Commercial Music
Associate in Arts Degree
Career/Technical (Major Code: A2540)
The commercial music program at Southwestern College is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in music theory, performance, audio production, and music business, preparing them for various careers in the music industry. This program serves traditional college students, transfer students, and adult learners seeking to enhance their skills or change careers. Notably, the program articulates closely with the Music-Global Composition program at San Diego State University (SDSU), facilitating a smooth transfer process for students wishing to pursue a bachelor's degree. The curriculum at Southwestern College includes foundational courses in music theory, composition, and technology, aligning with SDSU’s focus on global composition, which emphasizes diverse musical traditions and contemporary practices. This alignment ensures that students are well-prepared to continue their education at SDSU, benefiting from a cohesive and comprehensive educational pathway in music.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to communicate abstract concepts to clients in order to meet their subjective creative needs.
- Students will be able to create musical works of art.
- Students will explore a repository of audio information and use their findings to make informed decisions.
Gainful Employment
The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges to disclose a variety of information for any financial aid eligible program that “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.”
Students who complete this program will have acquired the necessary analytical tools to successfully secure gainful employment in the field of study.
For more information regarding the data provided for this program and what it means to you as a student, please feel free to visit our SWC Gainful Employment website at: www.swccd.edu/gainfulemployment
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MUS/RA&T 100 | MUSIC TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| MUS 150/RA&T 110 | MUSIC BUSINESS/CAREER OVERVIEW | 3 |
| MUS 132A | CLASS PIANO I | 1 |
| Units | 7 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MUS 131 | MUSIC FUNDAMENTALS | 3 |
| MUS 155/RA&T 105 | ELECTROACOUSTIC COMPOSITION | 3 |
| Units | 6 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| MUS 101 | MUSIC THEORY I | 3 |
| MUS 111 | AURAL SKILLS I | 1 |
| MUS 125 | APPLIED MUSIC---INDIVIDUAL STUDY I | 0.5 |
| RA&T 107 | COMPOSITION LABORATORY | 3 |
| Choose one Performance Elective course: | 1 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO IMPROVISATION | ||
| SMALL PERFORMING GROUPS I | ||
| Units | 8.5 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| RA&T 120/MUS 151/FTMA 111 | RECORDING TECHNIQUES | 3 |
| Choose 2-4 units from below Electives: | 2-4 | |
| AUDIO RECORDING TECHNOLOGY I | ||
| LIVE SOUND | ||
| CLASS VOICE I | ||
| CLASS VOICE II | ||
| CLASS PIANO II | ||
| AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC | ||
| BRASS, WOODWIND, AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS I | ||
| BRASS, WOODWIND, AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS II | ||
| BRASS, WOODWIND, AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS III | ||
| BRASS, WOODWIND, AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS IV | ||
| STRING INSTRUMENTS, PIANO, AND VOICE I | ||
| STRING INSTRUMENTS, PIANO, AND VOICE II | ||
| STRING INSTRUMENTS, PIANO, AND VOICE III | ||
| STRING INSTRUMENTS, PIANO, AND VOICE IV | ||
| MUSIC THEORY II | ||
| AURAL SKILLS II | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS | ||
| Units | 5-7 | |
| Total Units | 26.5-28.5 | |
To earn an associate degree, additional general education and graduation requirements must be completed.