Music
AA-T Degree Music · Mt. San Antonio College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Arts Division
Music Department
Music is a broad-base academic discipline with foundational coursework in theory and performance. By providing a theoretical understanding of the development and creation of music, along with requisite technical proficiency, it is expected that these skills will be used to demonstrate musical sensitivity and creativity as a soloist or in the context of a musical ensemble. To further foster these skills, optional courses in the areas of piano and music history should also be taken. Mt. San Antonio college Associates in Arts in Music for Transfer degree requires four semesters of theory, four semesters of applied music (lessons), and four semester of musical ensemble to provide the skills necessary for transferring to a 4-year institution to pursue a degree in music, including composition, performance, and/or music education.
To earn an Associate in Arts in Music for Transfer degree, a student must complete a minimum of 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the CSU system that consist of the Cal-GETC pattern and a major of at least 18 units more. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework to receive an associate degree for transfer and all courses in the major must be completed with a C or better. Students earning an associate degree for transfer will not be required to complete any other local graduation requirements. A “P” (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass or No Pass basis.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 14 | |
| MUS 120 | Music Theory I | |
| MUS 125 | Musicianship I | |
| MUS 130 | Music Theory II | |
| MUS 135 | Musicianship II | |
| MUS 140 | Music Theory III | |
| MUS 145 | Musicianship III | |
| MUS 160 | Individual Instruction Complete 2 units | |
| Major Ensemble and/or Specialized Ensemble (4 semesters) | 4-8 | |
| MUS 27 | Chamber Music | |
| MUS 31 | Concert Choir | |
| MUS 34 | Women's Vocal Ensemble | |
| MUS 39 | Laboratory Band | |
| MUS 44 | Vocal Jazz Ensemble | |
| MUS 47 | Jazz Ensemble | |
| MUS 48 | Men's Vocal Ensemble | |
| MUS 49 | Wind Ensemble | |
| MUS 50 | Jazz Improvisation and Performance Choir | |
| MUS 51 | Contemporary A Cappella Ensemble | |
| MUS 52 | Madrigal Singers | |
| MUS 53 | String Ensemble | |
| MUS 54 | Percussion Ensemble | |
| List A | 3 | |
| Choose three units from the following: | ||
| MUS 100 | Introduction to Western Classical Music | |
| orMUS 100H | Introduction to Western Classical Music - Honors | |
| MUS 105 | Western Music History I: Antiquity to 1750 | |
| MUS 106 | Western Music History II: 1750 to Present | |
| MUS 170 | Piano I | |
| MUS 171 | Piano II | |
| MUS 172 | Piano III | |
| MUSA 100 | Fundamentals of Audio Technology | |
| Total Units for Major | 21-25 | |
| General Education (Cal-GETC) Units | 34 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- Courses may be double-counted for the major and Cal-GETC. However, courses may not be double-counted to satisfy more than one area of Cal-GETC.
Music Department Website
Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in the rehearsal, collaboration, and performance of music across a wide range of compositional styles and in a variety of venues.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the analysis and composition of tonal music.
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in the dictation and sight singing of tonal music
- Demonstrate proficiency in sight reading, transposition, and improvisation at the keyboard
- Comprehend and communicate in writing the cultural and historical contexts of music, as well as stylistic differences, in the Western classical traditions.
Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.