Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Music

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

Effective Term

Fall 2026

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

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 placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 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.	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 FYC, WCM	3
MTC155	Music Theory/Aural Perception II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MTC105.			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 MUC191.			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.			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 MUC191 or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MUC192.			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			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		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

Courses Not Currently Offered

South Mountain Community College does not currently offer these courses. These courses may be offered by other Maricopa Community Colleges as indicated below. Alternative courses, as outlined in the term-by-term course listing above, may also meet the same requirements for your degree or certificate.

Courses listed in this pathway map that are not currently offered at South Mountain Community College
Course Number	Course Name	Offering Colleges
MTC130	Jazz Theory	Chandler-Gilbert, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale
MTC155	Music Theory/Aural Perception II	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale
MTC203	Jazz Composition	Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale
MTC205	Music Theory III	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale
MTC255	Music Theory/Aural Perception IV	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale
MUC140	Songwriting	Chandler-Gilbert, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale
MUC181	Popular Music Orchestration and Arranging	Chandler-Gilbert, Paradise Valley
MUC193	Computer-Based Sound Synthesis	Phoenix
MUC195AA	Studio Music Recording I	Mesa
MUC197	Live Sound Reinforcement I	Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale
MUC281	Electronic Music III	Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix
MUP100	Introduction to Digital Musicianship	Not currently offered
MUP132	Class Piano II	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale
MUP150	Community Chorus	Glendale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix
MUP153	Concert Choir	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale
MUP154AA	Jazz Vocal Ensemble	Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale
MUP154AB	Jazz Vocal Ensemble	Not currently offered
MUP157	Treble Choir	Glendale, Phoenix
MUP159	Community Orchestra	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale
MUP160	Orchestra	Not currently offered
MUP161	Community Band	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale
MUP162	Band	Glendale, Mesa
MUP164	Jazz Improvisation I	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale
MUP165	Jazz Improvisation II	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale
MUP169	Guitar Ensemble	Glendale
MUP181	Chamber Music Ensembles	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Rio Salado, Scottsdale
MUP182	Chamber Singers	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale
MUP183	Jazz Combo	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale
MUP190	Percussion Ensemble	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix
MUP201	Private Instruction	Not currently offered
MUP202	Private Instruction	Not currently offered
MUP217	Music Theatre: Broadway Solos	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Rio Salado, Scottsdale
MUP231	Class Piano III	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale
MUP232	Class Piano IV	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale
MUP251	Private Instruction	Not currently offered
MUP252	Private Instruction	Not currently offered
MUP270AA	Musical Theatre Workshop	Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale

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.

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.