Program Details
Music, A.F.A.
Associate of Fine ArtsNorthern Virginia Community College
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

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Applied music students: Tuition and studio fees are payable to the College. Applied proficiency requirements must be met in order for students to advance to the 200-level of applied music courses. Piano proficiency skills are required of all music majors.
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

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... |
|
College Level Information

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

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Fine Arts Degree in Music | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Fine Arts - Music | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Music (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Randolph-Macon College | Music with Education Minor for VA Teaching Licensure in Instrumental Music (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Music with Education Minor for VA Teaching Licensure in Vocal/Choral Music (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Music Major - BA (Music Performance Track) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Music (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Music Performance (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Music Instrumental Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Music Voice Performance (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Music Vocal Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Richard Bland College | Associate of Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Contemporary Musicianship and Entrepreneur Development | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Music in Music Prod/Recording Tech | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Music Major - BA (Music Education Track) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Music in Composition | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Regent University | B.M. in Classical Voice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Regent University | B.M. in Contemporary Voice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Regent University | B.M. in Songwriting | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Hollins University | BA in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BA in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BM in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BS in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Musical Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Musical Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Digital Music (Online Program) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Online |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Music in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Music in Music Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
William & Mary | Music - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BA in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in Music - Applied Piano | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in Music - Church Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in Music - General Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Music, Major in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Music, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Music, BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Music Composition-BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Music-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Music Education-BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Music Performance-BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Sound Recording Technology-BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Music Jazz Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Music Performance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Music Education/Instrumental, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Music Education/Vocal-Choral, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Guitar, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Jazz Studies, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Piano, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Strings, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Voice, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Winds and Percussion, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Film Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Photo Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts in Art | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts in Theatre/Drama | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Ferrum College | B.F.A. in Music and Theatre: Professional Stage Performance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Acting | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Arts Administration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Directing/Dramatic Literature | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Design/Technical Theater | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Musical Theater | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Theater Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Art - Art Education PK-12 BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Art Studio - Artist’s Books and Printmaking BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Art Studio - Design in Craft BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Art Studio - Painting/Drawing BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Art Studio - Photography BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Music - Piano Pedagogy Emphasis BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Music BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Music Education PK-12 - Choral Track BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Music Education PK-12 - Instrumental Track BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Performance BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Theatre - Specialist in Design and Technology BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Theatre - Specialist in Performance BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Theatre Education PK-12 BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Visual and Performing Arts: Theatre Generalist BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Art and Visual Technology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Art and Visual Technology, BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BA in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Art: Studio (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-2041.00 | Music Directors and Composers | Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-2042.00 | Musicians and Singers | Play 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 |
25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-1019.00 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other | All artists and related workers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1012.00 | Craft Artists | Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1013.00 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-4021.00 | Photographers | Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
Cost To Complete
