Western Carolina University

Transfer Guide

Western Carolina University
Music, BM

Transfer Guide for Associate in Arts

2024-2025

Concentration(s): Commercial Music and Audio Production
Delivery Method: On-Campus

Program Admission Notes:

Transfer students should apply to Western Carolina University at applynow.wcu.edu. A minimum 2.2 GPA is required for consideration, however, this does not guarantee admission. We recommend that you aim for an average cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on 12+ hours of college credit for competitiveness with other incoming transfer applicants.

Please note that admission to the institution does not guarantee admission to specific programs, and some programs do require a supplemental application. Check the program website at WCU.edu for supplemental application details and instructions, or reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 828.227.7317.

Contact:

Advising Center
transferadvising@wcu.edu

Revised: May, 2024

College Level Foreign Language Requirements:

No foreign language requirement for this program.

Major-Specific Course Recommendations:

Students are encouraged to build the North Carolina Community College (NCCC) course recommendations below into the associate degree to best prepare for the intended university and major.

Recommended NCCC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
MUS 112: Introduction to Jazz 3 MUS 19LS: Lib Stdy: Fine & Prfrmng Arts UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts Suggested Course, General Education
MUS 114: Introduction to World Music 3 LS P6: Lib Std: World Cultures Additional General Education Courses Suggested Course, General Education

Remaining Associate Degree Requirements:

In addition to major-specific course recommendations above, students should work with a community college advisor to select additional community college courses to fulfill the remaining associate degree requirements identified below.

Recommended NCCC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry 3 ENGL 101: Writing and Rhetoric English Composition General Education
ENG 112: Writing/Research in the Disc 3 ENGL 202: Writing and Critical Inquiry English Composition General Education
COM 231: Public Speaking 3 COMM 201: Foundations of Communication UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 3 University Equivalencies UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 9 University Equivalencies UGETC Social/Behavioral Sciences General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 3 University Equivalencies UGETC Math General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 4 University Equivalencies UGETC Natural Sciences General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 11 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses General Education
ACA 122: College Transfer Success 1 ELEC 19A: Lower Level Electives Academic Transition Elective
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 14 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses Elective

Additional Information From Western Carolina University:

You MUST audition for the WCU School of Music in January in order to be accepted as a music major for the Fall.

If you can take two semesters of music theory, aural skills, class piano, large ensemble, and applied music lessons at your NCCC, completion of the BM degree in 4-1/2 years may be possible; if not, expect to finish at the end of your fifth year.

Immersed in state-of-the-art facilities, commercial music students gain real-world experience in music and audio production while refining performance skills in one-on-one lessons with faculty from a range of professional backgrounds.

Whether you're looking for a career in musical performance or music production, you'll gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be competitive in today’s rapidly evolving music industry.

The Commercial Music and Audio Production program requires six semesters of individual lessons in your performance area and six semesters of major ensembles, along with courses in performance skills, music theory, and history.

An optional internship program provides an opportunity to earn college credit while working in a professional commercial music setting.

CMAP students must earn and maintain a 2.75 grade-point average.

To major in music, students must pass an audition in the principal performance area and take a music aptitude examination. Based on the audition and examination, MUS 105, 108, and 118 may be required. These courses do not count toward degree requirements. If a student fails MUS 108 or MUS 118 twice, the student shall be ineligible to continue in a music program.

All music majors must pass a public recital in the last semester of principal applied lessons before a degree will be granted. Courses used to meet the large ensemble requirement must reflect the applied study area; only one will count per semester. For students in the BM program, marching band is required only in the Instrumental Music Education Concentration.

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
Music Requirements 41
  • MUS 107 - Applied Major Credits: 2, R6 (two semesters required)
  • MUS 148 - Piano Class I Credits: 1
  • MUS 149 - Piano Class II Credits: 1
  • MUS 207 - Applied Major Credits: 2, R6 (two semesters required)
  • MUS 208 - Aural Skills II Credits: 1
  • MUS 218 - Music Theory II Credits: 3
  • MUS 248 - Piano Class III Credits: 1
  • MUS 249 - Piano Class IV Credits: 1
  • MUS 303 - The World of Music Credits: 3
  • MUS 305 - Junior Recital Credits: 0
  • MUS 308 - Aural Skills III Credits: 1
  • MUS 309 - Aural Skills IV Credits: 1
  • MUS 318 - Music Theory III Credits: 3
  • MUS 319 - Music Theory IV Credits: 3
  • MUS 329 - Fundamentals of Conducting Credits: 2
  • MUS 358 - Concert Attendance Credits: 0 (six semesters required)
  • MUS 418 - Music History I Credits: 3
  • MUS 419 - Music History II Credits: 3

A minimum of six semesters of large ensembles must be taken for a total of six credit hours, chosen in consultation with the major advisor.
Commercial Music and Audio Production Concentration Requirements 28

A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for acceptance, continuation, and graduation in the Commercial Music and Audio Production concentration.

  • MUS 150 - Fundamentals of Audio Credits: 3
  • MUS 151 - Live Sound Reinforcement Credits: 2
  • MUS 181 - Introduction to MIDI/Synthesis Credits: 2
  • MUS 182 - Computer Music Notation Credits: 2
  • MUS 281 - Introduction to Digital Audio Credits: 2
  • MUS 320 - Songwriting Techniques & Analysis Credits: 3
  • MUS 378 - Survey of the Music Industry Credits: 3
  • MUS 379 - Introduction to Recording Arts Credits: 2
  • MUS 470 - Orchestration and Arranging Credits: 2
  • MUS 479 - Digital Audio Recording and Editing Credits: 3
  • MUS 474 - Capstone Credits: 1

Select one of the following five courses:

  • MUS 377 - Survey of Vocal Styles in Popular Music Credits: 2
  • MUS 383 - Post-Production Audio for Film and Television Credits: 3
  • MUS 426 - Jazz Arranging and Composing Credits: 3
  • MUS 468 - Composing for Film and Video Credits: 3
  • MUS 469 - Music in Motion Pictures Credits: 3

Commercial Music Electives (3 hours)

Choose three hours of courses not already used for the concentration (above):

  • MUS 300 - Country Music: A Cultural and Stylistic History Credits: 3
  • MUS 302 - History of Rock Music Credits: 3
  • MUS 304 - Jazz Appreciation Credits: 3
  • MUS 377 - Survey of Vocal Styles in Popular Music Credits: 2
  • MUS 383 - Post-Production Audio for Film and Television Credits: 3
  • MUS 426 - Jazz Arranging and Composing Credits: 3
  • MUS 468 - Composing for Film and Video Credits: 3
  • MUS 469 - Music in Motion Pictures Credits: 3
  • MUS 483 - Practicum in Music Credits: 1-3, R3
  • MUS 489 - Internship Credits: 3, 6, or 9, R9

Additional Performance Requirements (6 hours)

  • MUS 307 - Applied Major Credits: 2, R6 (two semesters required)
  • MUS 413 - Studies in Improvisation Credits: 1, R4 (two semesters required)
General Electives 30

To complete 120 hours, students may need to take additional General Electives (the number depends on how many Liberal Studies courses also count toward the major).