Music, B.A.

Music, B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree is our most flexible music program. It designed for students who have broad interests in music and at least one other academic discipline. Graduates with the B.A. have gone on to careers in the music business or to further study at the graduate level in music therapy, ethnomusicology, performance, or even professional programs in law or medicine.

To major in music, students must pass an audition in the principal performance area and take a music theory placement exam.

The B.A. in Music requires 120 total hours. It is a liberal arts degree that combines core musicianship courses with four semesters of individual lessons in your performance area. All music majors must pass a public recital in the last semester of principal applied lessons. The choice of which ensembles to use to meet the ensemble performance requirement is made by the student and their studio teacher, who also serves as their academic advisor.

To satisfy your interest in other academic areas, the B.A. program also requires a minor, second major, or an individually designed Approved Program in an academic discipline outside of music (find examples of these among the eight-semester plans listed below). The program also requires one year of foreign language study.

A Music Industry Option is available in place of a minor or second major for students who are interested in a career in the music business. It features 21 hours of business-related courses plus a semester-long internship. The internship provides valuable hands-on experience in a professional work setting such as a music retail enterprise, concert venue, or recording studio.

Learn more about minor or second major programs outside of the School of Music.