Disc Jockey Techniques

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Disc Jockey Techniques program is designed to prepare students for employment as a live-performance disc jockey (DJ). This program is designed to provide the student with the technical skills required for a successful performance or production and to demonstrate an understanding of common business practices in a highly competitive and rapidly changing entertainment industry. There are Certificates of Completion (CCL) in Disk Jockey Techniques I and Disc Jockey Techniques II available.

Details

Offered At
Mesa
Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Disc Jockey Techniques (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3159
Total credits required
61-65
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Analyze the values and ethics that influence the creation of a live performance event.
  2. Develop and demonstrate the technical skills required for a successful Disc Jockey performance or production.
  3. Demonstrate interpersonal and collaborative skills to build relationships and network with clients, colleagues, and organizations.
  4. Develop opportunities for leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the music industry.
  5. Critically analyze and synthesize musical content for social, cultural, aesthetic, and historical significance.
  6. Evaluate and apply marketing strategies to build a brand (e.g., advertising, social media campaigns, public relations, interactive media, digital media).
  7. Interpret and explain intellectual property law, rights management, publishing, licensing, and contracts.
  8. Apply common business practices used in the entertainment industry.
  9. Demonstrate self-reliance, problem solving skills, and the ability to work independently.
  10. Use effective written, oral, and visual communication skills for diverse audiences and a variety of purposes.
  11. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.

Music Directors and Composers

$48,540

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:
  • Disc Jockeys, Except Radio
  • Musicians, Instrumental
 * Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2022.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC135 Introduction to Disc Jockey Techniques Critical course Gateway course 3
MUC136 Turntablism: The Art of the Scratch DJ Critical course 3
MUC137 Digital DJ Performance Techniques 3
MUC138 Disc Jockey Laboratory 1
MUC293 Self Promotion for Music 1
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC109 Music Business: Content Creation and Copyright 3
MUC197 Live Sound Reinforcement I 3
MUC139 Introduction to Emcee-Rapping Techniques 3
MHL204 Hip-Hop Music and Culture C, HU, L 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC191 Electronic Music I 3
MUC110 Music Business: Marketing and Monetization 3
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or L or SB 3
MAT112 or
MAT140 or
MAT141 or
MAT142		 Mathematical Concepts and Applications or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics OR higher level course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area None or MA or MA or MA 3–5

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HRM145 or
GBS151 or
MKT101		 Events Management or Introduction to Business or Introduction to Public Relations 3
SQ or SG Natural Sciences (SQ or SG) 4
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences 3
RE Restricted Electives 3
RE Restricted Electives 3

Restricted Electives:

Students should choose six (6) to nine (9) credits from the following list of courses to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MTC101 Introduction to Music Theory 3
MUC192 Electronic Music II 3
MUC195 or
MUC195AA		 Studio Music Recording I or Studio Music Recording I 3
MUC198 Live Sound Reinforcement II 3
MUC237 Electronic Dance Music Production 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC135 Introduction to Disc Jockey Techniques Critical course Gateway course 3
MUC136 Turntablism: The Art of the Scratch DJ Critical course 3
MUC293 Self Promotion for Music 1
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC137 Digital DJ Performance Techniques 3
MUC138 Disc Jockey Laboratory 1
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC109 Music Business: Content Creation and Copyright 3
MHL204 Hip-Hop Music and Culture C, HU, L 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
MUC110 Music Business: Marketing and Monetization 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC197 Live Sound Reinforcement I 3
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or L or SB 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC191 Electronic Music I 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT112 or
MAT140 or
MAT141 or
MAT142		 Mathematical Concepts and Applications or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics OR higher level course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area None or MA or MA or MA 3–5
HRM145 or
GBS151 or
MKT101		 Events Management or Introduction to Business or Introduction to Public Relations 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC139 Introduction to Emcee-Rapping Techniques 3
SQ or SG Natural Sciences (SQ or SG) 4

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences 3
RE Restricted Electives 3

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RE Restricted Electives 3

Restricted Electives:

Students should choose six (6) to nine (9) credits from the following list of courses to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MTC101 Introduction to Music Theory 3
MUC192 Electronic Music II 3
MUC195 or
MUC195AA		 Studio Music Recording I or Studio Music Recording I 3
MUC198 Live Sound Reinforcement II 3
MUC237 Electronic Dance Music Production 3
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=182615).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.