Program Details
Program Details
Back to top

Program Details

Music, A.F.A.

Associate of Fine Arts
Northern Virginia Community College

This program is included in: Fast Forward

Purpose: This program is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and skills to make them competitive for admission and transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a baccalaureate degree in Music. As part of the curriculum, students will study and receive training in performance on a major instrument or voice and take courses that cover topics such as musicianship skills and analysis, music composition and improvisation, and music history and repertory. Entering students should possess a basic understanding of reading sheet music notation, as determined prior to enrollment in Music Theory I through a content review examination. Students who pursue the Music major must successfully complete a number of performances to meet program learning objectives. During the second semester of the first year, students will perform two musical selections of contrasting style (applied instruction jury). In the second year as students near graduation, they must successfully perform in a recital (capstone recital). Applied Music courses will require additional fees/studio charges.


Program Overview & Guidance
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Transfer Degree
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Northern Virginia Community College within your first year
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Related Programs & Certifications
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Certifications You Can Now Complete
CompTIA® Security+
Program Credit Requirements
Expand or Shrink Accordion
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript.
Credit for Prior Learning NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Northern Virginia Community College
College Level Information
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
43891
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
Expand or Shrink Accordion
This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Fine Arts Degree in MusicAssociateAssociate of Fine Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Fine Arts - MusicAssociateAssociate of Fine Arts2-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
Expand or Shrink Accordion
O*Net Code Name Description Parent
27-2042.00Musicians and SingersPlay one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
25-2031.00Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationTeach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Cost To Complete
Expand or Shrink Accordion