Music and Technology Associate in Arts Degree Program

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Related Degrees & Certificates

Program	Units
AA Associate in Arts Degree Program
Electronic Music	60 units
Music	60 units
AA-T Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
Music	60 units
CA Certificate of Achievement
Electronic Music	21 units
Music and Technology	23 units
CS Certificate of Specialization
Commercial Music	14 - 15 units

Career Opportunities

Music producer, audio engineer, composer for video games and film, sound designer for video games and film, songwriter, audio designer, music analyst, music publicist, music distributor, independent performing artist, DJ, artist manager.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

Compose and produce original music and sound design using various electronic and digital technologies and techniques.
Use recording, mixing and editing digital audio to produce original creative projects.
Demonstrate understanding of the control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound as applied to music production.
Acquire marketable skills to create and compete successfully on a career path of their own design in the music industry.

University Transfer Program

Use Assist to identify lower division major preparation for the California State University and the University of California systems. For independent or out-of-state colleges and universities use their catalogs to locate this information. Transfer Services can assist you to gather this information.

About the Program

The College of San Mateo provides a creative environment where every student may become enriched through an active association with the art of music and a faculty who are active in the music profession. The Music Department at College of San Mateo places strong emphasis upon performance as well as composition in both traditional and electronic media. At the same time, the department offers the general student enhanced understanding and appreciation of all forms of music. Through this two-fold approach, the department’s purpose becomes clear: to promote excellence in all aspects of music performance and academic course work, to provide basic preparation for careers in music, and to promote interest in all music and artistic endeavors at the College and in the Bay Area community.

Career opportunities include accompanist; arranger; composer; conductor; critic; band, orchestra or recording musician; lyricist, performing instrumentalist or vocalist; music director (radio station); private music instructor; music producer; music publisher; music therapist; night-club/restaurant entertainer; recording engineer; and teacher/professor. Additional career possibilities include choir director, music librarian, music minister, piano tuner, professional manager, recreation specialist, and soloist.

Meet with a CSM counselor to discuss how to achieve academic goals and to develop a comprehensive student educational plan (SEP).

University Transfer Program
60 – 70 transferable units

California State University
University of California
Independent Colleges and Universities

Program Overview

This cross-disciplinary program will prepare students to enter the music industry or transfer to a related four-year degree program. Hands-on courses provide training in electronic music composition, sound design, music business and promotion, songwriting, audio recording and engineering, and live performance. The program prepares students in both the creative and technical elements for careers and continued study.

Program Requirements

Required Core Courses: 15 units

Major Requirements		Units
MUS. 100	Fundamentals of Music	3 units
MUS. 280	History of Electronic Music	3 units
MUS. 286	Music Business	3 units
MUS. 290	Electronic Music I	3 units
MUS. 291	Electronic Music II	3 units

Required Selective Courses: Choose a minimum of 8 units from the following courses:		Units
MUS. 120	Songwriting	3 units
MUS. 222	Live Sound and Streaming	3 units
MUS. 289	Recording for Musical Applications	3 units
MUS. 292	Sound Creation: Sampling and Synthesis	3 units
MUS. 293	Audio for Visual Media	3 units
MUS. 298	New Interfaces for Making Music	4 units
MUS. 398	New Interfaces for Making Music II	4 units
MUS. 423	Small Ensembles	2 units

		Units

Total Required Major Units: 23

And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.

Please refer to the AA/AS Degree Requirements for more information.