Music: Associate in Fine Arts Degree

Schoolcraft’s Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree is designed for students who intend to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in any fine arts field. It allows the student to establish a strong academic foundation in arts and complete courses to fulfill general education requirements-all before transferring to a Bachelor’s degree program at another college or university. The AFA allows students to focus on a particular discipline within the fine arts, including both music performance as well as music history/culture. Students interested in other areas of fine arts could substitute courses in art, creative writing, literature, theater, or humanities.

All courses must be completed with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 or better.

Sample Schedule of Courses

First Year

Fall Semester

• English Communication - Select first General Education English Communication course Credits: 3 *
• Mathematics - Select General Education Mathematics course Credits: 4 *
• Humanities - Select first General Education Humanities course Credits: 3 *
• Major Area of Study - Select liberal arts courses from ART, HUM, MUSIC, THEA, and ENG (Creative Writing or Literature courses only).* See the list below for recommended music courses.

For recommended courses in other areas of the fine arts, see the degree requirements or talk with an academic advisor.

Total Credits: 13

Winter Semester

• English Communication - Select second General Education English Communication course Credits: 3 *
• Social Science - Select first General Education Social Science course Credits: 3 *
• Humanities - Select second General Education Humanities course Credits: 1 *
• Major Area of Study - Select liberal arts courses from ART, HUM, MUSIC, THEA, and ENG (Creative Writing or Literature courses only).* See list below for recommended music courses.

For recommended courses in other areas of the fine arts, see the degree requirements or talk with an academic advisor.

Total Credits: 13

Spring/Summer Session

• Science - Select first General Education Science course Credits: 3
• Social Science - Select second General Education Social Science course Credits: 3

Total Credits: 6

Second Year

Fall Semester

• Science - Select second General Education Science course Credits: 4
• Major Area of Study - Select liberal arts courses from ART, HUM, MUSIC, THEA, and ENG (Creative Writing or Literature courses only).* See list below for recommended music courses. Credits: 6

For recommended courses in other areas of the fine arts, see the degree requirements or talk with an academic advisor.

• Electives - Select liberal arts or occupational courses that satisfy transfer and academic goals. Credits: 3 *

Total Credits: 13

Winter Semester

• Major Area of Study - Select liberal arts courses from ART, HUM, MUSIC, THEA, and ENG (Creative Writing or Literature courses only).* See list below for recommended music courses. Credits: 3

For recommended courses in other areas of the fine arts, see the degree requirements or talk with an academic advisor.

• Electives - Select liberal arts or occupational courses that satisfy transfer and academic goals. Credits: 12 *

Total Credits: 15

Recommended Courses - Music History/Culture Track:

• MUSIC 105 - Music Appreciation Credits: 3
• MUSIC 149 - Popular Music Culture in America Credits: 3
• MUSIC 153 - Music Theory 1 Credits: 3
• MUSIC 154 - Music Theory 2 Credits: 3
• MUSIC 155 - History of Broadway Credits: 3
• MUSIC 160 - Introduction to World Music Credits: 3
• MUSIC 164 - Music History 1 - 17th and 18th Centuries Credits: 3
• MUSIC 165 - Music History 2 - 19th and 20th Centuries Credits: 3

Additional courses in the humanities, music history, and culture that satisfy transfer and academic goals and requirements.

Recommended Courses - Music Performance Track:

• MUSIC 121 - Class Piano 1 Credits: 2
• MUSIC 137 - Sight Singing and Ear Training 1 Credits: 2
• MUSIC 138 - Sight Singing and Ear Training 2 Credits: 2
• MUSIC 153 - Music Theory 1 Credits: 3
• MUSIC 154 - Music Theory 2 Credits: 3

Additional courses in music performance that satisfy transfer and academic goals and requirements.

Program Total: 60 Credits

*Please check Schoolcraft General Education and transfer institution program requirements to determine course options.

Not all courses are offered each semester. Students should work with an academic advisor to develop a schedule that will work for them. Students planning to transfer should check the transfer institution’s requirements/guides or discuss their options with an academic advisor. The number of credits may vary depending on the course selection.