This associate in arts program prepares students for a career in the music industry. The program has an entrepreneurial focus emphasizing an industry trend requiring artists to be responsible for complete project development. The program is designed to produce well-rounded music industry professionals capable of all aspects of the music production process including recording, marketing, and distribution. The same skill-set also prepares students for careers in specialized areas of the music industry such as digital audio workstation operator, recording engineer, producer, composer, arranger, songwriter, sound designer, artist manager, distributor, and marketing representative. The DVC music industry studies major are not intended for transfer. Option 1 (DVC General Education) is advised for students who do not intend to transfer. Students may not take a pass/no pass option for major courses. Students who intend to transfer to a four-year baccalaureate program should consult with a counselor regarding specific major preparation requirements at the transfer institution of their choice. Students who intend to transfer are advised to select General Education Option 2 (IGETC) or Option 3 (CSU GE). Students must complete each of the courses required for the major with a 鈥淐鈥 grade or higher. Certain courses may satisfy both major and general education requirements; however, the units are only counted once.
Students completing the program will be able to...
A. produce recorded music projects.
B. demonstrate professional behaviors required in the music industry.
C. apply vocabulary and demonstrate processes that are used in the protection of intellectual property rights.
Possible career opportunities
Career options include: conductor, arranger, film scorer/ composer, music business/manager, music editor, music supervisor/director, songwriter, transcriber, editor (print music publishing), choir director, midi engineering, recording engineer, studio director or manager, sound designer, sound technician, and tour coordinator. Many careers require more than two years of study.
Expected July 2025
Start date
January 2025
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill Campus,
321 Golf Club Road,
PLEASANT HILL,
California,
94523, United States
Student will qualify for admission with one of the following: a high school diploma, by passing the California Certificate of Proficiency Test or General Education Development Test (GED) or be at least 18 years old and no longer enrolled in high school.
English Proficiency Tests:
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.