Professional Music - A.A.S.

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For more information on this program, contact the Humanities division at 615-230-3200 or at humanities@volstate.edu.

The Professional Music Associate of Applied Science program prepares students to become working musicians in the entertainment industry. The program includes a foundation in music theory and entertainment industry practices as well as individual instruction and regular performance opportunities to prepare students for a variety of careers in popular music, including church music, performing, and songwriting.

All students graduating with a degree from VSCC are required to take the Educational Testing Service Proficiency Profile (ETSP) to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found at https://www.volstate.edu/testing.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

Demonstrate effective performance skills as a solo artist, as part of an ensemble, and/or as a music director.
Collaborate appropriately with others in professional music settings.
Apply a broad-based knowledge of music production technology and music theory to performances and/or other professional music settings.
Demonstrate proficiency in the application of critical listening and practical audio engineering skills.

General Education Requirements - Credits: (15)

Social/Behavioral Sciences Credits: (3)

COMM 2025 - ^Fundamentals of Communication Credits: (3)
OR COMM 2045 - ^Public Speaking Credits: (3)
ENGL 1010 - ^English Composition I Credits: (3)
MATH 1010 - ^Math for General Studies Credits: (3) OR HIGHER
MUS 1030 - ^Introduction to Music Credits: (3)

Major Core Course Requirements - Credits: (36)

Ensembles (Appropriate to Applied Area) Credits: (2)
Individual Private Lessons Credits: (4)

COMM 270 - *Audio for Media Credits: (3)
COMM 299P - *Capstone Experience Credits: (2-3)
MBUS 125 - *Introduction to Entertainment Business Credits: (3)
MBUS 150 - *Introduction to Entertainment Business II Credits: (3)
MUS 224 - Songwriting I (Beginning) Credits: (3)
MUS 226 - Music Technology I Credits: (3)
MUS 1058 - Ear Training I Credits: (1)
MUS 1156 - Ear Training II Credits: (1)
MUS 1027 - Class Piano I Credits: (1)
MUS 1057 - Music Theory I Credits: (3)
MUS 1127 - Class Piano II Credits: (1)
MUS 1155 - Music Theory II Credits: (3)
MUS 2031 - *Music Performance Skills Credits: (2)

Area of Emphasis Electives - Credits (9)

Choose 9 credits from the following courses:

Additional ensemble(s) (Appropriate to applied area) Credits: (1-3)

COMM 271 - *Introduction to Audio Recording Techniques Credits: (3)
COMM 273 - *Live Sound Recording and Reinforcement Credits: (3)
MUS 223 - Survey of Recording Industry Credits: (3)
MUS 225 - Songwriting II (Advanced) Credits: (3)
MUS 227 - Music Publishing Seminar Credits: (2)
MUS 280 - Cooperative Work Experience Credits: (3)
MUS 2030 - *Conducting Seminar Credits: (2)
MUS 2150 - American Folk Music Credits: (3)
MUS 2029 - *Contemporary Issues in Church Music Credits: (3)
MUS 181 - Jazz Piano Class Credits: (1)

Total Degree Requirements - Credits (60)

Career and Salary Information

The following is a list of some of the career choices that may be obtained upon completion of this program. Please visit the following website http://www.onetonline.org or speak to an advisor for additional career opportunities, salary information and education requirements. Salaries are not guaranteed.

Career	Beginning Salary	Experienced Median Salary
Musicians and Singers	$8.27/hour	$26.52/hour
Music Directors and Composers	$20,730/year	$65,360/year

Recommended Schedule

This is a recommended schedule. Learning Support, pre-requisites and other academic factors may impact this schedule. See your advisor to create a degree plan.

Degree Works, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning. Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the Degree Works audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

First Year - Fall Semester - Credits: (15)

Applied Private Lesson Credits: (1)
Ensemble Credits: (1)
Elective Credits: (3)

COMM 270 - *Audio for Media Credits: (3)
ENGL 1010 - ^English Composition I Credits: (3)
MATH 1010 - ^Math for General Studies Credits: (3) OR HIGHER
MUS 1027 - Class Piano I Credits: (1)

First Year - Spring Semester - Credits: (16)

Applied Private Lesson Credits: (1)
Ensemble Credits: (1)
Elective Credits: (3)

COMM 2025 - ^Fundamentals of Communication Credits: (3)
OR COMM 2045 - ^Public Speaking Credits: (3)
MUS 226 - Music Technology I Credits: (3)
MUS 1057 - Music Theory I Credits: (3)
MUS 1058 - Ear Training I Credits: (1)
MUS 1127 - Class Piano II Credits: (1)

Second Year - Fall Semester - Credits: (14)

Applied Private Lesson Credits: (1)
Elective Credits: (3)

MBUS 125 - *Introduction to Entertainment Business Credits: (3)
MUS 224 - Songwriting I (Beginning) Credits: (3)
MUS 1156 - Ear Training II Credits: (1)
MUS 1155 - Music Theory II Credits: (3)

Second Year - Spring Semester - Credits (15)

Applied Private Lesson Credits: (1)
Social/Behavioral Science (PSYC 1030 recommended) Credits: (3)

COMM 299P - *Capstone Experience Credits: (2-3)
MBUS 150 - *Introduction to Entertainment Business II Credits: (3)
MUS 1030 - ^Introduction to Music Credits: (3)
MUS 2031 - *Music Performance Skills Credits: (2)