This academic year, students in Kirkwood’s music program now have the opportunity to attain a full music credential which leads to an Associates of Applied Music degree (A.A.A.) following a recent articulation agreement with the University of Iowa and Coe College.
“The fully transferable two-year degree provides a more streamlined pathway to achieve a Bachelor of Music while allowing incoming music students to start their emphasis concentrating specifically on music courses upon initially entering the program,” said Dean of Arts and Humanities Jennifer Cunningham.
In previous years, music students would earn an Associates degree but spend a majority of their credit hours in general education courses instead of music, she said, creating more than the required number of credit hours for an A.A. degree.
This overage in hours ultimately led some students to experience difficulties in exceeding the maximum number of courses required to continue to receive Financial Aid, Cunningham said. Moreover, there has been a rise in matriculating students with 38 music students total and 27 in the A.A.A.
The increase in student enrollment is in part due to the dissipating COVID-19 Virus, Cunningham added, noting that the program is well above fall 2019 enrollment numbers.
Additionally, the music department is reaching out to its most recent graduates from the past few years to have their credit hours applied toward the A.A.A. if they are interested in obtaining the credential. Second-year student Emma Dickinson says she likes the program because “it perfectly sets up music education majors to transfer to a 4-year university, and it allows you to work closely with a lot of music professors who are willing to help you in your success.” Additionally she added that there are several new students now enrolled compared to last year’s music program.
Requirements for earning the A.A.A. degree include courses in music theory, applied instrumental and voice lessons, as well as anticipation in large and small ensembles such as the colleges’ concert choir, jazz bands and orchestra.
Additionally, the college offers several scholarships to all Kirkwood students regardless of their major based upon an annual audition held each spring.
Associate of Applied Arts in Music Program Facts:
27 students currently in the program
Several scholarships for this program
Previous graduates can return and earn the A.A.A.
Course work is mix of humanities, core music, and music electives
Liz is a second year Journalism and Mass Communications student who has been Creative Director and News Editor with the Communiqué. She also works at 88.3 KCCK as a Radio News Intern and the Corridor Business Journal as a Reporting Intern. After receiving her associate degree from Kirkwood, she will transfer to the University of Iowa with the 2+2 program. At Iowa, she will continue her journalism passions with the Daily Iowan newspaper and DITV. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she plans to work as a Multimedia Journalist and Reporter/News Anchor for KCCI in Des Moines or another station in Iowa.
Categories: Campus News, News
