Associate in Fine Arts Degree - Music

Degree Requirements

(Total Minimum Credits Required: 64)

Each candidate for an Associate in Fine Arts—Music degree shall:

  1. Select courses to complete the required credits from:
    1. general education core requirement courses,
    2. coursework in the Human Relations and Global/ Multicultural Studies or Contemporary Life Skills categories, and
    3. specific program required courses, and
    4. general elective1 courses to a minimum of 64 credits.
      1

      Any regular credit-bearing course at the College. However, since this is a transfer program, we highly recommend an approved course that will transfer seamlessly to a baccalaureate degree program.

  2. Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 28 credits in General Education Core Curriculum (Illinois Articulation Initiative course codes are listed in parentheses after each course or sequence) in the Communication, Physical and Life Sciences, Mathematics, Humanities and Fine Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences categories as specified below. 
    1. Communication - 9 credits
      Written
      ENGLI 1101English Composition I (C1 900) 13
      ENGLI 1102English Composition II (C1 901R) 13
      Oral
      SPEEC 1100Fundamentals of Speech Communication (C2 900) 13
      1

      Grade of “C” or higher required.

    2. Physical and Life Sciences - 7 to 10 credits
      Select one course from Life Sciences and one course from Physical Sciences. At least one course must have a laboratory component. Students with sufficient preparation may select from IAI science majors courses. Check with http://www.itransfer.org. A minimum of seven credits must be selected from the following list:
      Life Sciences
      Biology
      BIOLO 1100Survey of Biology (L1 900L)4
      BIOLO 1110Environmental Biology (L1 905L)4
      BIOLO 1120Introduction to Genetics (No Lab) (L1 906)3
      BIOLO 1130Fundamentals of Biotechnology (L1 906L)4
      BIOLO 1151Principles of Biological Science (L1 910L)5
      Physical Sciences
      Chemistry
      CHEMI 1105Contemporary Chemistry (P1 903L)4
      CHEMI 1137Concepts and Applications in Nanoscience (P1903L)4
      CHEMI 1205Intro to Forensic Science & Chemistry (P1 903L)4
      CHEMI 1211Survey of General Chemistry (P1 902L)5
      CHEMI 1551Principles of Chemistry I (P1 902L)5
      Earth Science
      EARTH 1101Physical Geology of Earth's Interior (P1 907L)4
      EARTH 1102Physical Geology of Earth's Surface (P1 907L)4
      EARTH 1105Environmental Geology (P1 908L)4
      EARTH 1110Introduction to Meteorology (P1 905L)4
      EARTH 1111Climate and Global Change (No Lab) (P1 905)3
      EARTH 1115Severe and Unusual Weather (P1 905L)4
      EARTH 1119Weather Impacts and Preparedness (No Lab) (P1 905)3
      EARTH 1120Introduction to Astronomy (No Lab) (P1 906)3
      EARTH 1122Astronomy: The Solar System (P1 906L)4
      EARTH 1124Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies (P1 906L)4
      EARTH 1126Observational Astronomy (P1 906L)3
      Select one of the following: 13-4
      EARTH 1130
      		Introduction to Oceanography (P1 905L)
      EARTH 1131
      		Fundamentals of Oceanography (P1 905)
      EARTH 1135Water Science-Fundamentals of Hydrology (P1 905L)4
      Select one of the following: 13-4
      EARTH 1140
      		Fundamentals of Earth Science (P1 905L)
      EARTH 1141
      		Introduction to Earth Science (P1 905)
      Physics
      PHYSI 1100Physics (P1 900L)4
      PHYSI 1150Physics and Society (P1 901)3
      PHYSI 1201General Physics I (P1 900L)5
      PHYSI 2111Physics for Science and Engineering I (P2 900L)5
      1

      Not both

    3. Mathematics - 3 to 5 credits
      MATH 1218General Education Mathematics (M1 904)3
      MATH 1220Quantitative Literacy (M1 901)3
      MATH 1322Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II (M1 903)3
      MATH 1533Finite Mathematics (M1 906)4
      MATH 1635Statistics (M1 902) 14
      MATH 2000Survey of Calculus (M1 900-O)3
      MATH 2115Discrete Mathematics (M1 905)3
      MATH 2134Calculus for Business and Social Science (M1 900-B)4
      MATH 2231Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (M1 900-1)5
      MATH 2232Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (M1 900-2)5
      MATH 2233Calculus and Analytic Geometry III (M1 900-3)4
      PSYCH 2280Statistics/Social & Behavioral Sciences (M1 902) 13
      SOCIO 2205Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences (M1 902) 13
      1

      Only one from these three courses may count toward overall degree requirement credit. MATH 1322 Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II may not be used to meet this requirement.

    4. Humanities and Fine Arts - 6 credits
      Select at least one course from Humanities and at least one course from Fine Arts.
      Humanities
      Chinese
      CHINE 2202Intermediate Chinese II (H1 900)4
      English
      ENGLI 1130Introduction to Literature (H3 900)3
      ENGLI 1150Short Fiction (H3 901)3
      ENGLI 1151Novel (H3 901)3
      ENGLI 1152Poetry (H3 903)3
      ENGLI 1153Drama (H3 902)3
      ENGLI 1154Film As Literature (HF 908) 13
      ENGLI 1158Bible As Literature (H5 901)3
      ENGLI 1159Greek Mythology (H9 901)3
      ENGLI 1160Native American Literature (H3 910D)3
      ENGLI 1161Multicultural Literatures of the U.S. (H3 910D)3
      ENGLI 1165Literature, Gender, and Sexualities (H3 911D)3
      ENGLI 2220British Literature to 1800 (H3 912)3
      ENGLI 2221British Literature From 1800 Through The Present (H3 913)3
      ENGLI 2223American Literature From the Colonial Period to the Civil War (H3 914)3
      ENGLI 2224American Literature From the Civil War to the Present (H3 915)3
      ENGLI 2226World Literature (H3 907)3
      ENGLI 2227Modern European Literature (H3 907)3
      ENGLI 2228Shakespeare (H3 905)3
      ENGLI 2262Non-Western Literature (H3 908N)3
      French
      FRENC 2202Intermediate French II (H1 900)4
      FRENC 2251Conversation and Composition I (H1 900)3
      FRENC 2252Conversation and Composition II (H1 900)3
      German
      GERMA 2202Intermediate German II (H1 900)4
      GERMA 2251Conversation and Composition I (H1 900)3
      GERMA 2252Conversation and Composition II (H1 900)3
      History
      HISTO 1110Foundations of the European World (H2 901)3
      HISTO 1120Europe in the Modern World (H2 902)3
      HISTO 1160World Civilization Since 1300 (H2 907)3
      HISTO 2205History of Asia (H2 903N)3
      HISTO 2220History and Culture of China (H2 903N)3
      HISTO 2225History and Culture of Russia (H2 908)3
      HISTO 2230History and Culture of Japan (H2 908)3
      HISTO 223520th Century World History (H2 903N)3
      Humanities
      HUMNT 1102Introduction to Humanities: Ideas and Values (H9 900)3
      HUMNT 1103Introduction to World Mythology (H9 901)3
      HUMNT 1104Women in Arts: Cultural and Artistic Expressions of Gender (HF 907D)3
      HUMNT 1105Humanities Beyond the U.S. & Europe (HF 904N) 13
      HUMNT 1110The Arts and Cultural Diversity (HF 906D) 13
      HUMNT 1120Introduction to Medical Humanities (H9 900)3
      HUMNT 1150Intersections of Humanities, Math, And Science (H9 900)3
      Italian
      ITALI 2202Intermediate Italian II (H1 900)4
      Japanese
      JAPAN 2202Intermediate Japanese II (H1 900)4
      Korean
      KOREA 2202Intermediate Korean II (H1 900)4
      Philosophy
      PHILO 1100Introduction to Philosophy (H4 900)3
      PHILO 1110Ethics (H4 904)3
      PHILO 1116Environmental Ethics (H4 904)3
      PHILO 1120Logic (H4 906)3
      PHILO 1125Critical Thinking (H4 906)3
      PHILO 1150World Religions (H5 904N)3
      PHILO 2010Ancient Philosophy (H4 901)3
      PHILO 2011Early Modern Philosophy (H4 902)3
      PHILO 2150Philosophy of Religion (H4 905)3
      Religious Studies
      RELIG 1100Introduction to Religion (H5 900)3
      RELIG 1110Introuction to the Bible (old Testament) (H5 901)3
      RELIG 1120Introduction to the Bible (New Testament) (H5 901)3
      RELIG 1150World Religions (H5 904N)3
      RELIG 2160Judaism, Christianity and Islam (H5 901)3
      RELIG 2155Asian Thought (H4 903N)3
      Russian
      RUSSI 2202Intermediate Russian II (H1 900)4
      Spanish
      SPANI 2202Intermediate Spanish II (H1 900)4
      SPANI 2206Spanish for Heritage Speakers I (H1 900)4
      SPANI 2208Spanish for Heritage Speakers II (H1 900)4
      SPANI 2251Conversation and Composition I (H1 900)3
      SPANI 2252Conversation and Composition II (H1 900)3

      Fine Arts

      Art
      ART 1100Introduction to Visual Art and Culture (F2 900)3
      ART 2211Art Histories Before 1400 CE (F2 901)3
      ART 2212Art Histories 1400 to 1950 (F2 902)3
      ART 2213Art Histories Since 1950 (F2 902)3
      ART 2214Non-Western Art (F2 903N)3
      English
      ENGLI 1135Introduction to Film Art (F2 908)3
      ENGLI 1154Film As Literature (HF 908) 13
      Humanities
      HUMNT 1101Introduction to Humanities: The Arts (F9 900)3
      HUMNT 1104Women in Arts: Cultural and Artistic Expressions of Gender (HF 907D)3
      HUMNT 1105Humanities Beyond the U.S. & Europe (HF 904N) 13
      HUMNT 1110The Arts and Cultural Diversity (HF 906D) 13
      Theater
      THEAT 1100Theater Appreciation (F1 907)3
      1

      Interdisciplinary credit may be earned as either Fine Arts or Humanities. No Music courses may fulfill this requirement.

    5. Social and Behavioral Sciences - 3 credits
      Anthropology
      ANTHR 1000Introduction to Anthropology (S1 900N)3
      ANTHR 1100Cultural Anthropology (S1 901N)3
      ANTHR 1105Practical Anthropology (S1 904D)3
      ANTHR 1130People and Cultures of the World (S1 904D)3
      ANTHR 1200Discovering Archaeology (S1 903)3
      ANTHR 1400Race, Sex and Human Evolution (S1 902)3
      Economics
      ECONO 2200Principles of Economics (S3 900)3
      ECONO 2201Macroeconomics and the Global Economy (S3 901)3
      ECONO 2202Microeconomics and the Global Economy (S3 902)3
      Geography
      GEOGR 1100Western World Geography (S4 901)3
      GEOGR 1105Eastern World Geography (S4 902N)3
      GEOGR 1120Economic Geography (S4 903N)3
      GEOGR 1130Cultural Geography (S4 900N)3
      History
      HISTO 1130History of the United States to 1865 (S2 900)3
      HISTO 1140History of the United States Since 1865 (S2 901)3
      HISTO 2210History and Culture of Africa (S2 907N)3
      HISTO 2215History and Culture of South Asia (S2 916N)3
      HISTO 2260United States History Since 1945 (S2 901)3
      Political Science
      POLS 1100Introduction to Political Science (S5 903)3
      POLS 1101American Politics (S5 900)3
      POLS 1105State and Local Politics (S5 902)3
      POLS 2203Comparative Politics (S5 905)3
      POLS 2220World Politics (S5 904N)3
      Psychology
      PSYCH 1100General Psychology (S6 900)3
      PSYCH 2230Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence (S6 903)3
      PSYCH 2233Developmental Psychology: Adolescence (S6 904)3
      PSYCH 2235Developmental Psychology: Adulthood (S6 905)3
      PSYCH 2237Developmental Psychology: The Life Span (S6 902)3
      PSYCH 2240Social Psychology (S8 900)3
      Sociology
      SOCIO 1100Introduction to Sociology (S7 900)3
      SOCIO 1120Sociology of Sex, Gender and Power (S7 904D)3
      SOCIO 2210Social Problems (S7 901)3
      SOCIO 2215Racial and Ethnic Relations (S7 903D)3
      SOCIO 2220Sexual Relationships, Marriage & Family (S7 902)3
  3. Fulfill these requirements in the categories specified.
    1. Complete one course from the Human Relations category.
    2. Complete one course from the Contemporary Life Skills or Global/Multicultural Studies category. 
  4. Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 35 credits in Music requirements as specified below:
    1. Music Core Courses - 20 credits
      MUSIC 1101Music Theory I3
      MUSIC 1107Aural Skills I1
      MUSIC 1171Class Piano I1
      MUSIC 1102Music Theory II3
      MUSIC 1108Aural Skills II1
      MUSIC 1172Class Piano II1
      MUSIC 2201Music Theory III3
      MUSIC 2207Aural Skills III1
      MUSIC 2271Class Piano III1
      MUSIC 2202Music Theory IV3
      MUSIC 2208Aural Skills IV1
      MUSIC 2272Class Piano IV1
    2. Music Literature/History Course - 3 credits
      MUSIC 1105Music Literature3
    3. Music Ensemble Courses - 4 credits
      MUSIC 1120College of DuPage Concert Choir1
      MUSIC 1125College of DuPage Jazz Choir1
      MUSIC 1130College of DuPage Chamber Singers1
      MUSIC 1140Symphony Orchestra1
      MUSIC 1141Chamber Orchestra1
      MUSIC 1150DuPage Chorale1
      MUSIC 1180Community Band1
      MUSIC 1181DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble1
      MUSIC 1190Small Group Jazz Ensemble1
      MUSIC 1192Percussion Ensemble1
      MUSIC 1193Guitar Ensemble1
    4. Applied Instruction Courses - 8 credits
      MUSIC 1185Applied Music Ii: Music Major (Private music lessons I to IV. Take one course each term for a total of 8 credits.)8
  5. Complete all requirements for all associate degrees, including a minimum of 64 credits for the A.F.A.
  6. Earn no more than six credits in History in the Humanities and Fine Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences categories combined for general education credit. Additional credits in History from general education or other categories may be earned as elective credit.
  7. Earn no credit with a satisfactory/fail grade option.
  8. Earn no more than 42 credits for the Communication, Physical and Life Sciences, Mathematics, Humanities and Fine Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences categories by demonstrated competence through the Advanced Placement Program (AP), designated course-specific subject examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and the College of DuPage Proficiency Through an Instructor Program.
  9. Show keyboard competence through one of the following options: Complete either MUSIC 2272 Class Piano IV, complete four semesters of MUSIC 1185 Applied Music Ii: Music Major on piano, or show keyboard proficiency by demonstrated competence through the College of DuPage Proficiency Through an Instructor Program. See a Music advisor for further information.

Notes: Although designed to meet transfer requirements, the A.F.A. degree does not complete the requirements of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Education Core Curriculum or lower division general education requirements at participating colleges/universities.

Students will need to fulfill the General Education requirements of the college/university to which they transfer. Completion of the A.F.A. does not guarantee admission either to a baccalaureate program or to upper division music courses. Students may be required to demonstrate their skill level through audit, placement test, audition or review of student recordings. Students are encouraged to complete the A.F.A. degree prior to transferring.

Suggested Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredits
MUSIC 1101 Music Theory I 3
MUSIC 1107 Aural Skills I 1
MUSIC 1171 Class Piano I 1
MUSIC 14XX: Applied Lesson 2
MUSIC 11XX: Music Ensemble 1
ENGLI 1101 English Composition I 3
MATH 1218 General Education Mathematics (MATH 1218 is a suggestion, but students may choose another option based on personal interest, abilities, and transfer goals.) 3
 Credits14
Second Semester
MUSIC 1102 Music Theory II 3
MUSIC 1108 Aural Skills II 1
MUSIC 1172 Class Piano II 1
MUSIC 14XX: Applied Lesson 2
MUSIC 11XX: Music Ensemble 1
ENGLI 1102 English Composition II 3
GEN ED: Physical & Life Sciences 1 3-5
 Credits14-16
Summer Semester
GEN ED: Physical & Life Sciences 2 3-5
 Credits3-5
Third Semester
MUSIC 2201 Music Theory III 3
MUSIC 2207 Aural Skills III 1
MUSIC 2271 Class Piano III 1
MUSIC 14XX: Applied Lesson 2
MUSIC 11XX: Music Ensemble 1
SPEEC 1100 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
GEN ED: Humanities/Fine Arts 3 3
GEN ED: Social & Behavioral Sciences 4 3
 Credits17
Fourth Semester
MUSIC 2202 Music Theory IV 3
MUSIC 2208 Aural Skills IV 1
MUSIC 2272 Class Piano IV 1
MUSIC 14XX: Applied Lesson 2
MUSIC 11XX: Music Ensemble 1
MUSIC 1105 Music Literature 3
GEN ED: General Education 3 3
 Credits14
 Total Credits62-66
1

Students should take a science course this term. Select one course from Life Sciences and one course from Physical Sciences for a degree total of 7-10 credits. At least one course (in the degree) must have a laboratory component.

2

Students could take a science course during the summer semester reducing course load in semesters 3 and 4. Select one course from Life Sciences and one course from Physical Sciences for a degree total of 7-10 credits. At least one course must have a laboratory component.

3

Students should take a 3 credit Humanities/Fine Arts course (NOT a MUSIC course) based on personal interest, abilities, and transfer goals for a degree total of 6 credits.

4

Students should take a 3 credit Social/Behavioral Sciences course based on personal interest, abilities, and transfer goals for a degree total of 3 credits.

Program Milestones

First Semester

  • Consider joining or visiting with a professional, cultural or interest-based Student Club.

Second Semester

  • If you have not done so yet this semester, it is important to make an appointment with a Faculty or Program Advisor to discuss your future academic progress.