West Valley College offers two Associate degrees in Music:
- 70-unit Associate of Arts Degree in Music, Professional
- 60-unit Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT or AA-T)
Successful completion of the lower unit AA-T in Music guarantees admission to a CSU campus, though not necessarily of the student's choice. In addition, this degree does not guarantee acceptance into the specific program of specialty.
The higher-unit AA in Music, Professional provides a comprehensive music education in music history, piano and additional elective units in music above and beyond the music theory, musicianship, applied music and ensemble provided by the AA-T.
The Music faculty strongly recommends students pursue the 70-unit degree, which provides a complete music education, equivalent or exceeding the experience at a four-year institution. The Music faculty also recommends simultaneously applying for the 60-unit degree, the requirements of which will automatically be completed with the completion of the 70-unit degree.
Following these recommendations will give students the advantage of a comprehensive music education from the AA in Music, Professional that prepares students for transfer auditions and placement tests, with the fallback of guaranteed CSU acceptance from the AA-T.
The WVC Music Faculty urges students to take these two options from List A:
- MUSC 004B Music Theory Level 4
- MUSC 020D Musicianship Level 4
Music Appreciation is not part of most baccalaureate programs in Music. The most vital parts of the AA-T in Music are completion of four semesters each in Theory, Musicianship, Applied Music, and Major Ensemble.