Programs of Study


Associate in Fine Arts in Music AFA

Program Description

The Associate in Fine Arts in Music (AFA) degree is designed to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs for students who wish to complete a Bachelor in Fines Arts (BFA) degree in Music, a Bachelor of Music (BM) degree, or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a major in Music. The curriculum provides General Education courses required of liberal arts students and music specialization courses required by four-year institutions.  The purpose of the AFA degree is to provide the first two years of preparation for those students interested in careers in applied music.  

The AFA degree is not part of the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) and is not uniformly transferable to all 16 state universities and colleges in the North Carolina University System.  The degree focuses on continued training in Music to enhance performance skills of students seeking competitive admission to bachelor’s degree programs. 

Upon transfer, students will still be required to meet the General Education Core requirements of the receiving college or university as well as foreign language and/or health and physical education requirements of the receiving college or university. The AFA in Music is also appropriate for students who want additional training in music for their present career, without the need to pursue a bachelor’s degree. 

Admission Criteria

Admission to this program requires that students be high school graduates or have a recognized equivalency.  

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Articulate and critique different fine art theories.
  • Demonstrate the ability to collect, interpret, and formulate conclusions from data.
  • Write and/or speak with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.
  • Demonstrate how historical, philosophical, cultural, global, and/or socioeconomic factors affect human interactions and behaviors.

Career Opportunities

  • Professional performing artist (singer, instrumentalist, etc.)
  • Music radio announcer
  • Church musician, Musical ministry, Organist
  • Musical director
  • Musicologist, Music librarian
  • Music theorist (music composer, songwriter, arranger)
  • Conductor (band director, choir director, opera conductor)
  • Audio editor
  • Communications (broadcaster, station manager, radio announcer)
  • Artistic director
  • Talent scout/Agent

Transfer Opportunities

All courses within the AFA will transfer to UNC-system schools; however, universities without BFA degrees may transfer specialized music courses as electives.

Academic advisors are the best source of information in meeting audition requirements for university programs.

Contact Information

Program Coordinator of Music
252-638-7357

Dean, Liberal Arts and University Transfer
252-638-3745

Admissions Office
252-638-7430

Degree Requirements

 

General Education Core (25-26 SHC)

Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC)

All Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) courses will transfer to any one of the 16 UNC-System universities.

Courses in this program

English Composition

6 SHC required.

Humanities/Fine Arts

6 SHC required. Select two courses from at least two different disciplines (prefixes). One must be a literature course. Select ENG courses listed here or in Additional General Education Hours below.

Social/Behavioral Sciences

6 SHC required. Select two courses from at least two different disciplines (prefixes). One must be a history course.

Mathematics

3-4 SHC required. Select one course.

Natural Sciences

4 SHC required. Select one course, including accompanying laboratory work.

Other Required Hours (35 SHC)

Courses in this program

Academic Transition

1 SHC required.

Music

25 SHC required. All AFA-Music majors are required to take Class Music I - Piano. Vocal students should also take Class Music I - Vocals.

Additional Semester Hours

9 SHC required. Select additional semester credit hours from General Education, Universal General Education Transfer Component and Elective courses which have been approved for transfer. See the complete Courses Approved for Transfer list.