanities credits from courses other than Music. | 5 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Select courses from the Social Sciences section of the Approved Distribution Course List. Choose courses from at least 2 disciplines. No more than 10 credits allowed from any one discipline. | 15 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Courses must be selected from at least two disciplines. No more than 10 credits allowed from any one discipline. Must include at least 10 credits from Biology, Earth, or Physical Sciences. Must include at least one laboratory course. | 15 | |
| Total: | 45 |
Major Requirements (44 Credits)
Required for Degree (26 Credits):
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| MUSC 124 | Class Applied Music: Piano I | 2 |
| MUSC 125 | Class Applied Music: Piano II | 2 |
| MUSC 126 | Class Applied Music: Piano III | 2 |
| MUSC& 142 | Music Theory III | 5 |
| MUSC& 241 | Music Theory IV | 5 |
| MUSC& 242 | Music Theory V | 5 |
| MUSC& 243 | Music Theory VI | 5 |
| Total: | 26 |
6 quarters of music performance ensemble (Select 12 Credits):
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| MUSC 160 | Orchestra I | 2 |
| MUSC 260 | Orchestra II | 2 |
| MUSC 161 | Symphonic Band I | 2 |
| MUSC 261 | Symphonic Band II | 2 |
| MUSC 165 | Jazz Band I | 2 |
| MUSC 265 | Jazz Band II | 2 |
| MUSC 152 | Chamber Choir I | 2 |
| MUSC 252 | Chamber Choir II | 2 |
| Total: | 12 |
6 quarters of Applied Lessons on primary instrument. 1 credit per quarter, repeated for a total of 3 credits for each course (6 credits)
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| MUSC 131 | Applied Lessons Strings 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 231 | Applied Lessons Strings 2 | 1 |
| OR | ||
| MUSC 132 | Applied Lessons Brass 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 232 | Applied Lessons Brass 2 | 1 |
| OR | ||
| MUSC 133 | Applied Lessons Woodwind 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 233 | Applied Lessons Woodwind 2 | 1 |
| OR | ||
| MUSC 134 | Applied Lessons Percussion 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 234 | Applied Lessons Percussion 2 | 1 |
| OR | ||
| MUSC 135 | Applied Lessons Keyboard 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 235 | Applied Lessons Keyboard 2 | 1 |
| OR | ||
| MUSC 136 | Applied Lessons Voice 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 236 | Applied Lessons Voice 2 | 1 |
| Total: | 6 |
Sample Schedule
This is an example of what your schedule might look like as an Associate of Arts in Music student. Keep in mind that the specific courses you take will be based on TCC's degree requirements and the requirements of your intended transfer school.
|
Year One |
||
|
First Quarter |
Second Quarter |
Third Quarter |
|
MUSC&141
|
MUSC&142
|
MUSC&143
|
|
MUSC Applied Lessons |
MUSC Applied Lessons |
MUSC Applied Lessons |
| MUSC Performing Ensemble | MUSC Performing Ensemble | MUSC Performing Ensemble |
| ENGL& 101 | ENGL& 102 or 103 | ENVS& 101 |
| Math& 107 or 146 | PSYC& 100 | ANTH& 100 |
| Year Two | ||
|
Fourth Quarter |
Fifth Quarter |
Sixth Quarter |
|
MUSC&241
|
MUSC&242
|
MUSC&243
|
|
MUSC Applied Lessons |
MUSC Applied Lessons |
MUSC Applied Lessons |
| MUSC Performing Ensemble | MUSC Performing Ensemble | MUSC Performing Ensemble |
| MUSC 124 Piano I | MUSC 125 Piano II | MUSC 126 Piano III |
| Humanities Elective* | HIST& 126 | CHEM& 110 |
| BIOL& 100 |
- If you have finished your language requirement, you can take literature, art, communication, or film to meet your Humanities requirements.
Music Careers
Research Careers for this area of study.