For more information, visit the Dallas College Commercial Music webpage and your academic advisor at the Cedar Valley campus.
This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing the Digital Music Production and Composition associate degree. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Digital Music Production and Composition. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours (15 hours) required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See catalog for official degree requirements.
The A.A.S. degree program in Digital Music Production and Composition prepares students for a targeted career in the fast-paced Commercial Music industry as a music creator. Essential courses focus on learning modern Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) techniques and, in particular, mastering Apple's Logic Pro and Garage Band as well as Finale music notation software and general composition and orchestration techniques. Students will learn the process involved in creating and producing music as well as how to submit music for copyright and professional release Courses that complete the degree, the Digital Music Production Certificate (DM) and the Composition Certificate (CC) are noted below.
Visit www.ntxccc.org/pathways to view guided pathways created for students who complete an A.A.S. degree and the options for transfer to complete a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science. Speak with an academic advisor at your campus to choose courses that will help you to transfer to a specific university.
Catalog Year 2021-2022 You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.
Degree Type Associate of Applied Science
GPA Requirement Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher
TSI Must be Complete
SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS
All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official degree plan. See catalog for official degree requirements.
AAS DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS
SEMESTER 1
MUSC 1313 – Commercial Music Theory I (Course also applies to CC)
MUSC 1327 – Audio Engineering I (Course also applies to DM)
MUSC 1331 – Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) I (Course also applies to DM)
MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital Intended for repeatability for advanced practice. (Course also applies to DM, CC)
MATH 1332– Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of "C" or better.
COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE *
CHOOSE ONE:
- MUSP 2103 – Commercial Class Piano (Course also applies to DM, CC)
- MUSP 1110 – Applied Commercial Music: Piano (Course also applies to DM, CC) OR
- MUSP 1123 – Applied Commercial Music: Synthesizer (Course also applies to DM, CC)
CHOOSE ONE:
- COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE * (Course also applies to DM, CC) OR
- APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC ELECTIVE ** (Course also applies to DM, CC)
* Commercial Music Ensemble Elective courses must be selected from the following: MUSP 1142, MUSP 1150, MUSP 1151, MUSP 1153, or MUSP 2106
** Applied Commercial Music Elective must be selected from the following: MUSP 1101, MUSP 1104, MUSP 1105, MUSP 1110, MUSP 1117, MUSP 1123, MUSP 1127, MUSP 1201, MUSP 1204, MUSP 1205, MUSP 1210, MUSP 1217, MUSP 1223, MUSP 1227
SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with your advisor to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
- Meet with a career advisor or coach to research your career options and opportunities for job shadowing.
- NOTE: To complete the Composition Certificate two of the following three courses must be taken – MUSP 2103, MUSP 1110, MUSP 1123.
Total Hours: 16
SEMESTER 2
MUSC 1311 – Commercial Music Sight Singing and Ear Training I (Course also applies to CC)
MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital Intended for repeatability for advanced practice. (Course also applies to DM and CC)
ENGL 1301 – Composition I This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of "C" or better.
MUSC 1333 – Synthesis I (Course also applies to DM)
CHOOSE THREE HOURS:
- COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE* (Courses also applies to CC)
- APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC ELECTIVE** (Courses also applies to CC)
* Commercial Music Ensemble Elective courses must be selected from the following: MUSP 1142, MUSP 1150, MUSP 1151, MUSP 1153, or MUSP 2106
** Applied Commercial Music Elective must be selected from the following: MUSP 1101, MUSP 1104, MUSP 1105, MUSP 1110, MUSP 1117, MUSP 1123, MUSP 1127, MUSP 1201, MUSP 1204, MUSP 1205, MUSP 1210, MUSP 1217, MUSP 1223, MUSP 1227
SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with your advisor to request an official program of study audit and confirm or update your academic/career path and program of study.
Total Hours: 13
SEMESTER 3
MUSC 2355 – Musical Instrument Digital Interface II (Course also applies to DM, CC)
MUSC 2314 – Improvisation Theory I
MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital Intended for repeatability for advanced practice.
MUSC 2330 – Commercial Music Arranging and Composition (Course also applies to CC)
MUSI 1310 – American Music This is a Core course.
CHOOSE ONE:
- COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE * (Course also applies to DM) OR
- APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC ELECTIVE ** (Course also applies to DM)
* Commercial Music Ensemble Elective courses must be selected from the following: MUSP 1142, MUSP 1150, MUSP 1151, MUSP 1153, or MUSP 2106
** Applied Commercial Music Elective must be selected from the following: MUSP 1101, MUSP 1104, MUSP 1105, MUSP 1110, MUSP 1117, MUSP 1123, MUSP 1127, MUSP 1201, MUSP 1204, MUSP 1205, MUSP 1210, MUSP 1217, MUSP 1223, MUSP 1227
SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with a faculty or career advisor regarding placement for the Internship course.
- Meet with a career advisor or coach for assistance in preparing for job search.
Total Hours: 14
SEMESTER 4
MUSB 1305 – Survey of the Music Business (Course also applies to DM)
MUSC 2345 – Synthesis II
MUSC 2319 – Commercial Orchestration (Course also applies to CC)
PSYC 2301 – General Psychology This is a Core course.
SPCH 1311 – Introduction to Speech Communication This is a Core course.
CHOOSE ONE:
- MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital
- MUSC 1193 – Special Topics in Music Theory and Composition OR
- MUSC 2186 – Internship-Recording Arts Technology/Technician
CHOOSE ONE:
- COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE* OR
- APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC ELECTIVE**
* Commercial Music Ensemble Elective courses must be selected from the following: MUSP 1142, MUSP 1150, MUSP 1151, MUSP 1153, or MUSP 2106
** Applied Commercial Music Elective must be selected from the following: MUSP 1101, MUSP 1104, MUSP 1105, MUSP 1110, MUSP 1117, MUSP 1123, MUSP 1127, MUSP 1201, MUSP 1204, MUSP 1205, MUSP 1210, MUSP 1217, MUSP 1223, MUSP 1227
SEMESTER 4 ACTION ITEMS
- After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, meet with your advisor to apply for the Digital Music Production and Composition A.A.S., Composition Certificate and Digital Music Production Certificate.
- Sign up for commencement.
- Join the Alumni Network!
Total Hours: 17
PATHWAY TOTAL: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS