Music - Associate of General Studies Degree
Overview
The Associate of General Studies in Music (AGS–Music) degree is designed for students intending to transfer to a Bachelor of Music (BM) program or pursue further study in music. The curriculum includes general education requirements along with coursework in music theory, performance, and ensemble participation to support preparation for upper-division study.
Because admission to Bachelor of Music programs is competitive and varies by institution, students are strongly encouraged to work with a music advisor and their intended transfer institution to ensure appropriate course selection and audition preparation. Completion of the AGS–Music degree does not guarantee admission to a BM program or fulfillment of all lower-division requirements at the transfer institution.
MHCC offers a variety of ensemble opportunities open to students of all majors, as well as faculty, staff, and community members. Participation in ensembles typically requires an audition at or before the start of the term.
Available ensembles include:
- Orchestra
- Wind Ensemble
- Jazz Ensembles
- Symphonic Choir
- Chamber Choir
- Jazz Combos & Chamber Ensembles
Refer to the tabs above for additional information about:
- Requirements - outlines all courses required for completion of the degree
- Education Plan - provides a sample term-by-term sequence of courses
- Career Info - includes information on potential occupations, employment trends, and earnings
Program Requirements
The degree requirements below outline the courses and credit categories required to complete the Associate of General Studies in Music degree, including music core and general education requirements. Expand each section to view eligible courses that may be used to fulfill specific requirements.
For a suggested term-by-term sequence, refer to the Education Plan tab.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Music Core + Music Electives | 61-70 | |
| Mathematics, 1 option from AGS list | 0-4 | |
| Written Communication, 1 course from AGS list | 3-4 | |
| Oral Communication, 1 course from AGS list | 3-4 | |
| Arts & Letters, fulfilled by MUS courses | ||
| Social Science, 1 course from AGS list | 3-4 | |
| Science, 1 course from AGS list | 3-5 | |
| Heath and Physical Education, 1 credit from AGS list | 1 | |
| Electives, to reach 90 applicable degree credits | 0-16 | |
| Total Credits | 90 | |
Music Core
Complete all of the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Lessons (first year), MUP171 - 192 | 3-6 | |
| Individual Lessons (second year), MUP271 - 292 | 3-6 | |
| Two-year sequence of Band, Orchestra, or Choir. 1 | 6 | |
| Wind Ensemble: First Year and Wind Ensemble: Second Year | ||
| Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Choir: First Year and Symphonic Choir: Second Year | ||
| Collegiate Chorale: First Year and Collegiate Chorale: Second Year | ||
| MUP114 | Chamber Ensemble/Jazz Combo: First Year (repeatable) | 3 |
| MUS111 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS112 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS113 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS211 | Music Theory IV (Cultural Literacy course) | 3 |
| MUS212 | Music Theory V (Cultural Literacy course) | 3 |
| MUS213 | Music Theory VI (Cultural Literacy course) | 3 |
| MUS121 | Aural Skills I | 1 |
| MUS122 | Aural Skills II | 1 |
| MUS123 | Aural Skills III | 1 |
| MUS221 | Aural Skills IV: Modulation | 1 |
| MUS222 | Aural Skills V: Polyphony | 1 |
| MUS223 | Aural Skills VI: Chromaticism | 1 |
| MUS131 | Group Piano I | 2 |
| MUS132 | Group Piano II | 2 |
| MUS133 | Group Piano III | 2 |
| MUS231 | Keyboard Harmony I | 2 |
| MUS232 | Keyboard Harmony II | 2 |
| MUS268 | Music History: Baroque to Romantic (Cultural Literacy course) | 4 |
| Music electives | 8-11 | |
| Total Credits | 61-70 | |
- 1
Symphonic and chamber choirs are interchangeable. See a music adviser for more information.
Music Electives
Complete 8-11 credits. Work with your university's music transfer adviser to choose the correct music electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUP214 | Chamber Ensemble/Jazz Combo: Second Year | 1 |
| MUS103 | Jazz History | 3 |
| MUS105 | History of Rock | 3 |
| MUS107 | Audio Production 1 | 4 |
| MUS117 | Electronic Music Production I | 3 |
| MUS118 | Electronic Music Production II | 3 |
| MUS119 | Electronic Music Production III | 3 |
| MUS137 | Guitar Fundamentals | 2 |
| MUS138 | Intermediate Guitar Class | 1 |
| MUS152 | Introduction to Music Business | 3 |
| MUS161 | Jazz Improvisation | 2 |
| MUS162 | Jazz Improvisation | 2 |
| MUS201 | Music in Cinema (Cultural Literacy course) | 3 |
| MUS279 | Popular Songwriting | 3 |
| MUS282 | Fundamentals of Conducting | 2 |
Electives
Complete electives to reach a total of 90 degree credits. Elective courses for the AGS may be any course numbered 100 or above. No more than 30 credits of one discipline may apply as elective. A maximum of 8 credits of PE185, 25 credit hours of IECC courses numbered 100 or higher, and 12 credits of Cooperative Education Internship may be applied to the AGS degree as elective credit.
Education Plan
This sample Education Plan illustrates one possible course sequence. Students should consult an advisor to create a personalized plan.
General education courses (such as math, writing, health, etc.) can be taken during any term, or before starting the program.
In order to complete this degree, students must either place into MTH058 or above, or complete MTH020 Applied Arithmetic and Pre-algebra with a grade of "C" or higher.
| First Quarter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Select one of the following Band, Choir or Orchestra courses: | 1 | |
| MUP101 | Wind Ensemble: First Year | 1 |
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Choir: First Year or Collegiate Chorale: First Year | ||
| MUP170A-MUP192B | Individual Lessons (first year) | 1-2 |
| MUP114 | Chamber Ensemble/Jazz Combo: First Year | 1 |
| MUS111 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS121 | Aural Skills I | 1 |
| MUS131 | Group Piano I | 2 |
| WR121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Quarter | ||
| Winter | ||
| Select one of the following Band, Choir or Orchestra courses: | 1 | |
| Wind Ensemble: First Year | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Choir: First Year or Collegiate Chorale: First Year | ||
| MUP170A-MUP192B | Individual Lessons (first year) | 1-2 |
| MUP114 | Chamber Ensemble/Jazz Combo: First Year | 1 |
| MUS112 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS122 | Aural Skills II | 1 |
| MUS132 | Group Piano II | 2 |
| WR122Z or WR227Z | Composition II or Technical Writing | 4 |
| University Music Electives | 1-3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Third Quarter | ||
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following Band, Choir or Orchestra courses: | 1 | |
| Wind Ensemble: First Year | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Choir: First Year or Collegiate Chorale: First Year | ||
| MUP170A-MUP192B | Individual Lessons (first year) | 1-2 |
| MUP114 | Chamber Ensemble/Jazz Combo: First Year | 1 |
| MUS113 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS123 | Aural Skills III | 1 |
| MUS133 | Group Piano III | 2 |
| Oral Communication | COMM111Z or COMM218Z recommended | 4 |
| Health and Physical Education course from AGS list | 1 | |
| Elective, if needed to reach 90 credits | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fourth Quarter | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following Band, Choir or Orchestra courses: | 1 | |
| Wind Ensemble: Second Year | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Choir: Second Year or Collegiate Chorale: Second Year | ||
| MUP270A-MUP292B | Individual Lessons (second year) | 1-2 |
| MUS211 | Music Theory IV (Cultural Literacy course) | 3 |
| MUS221 | Aural Skills IV: Modulation | 1 |
| MUS231 | Keyboard Harmony I | 2 |
| MUS117 | Electronic Music Production I | 3 |
| Social Science course from AGS list | 3-4 | |
| Elective, if needed to reach 90 credits | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fifth Quarter | ||
| Winter | ||
| Select one of the following Band, Choir or Orchestra courses: | 1 | |
| Wind Ensemble: Second Year | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Choir: Second Year or Collegiate Chorale: Second Year | ||
| MUP270A-MUP292B | Individual Lessons (second year) | 1-2 |
| MUS212 | Music Theory V (Cultural Literacy course) | 3 |
| MUS222 | Aural Skills V: Polyphony | 1 |
| MUS232 | Keyboard Harmony II | 2 |
| Science course from AGS list (lab science recommended) | 3-5 | |
| University Music Electives | 1-3 | |
| Elective, if needed to reach 90 credits | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Sixth Quarter | ||
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following Band, Choir or Orchestra courses: | 1 | |
| Wind Ensemble: Second Year | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Choir: Second Year or Collegiate Chorale: Second Year | ||
| MUP270A-MUP292B | Individual Lessons (second year) | 1-2 |
| MUS213 | Music Theory VI (Cultural Literacy course) | 3 |
| MUS223 | Aural Skills VI: Chromaticism | 1 |
| MUS268 | Music History: Baroque to Romantic (Cultural Literacy course) | 4 |
| University Music Electives | 1-3 | |
| Elective, if needed to reach 90 credits | 1-3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 90 | |
Music Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS103 | Jazz History (Meets Social Science or Arts and Letters Requirement) | 3 |
| MUS104 | Music Notation | 1 |
| MUS105 | History of Rock (Meets Social Science or Arts and Letters Requirement) | 3 |
| MUS107 | Audio Production 1 | 4 |
| MUS108 | Audio Production 2 | 4 |
| MUS109 | Audio Production 3 | 4 |
| MUS118 | Electronic Music Production II | 3 |
| MUS119 | Electronic Music Production III | 3 |
| MUS137 | Guitar Fundamentals | 2 |
| MUS138 | Intermediate Guitar Class | 2 |
| MUS152 | Introduction to Music Business | 3 |
| MUS161 | Jazz Improvisation 1 | 2 |
| MUS162 | Jazz Improvisation 2 | 2 |
| MUS201 | Music in Cinema (Cultural Literacy course) | 3 |
| MUS279 | Popular Songwriting | 3 |
| MUS282 | Fundamentals of Conducting | 2 |
Career Information
Explore potential careers related to this program, including typical job roles, employment trends, and projected growth. This information can help you better understand how your education may align with future career opportunities.
Cultural Literacy course