Undergraduate Degrees
Bachelor of Music
The Bachelor of Music is a professional degree in which at least 65% of its credits are in music. We offer the following concentrations in the Bachelor of Music degree:
- Composition
- Jazz Studies
- Music Education
- Music Industry
- Music Theatre
- Performance
Students audition as vocalists or instrumentalists to take lessons for 3-4 years of enrollment (depending on concentration), participate in 7-8 semesters of ensembles, and complete at least one recital in addition to focused coursework in music.
Bachelor of Arts in Music
The Bachelor of Arts in Music is a liberal arts degree in which approximately 45% of its credits are in music. The degree allows students to explore their unique interests in music and other fields. We offer the following concentrations in the Bachelor of Arts in Music:
- Music Studies
- Music Industry
For admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Music, students submit a portfolio and complete an interview. Music Industry applicants additionally submit samples of relevant work. In addition to a mix of required and elective courses in music and other subjects, students play in ensembles for four semesters and complete a capstone project guided by a faculty mentor. Students can choose to take vocal/instrumental lessons during their program by auditioning during the application process, but it is not required.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Music?
The table below compares the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees, showing which degree includes a particular item or offers it as an option, but not a requirement.
|
Bachelor of Music |
Bachelor of Arts in Music |
|
|
Lessons: |
3-4 years |
Optional |
|
Ensemble Participation: |
7-8 semester |
4 semesters (more semesters optional) |
|
Audition required for entry?: |
✓ |
No* |
|
Keyboard skills class: |
✓ |
Optional (if seats available) |
|
Music history: |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Music theory and aural skills: |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Music electives: |
0-6 credits |
0-26 credits |
|
Non-music electives: |
Optional |
4-30 credits |
|
Foreign language: |
Optional† |
✓ |
|
General education classes: |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Culminating experience: |
Recital |
Capstone Project |
|
Percentage of music coursework: |
65% |
45% |
*Audition required only to take applied lessons on an instrument or in voice
†The concentration in Vocal Performance requires a foreign language component
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