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

60-64

Catalog Year

2026-2027

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.

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 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.

Career Statistics

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

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

$51,150

Music Directors and Composers

$65,080

Music Therapists

$65,330

Musicians and Singers

$39.11 hourly

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. 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 Student Center 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 locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.

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
Transfer Plan 4: Music Theatre

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
Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)
Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements. Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include: Oral Communication [OCM] (3 Credits) Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] (3 Credits) Institutions in the Americas [IAM] (3 Credits) Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include: Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] (3 Credits) Computers/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] (3-5 Credits) Cultural, Global, and Historical Awareness Areas [C, G, H] (0-3 Credits) Subject Options -AGEC-S only (8 Credits) For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage.

Term 1Term 1Term 1Term 1Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1Term 1Term 1Term 1Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM	3
MTC105	Music Theory/Aural Perception I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MTC101 or permission of instructor. Corequisites: MTC106.	Critical course Gateway course		3
AHM and MHL+++	Arts and Humanities and Any approved MHL Music: History/Literature course		Any approved MHL Music: History/Literature course in the Arts and Humanities [AHM] area. To be selected in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.	AHM	3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3
Plan Elective	Plan Course Elective				2–6
MUP102++	Private Instruction	Prerequisites: Student must be 18 years or older.			2
MUP131	Class Piano I		Student`s level and number of credits required for degree determined by piano instructor based on audition		0–1
Music Ensemble	Large Music Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		1
MUC140 or MUC191	Songwriting or Electronic Music I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MTC101, or MTC105, or permission of Instructor. or No requisites			3
MUP101++ or MUP102++	Private Instruction or Private Instruction		MUP101++ Must be completed for credit twice		2
Performance Ensemble	Performance Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		1–2
MUP164	Jazz Improvisation I				2
MUP101++ or MUP102++	Private Instruction or Private Instruction		MUP101++ Must be completed for credit twice		2
Performance Ensemble	Performance Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		1–2
MUP102++	Private Instruction				2
MUP131	Class Piano I		Student’s level and number of credits required for degree determined by piano instructor based on audition		0–1
Large Music Ensemble	Large Music Ensemble		Choose any two (2) credits from the Ensemble Coursework List		1
Related Area	Related Area		Students should choose four (4) additional credits from MUP218, MUP270, THP+++, DAN+++ that best align with their academic and professional goals. Course(s) selected must be different from those used to fulfill a requirement of the AGEC-A and/or those used to fulfill Required Courses and should be selected in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		1–2

Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC, WCM or WCM, FYC	3
MTC155	Music Theory/Aural Perception II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MTC105. Corequisites: MTC156.			3
OCM	Oral Communication			OCM	3
SCB	Social and Behavioral Sciences			SCB	3
Plan Elective	Plan Course Elective				2–6
MUP152++	Private Instruction	Prerequisites: Student must be 18 years or older.			2
MUP132	Class Piano II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MUP131 or permission of Instructor.	Student`s level and number of credits required for degree determined by piano instructor based on audition		0–1
Music Ensemble	Large Music Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		1
MUC181 or MUC192	Popular Music Orchestration and Arranging or Electronic Music II	Prerequisites or Corequisites: (MTC155 or higher level of MTC music theory course) and MTC180. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MTC191.			3
MUP151++ or MUP152++	Private Instruction or Private Instruction		MUP151++ Must be completed for credit twice		2
Performance Ensemble	Performance Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		1–2
MTC203 or MUC181 or MUP165	Jazz Composition or Popular Music Orchestration and Arranging or Jazz Improvisation II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MTC155, or MUP165, or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites or Corequisites: (MTC155 or higher level of MTC music theory course) and MTC180. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MUP164 or permission of Instructor.			1–3
MUP151++ or MUP152++	Private Instruction or Private Instruction		MUP151++ Must be completed for credit twice		2
Performance Ensemble	Performance Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		1–2
MUP152++	Private Instruction				2
MUP132	Class Piano II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MUP131 or permission of Instructor.	Student’s level and number of credits required for degree determined by piano instructor based on audition		0–1
Large Music Ensemble	Large Music Ensemble		Choose any two (2) credits from the Ensemble Coursework List		1
Related Area	Related Area		Students should choose four (4) additional credits from MUP218, MUP270, THP+++, DAN+++ that best align with their academic and professional goals. Course(s) selected must be different from those used to fulfill a requirement of the AGEC-A and/or those used to fulfill Required Courses and should be selected in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		1–2

Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
MAT14+	College Mathematics		OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206.	QNR	3–6
IAM	Institutions of the Americas			IAM	3
NSI	Natural Sciences			NSI	4
Plan Elective	Plan Course Elective				2–6
MUP202++	Private Instruction	Prerequisites: Student must be 18 years or older.			2
MTC205	Music Theory III	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MTC155. Corequisites: MTC206.			3
MUP231	Class Piano III	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MUP132 or permission of Instructor.	Student`s level and number of credits required for degree determined by piano instructor based on audition		0–1
Music Ensemble	Large Music Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		1
MUP201 or MUP202	Private Instruction or Private Instruction		MUP201++ Must be completed for credit twice		2
Performance Ensemble	Performance Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		0–1
MTC130	Jazz Theory	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (MTC101 and MTC103), or permission of Instructor.			2
MUP201++ or MUP202++	Private Instruction or Private Instruction		MUP201++ Must be completed for credit twice		2
Performance Ensemble	Performance Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		0–1
MUP202++	Private Instruction				2
MUP231	Class Piano III	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MUP132 or permission of Instructor.	Student’s level and number of credits required for degree determined by piano instructor based on audition		0–1
MUP/THP273 or MUP270AA	Musical Theater Production or Musical Theatre Workshop		Production courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Any substitutions require official approval of a program director.		1
Related Area	Related Area		Students should choose four (4) additional credits from MUP218, MUP270, THP+++, DAN+++ that best align with their academic and professional goals. Course(s) selected must be different from those used to fulfill a requirement of the AGEC-A and/or those used to fulfill Required Courses and should be selected in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		0–1

Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AHM and MHL+++	Arts and Humanities and Any approved MHL Music: History/Literature course			AHM	3
NSI	Natural Sciences			NSI	4
SCB	Social and Behavioral Sciences			SCB	3
Plan Elective	Plan Course Elective				2–6
MTC252++	Private Instruction	Prerequisites: Student must be 18 years or older.			2
MTC255	Music Theory/Aural Perception IV	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MTC205. Corequisites: MTC256.			3
MUP232	Class Piano IV	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MUP231 or permission of Instructor.	Student`s level and number of credits required for degree determined by piano instructor based on audition		0–1
Music Ensemble	Large Music Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		1
MUP100 or MUC195 or MUC195AA or MUC197 or MUC193 or MUC281	Introduction to Digital Musicianship or Studio Music Recording I or Studio Music Recording I or Live Sound Reinforcement I or Computer-Based Sound Synthesis or Electronic Music III	No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MTC191 or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MTC192.			2–3
MUP251 or MUP252	Private Instruction or Private Instruction		MUP251++ Must be completed for credit twice		2
Performance Ensemble	Performance Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		0–1
MUC195 or MUC195AA or MUC197 or MUP100	Studio Music Recording I or Studio Music Recording I or Live Sound Reinforcement I or Introduction to Digital Musicianship				2–3
MUP251++ or MUP252++	Private Instruction or Private Instruction		MUP251++ Must be completed for credit twice		2
Performance Ensemble	Performance Ensemble		Choose any four (4) credits from the Ensemble Coursework list		0–1
MUP252++	Private Instruction				2
MTC205	Music Theory III	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MTC155. Corequisites: MTC206.			3
MUP/THP273 or MUP270AA	Musical Theater Production or Musical Theatre Workshop		Production courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Any substitutions require official approval of a program director.		1
Related Area	Related Area		Students should choose four (4) additional credits from MUP218, MUP270, THP+++, DAN+++ that best align with their academic and professional goals. Course(s) selected must be different from those used to fulfill a requirement of the AGEC-A and/or those used to fulfill Required Courses and should be selected in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.		0–1

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
MUP150	Community Chorus		Choose any four (4) credits from the following list of Musical Ensemble courses based on area of emphasis. Any substitutions require official approval of program director. MUP153 is recommended for Choral students (or, if unavailable, MUP150), MUP160 for Strings students (or, if unavailable, MUP159), MUP162 for Instrumental students (or, if unavailable, MUP161), MUP163 (limited to Jazz Big Bands) for Jazz students, MUP169 for students interested in transfer to Ottawa University for Guitar (or, if unavailable, any other approved ensemble), and MUP181 (limited to Piano Ensembles only) for Piano majors. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit.	1
MUP153	Concert Choir			1
MUP159	Community Orchestra			1
MUP160	Orchestra			1
MUP161	Community Band			1
MUP162	Band			1
MUP163	Jazz Ensemble			1
MUP169	Guitar Ensemble			1
MUP181	Chamber Music Ensembles			1
MUP217	Music Theatre: Broadway Solos			1
MUP/THP273	Musical Theatre Production			1
MUP154AA	Jazz Vocal Ensemble	Prerequisites: Auditions required or permission of Instructor.	Choose any four (4) credits from the following list of Musical Ensemble courses. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Select courses in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor.	1
MUP154AB	Jazz Vocal Ensemble	Prerequisites: Auditions required and two semesters in A Cappella Choir or permission of Instructor.		2
MUP158	Popular Music Ensemble	Prerequisites: Auditions are required.		1
MUP163	Jazz Ensemble			1
MUP169	Guitar Ensemble			1
MUP183	Jazz Combo			1
MUP190	Percussion Ensemble			1
MUP154AA	Jazz Vocal Ensemble	Prerequisites: Auditions required or permission of Instructor.	Choose any four (4) credits from the following list of Performance Ensemble courses. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Select courses in consultation with an academic, faculty, or program advisor. May be repeated for credit 4 times	1
MUP154AB	Jazz Vocal Ensemble	Prerequisites: Auditions required and two semesters in A Cappella Choir or permission of Instructor.	May be repeated for credit 2 times	2
MUP158	Popular Music Ensemble	Prerequisites: Auditions are required.	May be repeated for credit 2 times	1
MUP163	Jazz Ensemble		May be repeated for credit 4 times	1
MUP183	Jazz Combo		May be repeated for credit 4 times	1
MUP150	Community Chorus		Choose any two (2) credits from the following list of Musical Ensemble courses. Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit. Any substitutions require official approval of a program director. MUP153 is recommended for Music Theatre students (or, if unavailable, MUP150). Ensemble courses can be taken multiple times for credit.	1
MUP153	Concert Choir			1
MUP157	Treble Choir			1
MUP182	Chamber Singers			1
MUP217	Music Theatre: Broadway Solos			1

General Electives

Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

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.

AHM = Arts and Humanities
C = Cultural Diversity in the US
CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
FYC = First-Year Composition
G = Global Awareness
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts & 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 official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=16456363.

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.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA) in Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Music

Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Music

Details

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Pathway Map Options

Full-time Sequence

Term 1Term 1Term 1Term 1Term 1

Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2

Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3

Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4

Ensemble Coursework

General Electives