Music Studies
Associate of Arts Degree Music · San Diego Mesa College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Summary
The Associate of Arts in Music Studies provides students with the basic skills for musical pursuits suitable to meet goals and needs in music not concentrated on performance.
Award Note: The Associate Degree requires a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units.
Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Music Studies Program will be able to:
- Demonstrate critical thinking through musical performances, reading music notation, using music technology, and communicating musical concepts using correct terminology.
- Demonstrate aural recognition, aesthetic understanding, and cultural awareness through recognizing elements of music that are the product of and responses to cultural values, traditions, and norms.
- Demonstrate aural recognition, aesthetic understanding, and cultural awareness through recognizing, comparing, and discussing distinguishing elements of music and music literature.
Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE MAJOR: | 17 | |
| MUSI 100 | Introduction to Music | 3 |
| MUSI 123A | Recital Hour I | 0.5 |
| MUSI 123B | Recital Hour II | 0.5 |
| MUSI 124A | Piano Class I | 1 |
| MUSI 124B | Piano Class II | 1 |
| MUSI 148A | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUSI 148B | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUSI 150A | Basic Musicianship | 3 |
| MUSI 268A | Ear Training I | 1 |
| MUSI 268B | Ear Training II | 1 |
| Select 4 units from the following: | 4 | |
| MUSI 257A | Guitar Ensemble I | 1 |
| MUSI 257B | Guitar Ensemble II | 1 |
| MUSI 257C | Guitar Ensemble III | 1 |
| MUSI 257D | Guitar Ensemble IV | 1 |
| MUSI 259A | Choir I | 1 |
| MUSI 259B | Choir II | 1 |
| MUSI 259C | Choir III | 1 |
| MUSI 259D | Choir IV | 1 |
| MUSI 261A | World Music Ensemble I | 1 |
| MUSI 261B | World Music Ensemble II | 1 |
| MUSI 261C | World Music Ensemble III | 1 |
| MUSI 261D | World Music Ensemble IV | 1 |
| MUSI 262A | Jazz Big Band I | 1 |
| MUSI 262B | Jazz Big Band II | 1 |
| MUSI 262C | Jazz Big Band III | 1 |
| MUSI 262D | Jazz Big Band IV | 1 |
| MUSI 264A | Jazz Ensemble I | 1 |
| MUSI 264B | Jazz Ensemble II | 1 |
| MUSI 264C | Jazz Ensemble III | 1 |
| MUSI 264D | Jazz Ensemble IV | 1 |
| Select 15 units from the following: | 15 | |
| MUSI 103 | History of Rock Music | 3 |
| MUSI 108 | The Business of Music | 3 |
| MUSI 109 | World Music | 3 |
| MUSI 110 | Music for Elementary School Teachers | 3 |
| MUSI 111 | Jazz History | 3 |
| MUSI 114 | Music of The Beatles | 3 |
| MUSI 117 | Music in the United States | 3 |
| MUSI 118 | Asian & Pacific Music | 3 |
| MUSI 119 | Music in Latin America & North America | 3 |
| MUSI 125 | Music, the Arts, and Society | 3 |
| MUSI 126 | Rap Music and Hip Hop Culture | 3 |
| MUSI 131 | Music of California | 3 |
| MUSI 134A | Voice Class I | 1 |
| MUSI 134B | Voice Class II | 1 |
| MUSI 134C | Voice Class III | 1 |
| MUSI 134D | Voice Class IV | 1 |
| MUSI 136A | Guitar Class I | 1 |
| MUSI 136B | Guitar Class II | 1 |
| MUSI 138 | Women in Music | 3 |
| MUSI 190 | Introduction to Music Technology | 3 |
| MUSI 206A | Projects in Composition I | 3 |
| MUSI 206B | Projects in Composition II | 3 |
| MUSI 230A | Jazz Improvisation I | 1 |
| MUSI 230B | Jazz Improvisation II | 1 |
| MUSI 230C | Jazz Improvisation III | 1 |
| MUSI 230D | Jazz Improvisation IV | 1 |
| MUSI 290 | Independent Study | 1-3 |