The Bachelor of Arts in Music is intended for students who wish to pursue the study of music in a liberal arts and interdisciplinary framework. It prepares students for graduate study in musicology, ethnomusicology, arts administration, or music theory and serves students who want a broad intellectual program concurrent with specialized study.
All bachelor of arts degrees require students to take a minimum of 60 credits outside of the major or discipline of the major. For the B.A. in Music, this means 60 credits from non-music courses. Music courses, even if they are not required for the B.A. in Music degree, do not fulfill this requirement. Students are recommended to take non-music courses that complement the students’ interests in music history or ethnomusicology or other topics, for example, general history, literature, philosophy, languages, anthropology, business, film studies, etc.
General education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Music
Students seeking the B.A. in Music should have a knowledge of German, French or Italian. Therefore, the three-credit general education Global Citizens Cluster requiring language proficiency at or above the 200-level must be satisfied in German, French or Italian. Students are recommended to take MUS 332 Musical Cultures of the World, as a part of their Global Citizens Cluster-global study requirement.
Additional degree information
Specific transfer requirements, proficiency requirements, applied music policies, minimum grade policy, retake course policy, are listed at General Information for all Music Programs . Requirements for lessons and studio classes are listed at Applied Music Courses .
The B.A. in Music cannot be combined as a double major with any of the B.M. degrees. The B.A. in Music may be combined with minors in Film Music and Music Technology. The B.A. in Music many not be combined with the General Music minor.
Program Learning Outcomes and Educational Effectiveness Evaluation Plans for B.A. in Music.
Students pursuing the B.A. in Music are required to:
- Demonstrate the following proficiency requirements
º Music Theory Proficiency Requirement
º Sight Singing Proficiency Requirement (if voice is primary instrument)
º Piano Proficiency Requirement
- Take jury exams at the end of each semester of applied lessons.
- Earn an overall GPA of 2.000 for all required major courses.
- Complete all courses in the major, including applied lessons, for a letter grade. The only exceptions are in information literacy classes, recitals, and studio classes (if taken).
- Pass courses with a minimum grade of “C” in all required courses in music theory, music history, music cultures, and in MUS 493 and MUS 496 .
- Complete a minimum of 25 credits from upper division courses in the major. A minimum of 5 upper-division credits taken from piano, large ensemble, or individual instruction courses.
- Complete the senior capstone requirements MUS 493A or MUS 496B and MUS 496A .
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