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Community of interest
Business, Cosmetology, Arts & Design
Award
AA Degree
Program code
44716.00AA
Department
Music
CIP code
50.0901: Music, General.
TOP code
1004.00 - Music
The Associate of Arts Degree in Music provides technical and artistic foundations to students interested in pursuing careers in music and music-related fields. The Associate of Arts Degree in Music is a forward thinking degree that instructs students in performance, theory and composition, culture, technology, and business in an effort to prepare students for work in the modern music industry. In addition to courses in reading and writing music, students gain performance skills through instruction on an instrument or voice as well as through ensemble performance. Studies in the aesthetic and historical traditions of various musical cultures provide students with knowledge of the roles and functions of music in society. Students are introduced to the music industry and develop a working knowledge of music technology. This degree can also serve as preparation for additional musical studies or degrees for students wishing to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program as a music major.
Program detailsAward, code, department, CIP/TOP

Program Snapshot

Community of interest
BCAD Business, Cosmetology, Arts & Design
Award
AA Degree
Program code
44716.00AA
Department
Music
CIP code
50.0901: Music, General.
TOP code
1004.00 - 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
Music
AA Degree — expand to learn about this award

The Associate of Arts is typically awarded for academic areas outside STEM and CTE — humanities, social sciences, arts, language. Like every Butte College associate degree, it has two parts: a general-education curriculum and an academic program of specialization.

About General Education. GE is an integrated program of learning designed to foster intellectual curiosity, cultural understanding, critical thinking, creative reasoning, oral and written communication, and the capacity for ethical reasoning. By graduation, you'll have developed the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, apply quantitative reasoning, understand how the major academic disciplines ask their questions, comprehend diverse cultures and historical periods, and assess ethical problems — alongside the depth you build in your major.

See the 2025-26 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.

15.5–20 units
MUS 40
Piano I
1 units
course details

A first-level introductory course in piano, open to both music and non-music majors. This course provides instruction in elementary music-reading and beginning keyboard skills, including basic piano technique, major and minor five-finger patterns, major scales, keyboard harmony, and sight-reading through beginning piano repertoire. (C-ID MUS 170).

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.

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).

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

Select one:

Required

1–1.5 units
Choose one of 8 choices
Choose one of 8 choices

General Education: Area 2

about Area 2

Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

College-level mathematics or quantitative reasoning — the toolkit behind science, business, and informed citizenship.

General Education: Area 5

about Area 5

Physical and Biological Sciences

The physical universe, its life forms, and its natural phenomena — astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, meteorology, oceanography, physics — taught alongside the scientific method that makes them work.

Term 2

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

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

14.5–16 units
MUS 41
Piano II
1 units
course details

A second-level introductory course in piano, open to both music and non-music majors. This course continues instruction in music-reading and keyboard skills, including piano technique, major scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, keyboard harmony, and basic transposition skills through upper-beginning piano repertoire. (C-ID MUS 171).

Prerequisite: MUS 40

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

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

Select one:

Required

1–1.5 units
Choose one of 8 choices
Choose one of 8 choices

General Education: Area 1A

about Area 1A

English Composition

Baccalaureate-level academic writing — expository and argumentative. The foundation for every other course you'll write in.

General Education: Area 4

about Area 4

Social and Behavioral Sciences

The systematic study of people as members of society — cultural anthropology, cultural geography, economics, history, political science, psychology, sociology — and the methods these disciplines use to ask their questions.

Graduation Requirement Choice (See GE Guide)

Term 3

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

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

14.5–16 units
MUS 42
Piano III
1 units
course details

An intermediate-level piano course, open to both music and non-music majors. This course continues instruction in advancing keyboard skills, including piano technique, major and minor scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, expanded keyboard harmony, and transposition skills through intermediate piano repertoire. (C-ID MUS 172).

Prerequisite: MUS 41

MUS 84
Theory & Musicianship III
4 units
course details

This course incorporates and further develops the concepts from Theory & Musicianship II and explores advanced chromatic harmony. Topics include borrowed chords, Neapolitan chord, augmented sixth chords, altered chords, chromatic modulation techniques, and an introduction to post-tonal music. Musicianship component develops advanced skills in sight singing and dictation, including decorative chromaticism, altered chords, modulation to closely related keys, and irregular meters. (C-ID MUS 140/MUS 145).

Prerequisite: 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

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.

Select one:

Required

1–1.5 units
Choose one of 8 choices
Choose one of 8 choices

General Education: Area 3

about Area 3

Arts and Humanities

How people and cultures, across time, respond to themselves and the world through artistic and cultural creative production. Visual and performing arts, art history, foreign languages, literature, philosophy, religion.

General Education: Area 6

about Area 6

Ethnic Studies

The histories, experiences, and contributions of the four autonomous disciplines: Black / African American / Africana studies, Native American studies, Chicano/a/x and Latino/a/x studies, and Asian American studies.

Term 4

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

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

15.5–19 units
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

Select one:

Required

1–1.5 units
Choose one of 8 choices
Choose one of 8 choices

Select two:

Required

2–4 units
Choose 2 of 5 choices
Choose 2 of 5 choices

General Education: Area 1B

about Area 1B

Oral Communication and Critical Thinking

Baccalaureate-level oral communication and/or critical thinking — speaking with structure to a live audience, analyzing arguments, identifying assumptions.

Elective (any course numbered 1-99 or C1000-C1999)

Only necessary if the 60 units needed to graduate have not been completed. Consider taking a Cal-GETC General Education course. Visit www.assist.org to see options.

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

  • Secondary School Teachers
  • Musicians and Singers

Graduate School Paths

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

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset are grouped into the graduate-school pathway for this program.

Local Job Market

Secondary School TeachersSOC 25-20313 nearby openings

Search keyword used: secondary teacher · Search window: last 30 days, 25-mile radius

Top employers in sample

  • Amergis 3

Where the postings are

  • Linda, Yuba County 2
  • Thermalito, Butte County 1

Sample current postings

  1. SPED Teacher for Yuba/Marysville/Chico - PAY up to $70hrAmergis · Linda, Yuba County · today
  2. Special Education TeacherAmergis · Thermalito, Butte County · 2 weeks ago
  3. Mod/Severe SPED Teachers Needed in Yuba / Sutter County!Amergis · Linda, Yuba County · 2 weeks ago

See all openings on Adzuna

Musicians and SingersSOC 27-20424 nearby openings

Search keyword used: musician · Search window: last 60 days, 50-mile radius · Avg listed salary: $106,654/yr

Top employers in sample

  • County of Nevada 4

Where the postings are

  • Nevada City, Nevada County 4

Sample current postings

  1. Program ManagerCounty of Nevada · Nevada City, Nevada County · 5 days ago
  2. Behavioral Health Therapist II - $1,000 - $5,000 NEW HIRE BONUSCounty of Nevada · Nevada City, Nevada County · 4 weeks ago
  3. Behavioral Health Therapist I - $1,000 - $5,000 NEW HIRE BONUSCounty of Nevada · Nevada City, Nevada County · 4 weeks ago
  4. Behavioral Health Therapist-Licensed - $1,000 - $5,000 NEW HIRE BONUSCounty of Nevada · Nevada City, Nevada County · 4 weeks ago

See all openings on Adzuna

Posting counts come from Adzuna's index of US job boards, covering the last up to 60 days within up to 50 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 2026-06-12T23:24+00:00