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Commercial Music Associate's

Path: Academic Resources/Degrees/Commercial Music Associate's.mdUpdated: 2/3/2026

Program Description

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. 2 Year Degree.

Program Map

To earn an associate degree, additional general education and graduation requirements↗ must be completed.

FIRST SEMESTERUNITS
MUS/RA&T 100β†—MUSIC TECHNOLOGY3
MUS 150/RA&T 110β†—MUSIC BUSINESS/CAREER OVERVIEW3
MUS 132A↗CLASS PIANO I1
Units7
SECOND SEMESTER
MUS 131β†—MUSIC FUNDAMENTALS3
MUS 155/RA&T 105β†—ELECTROACOUSTIC COMPOSITION3
Units6
THIRD SEMESTER
MUS 101β†—MUSIC THEORY I3
MUS 111β†—AURAL SKILLS I1
MUS 125β†—APPLIED MUSIC---INDIVIDUAL STUDY I0.5
RA&T 107β†—COMPOSITION LABORATORY3
Choose one Performance Elective course:1
MUS 162β†—INTRODUCTION TO IMPROVISATION
MUS 170β†—SMALL PERFORMING GROUPS I
Units8.5
FOURTH SEMESTER
RA&T 120/MUS 151/FTMA 111β†—BASICS OF AUDIO PRODUCTION Modification Course3
Choose 2-4 units from below Electives:2-4
RA&T 121β†—AUDIO RECORDING TECHNOLOGY I
RA&T 171β†—LIVE SOUND Modification Course
MUS 140β†—CLASS VOICE I
MUS 141β†—CLASS VOICE II
MUS 132B↗CLASS PIANO II
MUS 107β†—AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC
MUS 119A↗BRASS, WOODWIND, AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS I
MUS 119B↗BRASS, WOODWIND, AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS II
MUS 119C↗BRASS, WOODWIND, AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS III
MUS 119D↗BRASS, WOODWIND, AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS IV
MUS 193A↗STRING INSTRUMENTS, PIANO, AND VOICE I
MUS 193B↗STRING INSTRUMENTS, PIANO, AND VOICE II
MUS 193C↗STRING INSTRUMENTS, PIANO, AND VOICE III
MUS 193D↗STRING INSTRUMENTS, PIANO, AND VOICE IV
MUS 102β†—MUSIC THEORY II
MUS 113β†—AURAL SKILLS II
BUS 174β†—INTRODUCTION TO INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
Units5-7
Total Units26.5-28.5