General Studies: Music Option, Associate in Arts

Click here to go to the Mass Transfer webpageThe associate in arts degree in Music offers guidance in course selection to students preparing for careers in music, either those seeking professional work or those seeking to transfer to four year colleges. Students enrolled in the music option should plan to take at least 35 credits in music courses including 4 courses each in Applied Music and Ensemble at levels determined by the department.

A minimum of 66 credit hours is required for graduation.

Any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six-core academic skills-in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Students should select electives that meet core academic skills that are not met by the required courses.  Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.

Requirements

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ENG101English Composition I

3

ENG102English Composition II

3

MUS102Introduction to Western Music

3

Information Literacy Intensive

MUS112Introduction to World Music

3

Global Awareness Intensive

Public Presentation Intensive

MUS115Aural Skills I

1

MUS116Aural Skills II

1

MUS121Music Theory I

3

MUS122Music Theory II

3

MUS131Piano I

3

MUS141Performance Workshop I

1

MUS142Performance Workshop II

1

MUS217Aural Skills III

1

MUS218Aural Skills IV

1

MUS223Music Theory III

3

MUS224Music Theory IV

3

Written Communication Intensive

MUS243Performance Workshop III

1

MUS244Performance Workshop IV

1

Behavioral Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

History/Government ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

History/Government ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Math ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Program ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

4

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

4

Applied Music ISee Applied Music I Options

1

Applied Music IISee Applied Music II Options

1

Applied Music IIISee Applied Music III Options

1

Applied Music IVSee Applied Music IV Options

1

Ensemble ISee Ensemble I Options

1

Ensemble IISee Ensemble II Options

1

Ensemble IIISee Ensemble III Options

1

Ensemble IVSee Ensemble IV Options

1

Elective Advice:
Behavioral Science ElectiveStudents transferring to UMASS Lowell tracks and Music Education track take: PSY101
History/Government Elective: Students must take a HIS or GOV course 
Math Elective: MAT122 or higher
Program Elective: Students transferring to UMASS Lowell Sound Recording Tech must take MUS128; Music Business must take ECO201; Other UMASS Lowell Tracks take additional Music History course via NECCUM
Science Elective: Select a course that meets Science Technology Intensive. Students transferring to UMASS Lowell Sound Recording Tech must take PHS111

Students should select electives that meet core academic skills that are not met by the required courses.

Applied Music Options: Choose 4 courses from the following (any combination as long as the prerequisite is met): MUS173, MUS174, MUS273, MUS274, MUS175, MUS176, MUS275, MUS276, MUS177, MUS178, MUS277, MUS278, MUS179, MUS180, MUS279, MUS280, MUS181, MUS182, MUS281, MUS282

Ensemble Options: Choose 4 courses from the following (any combination as long as the prerequisite is met): MUS187, MUS188, MUS151, MUS152, MUS251, MUS252, MUS161, MUS162, MUS261, MUS262, MUS135, MUS136, MUS236, MUS237

Courses with Prerequisites: ENG102, MUS116, MUS122, MUS142, MUS217, MUS218, MUS223, MUS224, MUS243, MUS244

Recommended Course Sequence/Pathway General Studies Music Associate Degree

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)

Year 1 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ENG101English Composition I

3

MUS115Aural Skills I

1

MUS121Music Theory I

3

MUS131Piano I

3

MUS141Performance Workshop I

1

Applied Music ISee Applied Music I Options

1

Ensemble ISee Ensemble I Options

1

History/Government ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Year 1 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ENG102English Composition II

3

MUS116Aural Skills II

1

MUS122Music Theory II

3

MUS142Performance Workshop II

1

Applied Music IISee Applied Music II Options

1

Ensemble IISee Ensemble II Options

1

History/Government ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

4

Year 2 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
MUS102Introduction to Western Music

3

Information Literacy Intensive

MUS217Aural Skills III

1

MUS223Music Theory III

3

MUS243Performance Workshop III

1

Applied Music IIISee Applied Music III Options

1

Ensemble IIISee Ensemble III Options

1

Math ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

4

Year 2 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
MUS112Introduction to World Music

3

Global Awareness Intensive

Public Presentation Intensive

MUS218Aural Skills IV

1

MUS224Music Theory IV

3

Written Communication Intensive

MUS244Performance Workshop IV

1

Applied Music IVSee Applied Music IV Options

1

Behavioral Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Ensemble IVSee Ensemble IV Options

1

Program ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Total Credit Hours: 66