Commercial MusicCertificate of Achievement

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Community of interest
Business, Cosmetology, Arts & Design
Award
Certificate of Achievement
Program code
45662.00CA
Department
Recording Arts
CIP code
50.0903: Music Performance, General.
TOP code
1005.00 - Commercial Music*
The Certificate of Achievement in Commercial Music is a practical curriculum designed to equip students with musical and collaborative skills, skills that are essential for success in the modern music industry. Students learn how to compose, arrange, record, and produce. Additionally, students learn how to navigate the music industry. This connected set of courses ensures students are not only artistically developed but also well-prepared with practical skills for the competitive commercial music landscape.
Program detailsAward, code, department, CIP/TOP

Program Snapshot

Community of interest
BCAD Business, Cosmetology, Arts & Design
Award
Certificate of Achievement
Program code
45662.00CA
Department
Recording Arts
CIP code
50.0903: Music Performance, General.
TOP code
1005.00 - Commercial Music*

Next Steps

Map Class Schedule

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

Program Schedule ReportMeet with a counselor
Commercial Music
Certificate of Achievement — expand to learn about this award

A career-aligned credential built around a specific field of study or area of emphasis. Faster to complete than a degree, and the coursework typically stacks into a related AS or AA later if you choose to continue.

See the 2026-27 Catalog for official program details

Semester-by-Semester Map

Term 1

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

8.5 units
MUS 51
Digital Music Production I
3 units
course details

This course is an introduction to digital music production beginning with computer system operation and file management techniques. Students will apply practical concepts of modern music composition like programming drums, recording MIDI instruments, arranging and mixing, as well as post-production techniques including compression, equalization, reverb and other audio post effects.

View full course outline for MUS 51

MUS 61
Pop Ensemble
1 units
course details

This course is for the study, rehearsal, and public performance of literature appropriate to the popular music ensemble, with an emphasis on the development of skills needed to perform within a specialized ensemble. Different literature will be studied each semester. This course may be repeated 3 times to meet the requirements of the AA-T in Music. (C-ID MUS 185).

Prerequisite: Ability to sing or play at least one instrument. Audition required

View full course outline for MUS 61

MUS 80
Theory & Musicianship I
4 units
course details

A comprehensive study of diatonic harmony and musicianship, including principles of voice leading in four-part texture, harmonic analysis, melody harmonization, non-chord tones, and basic forms (strophic, binary, ternary). Musicianship component develops skills in sight singing and dictation, including rhythmic exercises, interval recognition, melodic reading and dictation in major and minor scales, and basic harmonic dictation. (C-ID MUS 120/MUS 125).

View full course outline for MUS 80

MUS 88
Applied Music
0.5 units
course details

This course consists of individualized study of the appropriate techniques and repertoire for the specific instrument or voice being studied through private instruction. The emphasis is on the progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance. This course may be repeated 3 times to meet the requirements of the AA-T in Music. (C-ID MUS 160).

Corequisite: MUS 60, MUS 61, MUS 63, MUS 64, MUS 70 or Other ensemble

View full course outline for MUS 88

Term 2

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

9.5–10.5 units
MUS 61
Pop Ensemble
1 units
course details

This course is for the study, rehearsal, and public performance of literature appropriate to the popular music ensemble, with an emphasis on the development of skills needed to perform within a specialized ensemble. Different literature will be studied each semester. This course may be repeated 3 times to meet the requirements of the AA-T in Music. (C-ID MUS 185).

Prerequisite: Ability to sing or play at least one instrument. Audition required

View full course outline for MUS 61

MUS 82
Theory & Musicianship II
4 units
course details

This course incorporates and further develops the concepts from Theory & Musicianship I and introduces chromatic harmony. Topics include seventh chords and their inversions, secondary chords, modulation techniques, and musical forms (theme and variations, rondo, sonata). Musicianship component develops advanced skills in sight singing and dictation, including compound rhythms, alto and tenor clefs, compound melodies, and harmonic dictation using diatonic triads and seventh chords. (C-ID MUS 130/MUS 135).

Prerequisite: MUS 80

View full course outline for MUS 82

MUS 88
Applied Music
0.5 units
course details

This course consists of individualized study of the appropriate techniques and repertoire for the specific instrument or voice being studied through private instruction. The emphasis is on the progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance. This course may be repeated 3 times to meet the requirements of the AA-T in Music. (C-ID MUS 160).

Corequisite: MUS 60, MUS 61, MUS 63, MUS 64, MUS 70 or Other ensemble

View full course outline for MUS 88

MUS 90
Introduction to the Music Industry
2 units
course details

A survey of the music industry with focus on the skill, experience, and education needed for careers within the music industry. Topics include music publishing, performing rights, copyright issues, resume building, artist statements, publicity, music licensing, digital distribution, record companies, and artist management.

View full course outline for MUS 90

Select one:

Required

2–3 units
Choose one of 3 choices
Choose one of 3 choices

Career Connections

2-Year Degree Paths

Entry points students may pursue after associate-level study, technical preparation, or licensure pathways.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset point cleanly to an immediate 2-year outcome for this program.

4-Year Degree Paths

Roles that more often open up after transfer and a bachelor's degree.

Example roles: 2

  • Musicians and Singers
  • Music Directors and Composers

Graduate School Paths

Advanced roles commonly associated with graduate, professional, or post-baccalaureate study.

Example roles: 1

  • Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Local Job Market

Musicians and SingersSOC 27-20426 nearby openings

Search keyword used: musician · Search window: last 60 days, 50-mile radius · Avg listed salary: $87,390/yr

Top employers in sample

  • County of Nevada 3
  • Nevada City School of the Arts 2
  • Culinaire Staffing 1

Where the postings are

  • Nevada City, Nevada County 6

Sample current postings

  1. 7th/8th Math TeacherNevada City School of the Arts · Nevada City, Nevada County · 7 days ago
  2. Sous ChefCulinaire Staffing · Nevada City, Nevada County · 7 days ago
  3. 7th/8th Math TeacherNevada City School of the Arts · Nevada City, Nevada County · 7 days ago
  4. Behavioral Health Therapist II - $1,000 - $5,000 NEW HIRE BONUSCounty of Nevada · Nevada City, Nevada County · 7 weeks ago
  5. Behavioral Health Therapist I - $1,000 - $5,000 NEW HIRE BONUSCounty of Nevada · Nevada City, Nevada County · 7 weeks ago

See all openings on Adzuna

Music Directors and ComposersSOC 27-2041no nearby openings indexed

No nearby openings matched any of: music directors and composer, music director. Browse this occupation on Adzuna for postings outside the mapped keyword set.

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-11213 nearby openings

Search keyword used: music teacher · Search window: last 60 days, 50-mile radius · Avg listed salary: $76,346/yr

Top employers in sample

  • Nevada City School of the Arts 3

Where the postings are

  • Nevada City, Nevada County 3

Sample current postings

  1. 7th/8th Math TeacherNevada City School of the Arts · Nevada City, Nevada County · 7 days ago
  2. 7th/8th Math TeacherNevada City School of the Arts · Nevada City, Nevada County · 7 days ago
  3. Elementary School TeacherNevada City School of the Arts · Nevada City, Nevada County · 2 weeks ago

See all openings on Adzuna

Posting counts come from Adzuna's index of US job boards, covering the last up to 90 days within up to 100 miles of ZIP 95965. Coverage and salary visibility vary by employer. Empty searches expand the radius and posting window before the section gives up.

Source Notes

Course sequencing is generated from the Acadia Program Mapper cache. Career groupings use local CIP-to-SOC mappings and BLS occupation data when available. Confirm education plans with Counseling and Advising.

Live wage data was not available from the BLS helper for the mapped occupations, so some pay fields may be blank.

Last generated 2026-07-05T16:52+00:00