The Bachelor of Musical Arts degree (B.M.A.) is an interdisciplinary music degree which requires students to develop a secondary area of emphasis outside of music. Students personally design these interdisciplinary liberal arts components through a process of individual advising with faculty members. The program culminates in a capstone experience relating studies in music to the secondary area of emphasis. As with the B.M. degree, students complete a rigorous core curriculum in theory, musicianship, music history and literature.
Three tracks are available. For the general music emphasis, students individually design an interdisciplinary liberal arts component. The second major curriculum combines the general music emphasis with another major in a liberal arts discipline. (A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required to complete the second major.) For the emphasis in business, the liberal arts curriculum combines core and career-related elective courses. Students will complete approximately half of their courses in music and half of their courses in liberal arts.
The B.M.A. degree provides an education that is more general than the B.M. degree while still emphasizing music. This degree differs from the B.A. degree in that it generally requires more music theory and history classes. The B.M.A. effectively prepares students for graduate study in music.
Students pursuing the interdisciplinary B.M.A. degree fulfill the capstone requirement by satisfactorily completing MUS 450, Senior Seminar. Students discuss a common set of readings designed to help synthesize their diverse experiences in music and complete a major research project on an approved topic, which consists of a written thesis and oral presentation.
Completion of the B.M.A. degree requires a total of 36 course credits, including ensembles and lessons.
Requirements for the Class of 2028 and Beyond
Bachelor of Musical Arts
Total Credits required: 32
Music Courses (17 credits)
Core Requirements (13 credits)
- MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP (3 CREDITS)
- MUS 140, Music Theory and Musicianship I (1 credit)
- MUS 141, Music Theory and Musicianship II (1 credit)
- Any MUS 290 or MUS 390 musicology topics course (1 credit) – fulfills the Writing in the Major requirement
- APPLIED MUSIC (4 CREDITS)
- MUS BAS-VOC Applied Music (2 credits; .5-credit lessons for four semesters on the same instrument, voice, or composition)
- Ensembles (2 credits)
- Large Ensemble (1 credit; .5-credit instrumental rotation, MUS 272, or choir with lab, MUS 276 or 277, for two consecutive semesters in an academic year participating on primary instrument)
- MUS 282 or MUS 289 Chamber Ensemble (.5 credit; two semesters)
- Additional Ensemble(s) (.5 credit)
- Additional Ensemble credit may be completed by participating in the large instrumental ensemble rotation or choir with lab (.5 credit), chamber ensemble (.25 credit), single large ensemble (.25 credit: MUS 272 B/C/D, MUS 274, MUS 276, or MUS 277), or a combination of ensembles
- MUSIC CREATION (3 CREDITS)
- Choose 3 different 200-level courses from the following:
- MUS 200, Improvisation (1 credit)
- MUS 203, Composition (1 credit)
- MUS 205, Orchestration and Film Scoring (1 credit)
- MUS 210, Digital Musicianship Through Technology (1 credit)
- Choose 3 different 200-level courses from the following:
- LEADERSHIP/INTERDISCIPLINARY (3 CREDITS)
- MUS 300, Music and the Related Arts (1 credit)
- MUS 310, Building Musical Lives and Communities (1 credit)
- MUS 450, Senior Seminar, or 454, Senior Performance/Creation Recital Capstone (1 credit)
MUSIC ELECTIVES (4 CREDITS)
One course must be at the 300- or 400-level unless a MUS 390 musicology topics course is chosen
Non-music Courses (15 credits)
Discrete Competency (5 credits)
University General Education Requirements (10 credits)
NOTE: Students must audition for the BMA - either prior to matriculation or prior to major declaration in the spring semester of their sophomore year
Requirements for the Class of 2026 and 2027
Bachelor of Musical Arts
36 CREDITS REQUIRED
CORE MUSIC COURSES (9.5 CREDITS)
MUS 105—Introduction to Theory and Musicianship (.5) OR Music Elective (.5) if exempted by placement exam
MUS 111—Theory I (.5)
MUS 112—Theory II (.5)
MUS 211—Theory III (.75)
MUS 212—Theory IV (.75)
MUS 121—Musicianship I (.75)
MUS 122—Musicianship II (.75)
MUS 221—Musicianship III (.5)
MUS 222—Musicianship IV (.5)
MUS 110—Introduction to Music Technology (.5)
MUS 360—Conducting I (.5)
MUS 265—History of Western Music I (1)
MUS 266—History of Western Music II
(1)MUS 390—Music History Topics (1)
APPLIED LESSONS (6 CREDITS)
Applied lessons on the primary instrument every semester (.5 credit for first four semesters, 1 credit for final four semesters)
ENSEMBLES (2.5-3.5 CREDITS)
MUS 271—University Orchestra, 272—Large Instrumental Ensemble, 273—University Band, 276—Vox Animae, 277—Chamber Singers, or 278—Jazz Ensemble (2)
Participation every semester in residence
INSTRUMENTAL
MUS 289A-Z—Chamber Music (1.5; .25 credit per semester applicable toward degree)
VOCAL
MUS 282—Music for the Stage (.5)
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR (1 CREDIT)
CLA COURSES (9 CREDITS)
CLA Electives (4)
CLA Courses in Discrete Competency (5)
FREE ELECTIVES – SOM OR CLA (4.25-5.25 CREDITS)
Instrumental (4.25)
Vocal (5.25)
Note: Ensemble courses (271, 272, 273, 276, 277, 278, 282, and 289) cannot be counted as electives.
CAPSTONE PROJECTS (1 CREDIT)
MUS 450—Senior Seminar (1)
OTHER
Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam – Students who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed. Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
One “W” certified and one “S” certified course (may overlap with above requirements)
1 credit in PPD course(s)—Course(s) taken to fulfill this requirement may count toward required CLA courses if taken in the CLA, and/or toward other Music requirements if taken in the SOM.
Goals and objectives for the Discrete Competence in the liberal arts curriculum (i.e., courses outside the School of Music) must be articulated in writing in conjunction with the Academic Advisor and approved by the Associate Dean of the School of Music. The goals and objectives are to be submitted to the Associate Dean by the end of the fall semester of the junior year. Two of the five courses must be at the 300-400 level.
2 Extended Studies Experiences
MUS 001—Concert Attendance is required every semester in residence.
Bachelor of Musical Arts with a Second Major
36 CREDITS REQUIRED
CORE MUSIC COURSES (9.5 CREDITS)
MUS 105—Introduction to Theory and Musicianship (.5) OR Music Elective (.5) if exempted by placement exam
MUS 111—Theory I (.5)
MUS 112—Theory II (.5)
MUS 211—Theory III (.75)
MUS 212—Theory IV (.75)
MUS 121—Musicianship I (.75)
MUS 122—Musicianship II (.75)
MUS 221—Musicianship III (.5)
MUS 222—Musicianship IV (.5)
MUS 110—Introduction to Music Technology (.5)
MUS 360—Conducting I (.5)
MUS 265—History of Western Music I (1)
MUS 266—History of Western Music II (1)
MUS 390—Music History Topics (1)
APPLIED LESSONS (6 CREDITS)
Applied lessons on the primary instrument every semester (.5 credit for first four semesters, 1 credit for final four semesters)
ENSEMBLES (2.5-3.5 CREDITS)
MUS 271—University Orchestra, 272—Large Instrumental Ensemble, 273—University Band, 276—Vox Animae, 277—Chamber Singers, or 278—Jazz Ensemble (2)
Participation every semester in residence
INSTRUMENTAL
MUS 289A-Z—Chamber Music (1.5; .25 credit per semester applicable toward degree)
VOCAL
MUS 282—Music for the Stage (.5)
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR (1 CREDIT)
CLA COURSES (10 CREDITS)
Second Major Courses/CLA Electives (10)
FREE ELECTIVES – SOM OR CLA (3.25-4.25 CREDITS)
Instrumental (3.25)
Vocal (4.25)
Note: Ensemble courses (271, 272, 273, 276, 277, 278, 282, and 289) cannot be counted as electives.
CAPSTONE PROJECTS (1 CREDIT)
MUS 450—Senior Seminar (1)
OTHER
Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam – Students who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed. Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
One “W” certified and one “S” certified course (may overlap with above requirements)
1 credit in PPD course(s)—Course(s) taken to fulfill this requirement may count toward required CLA courses if taken in the CLA, and/or toward other Music requirements if taken in the SOM.
2 Extended Studies Experiences
MUS 001—Concert Attendance is required every semester in residence.
BACHELOR OF MUSICAL ARTS WITH AN EMPHASIS IN BUSINESS
36 CREDITS REQUIRED
CORE MUSIC COURSES (9.5 CREDITS)
MUS 105—Introduction to Theory and Musicianship (.5) OR Music Elective (.5) if exempted by placement exam
MUS 111—Theory I (.5)
MUS 112—Theory II (.5)
MUS 211—Theory III (.75)
MUS 212—Theory IV (.75)
MUS 121—Musicianship I (.75)
MUS 122—Musicianship II (.75)
MUS 221—Musicianship III (.5)
MUS 222—Musicianship IV (.5)
MUS 110—Introduction to Music Technology (.5)
MUS 360—Conducting I (.5)
MUS 265—History of Western Music I (1)
MUS 266—History of Western Music II (1)
MUS 390—Music History Topics (1)
APPLIED LESSONS (6 CREDITS)
Applied lessons on the primary instrument every semester (.5 credit for first four semesters, 1 credit for final four semesters)
ENSEMBLES (2.5-3.5 CREDITS)
MUS 271—University Orchestra, 272—Large Instrumental Ensemble, 273—University Band, 276—Vox Animae, 277—Chamber Singers, or 278—Jazz Ensemble (2)
Participation every semester in residence
INSTRUMENTAL
MUS 289A-Z—Chamber Ensembles (1.5; .25 credit per semester applicable toward degree)
VOCAL
MUS 282—Music for the Stage (.5)
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR (1 CREDIT)
CLA COURSES (7 CREDITS)
ECON 100—Introduction to Economics (1)
ECON 220—Introduction to Financial Accounting (1)
ECON 280—Managerial Accounting (1)
PSY 100—Introduction to Psychology (1)
PSY 364—Industrial and Organizational Psychology (1)
CLA Electives (2)
FREE ELECTIVES – SOM OR CLA (1.25-2.25 CREDITS)
Instrumental (1.25)
Vocal (2.25)
Note: Ensemble courses (271, 272, 273, 276, 277, 278, 282, and 289) cannot be counted as electives.
CAREER-RELATED ELECTIVES (5 CREDITS)
At least 4 credits must be in the College of Liberal Arts
CAPSTONE PROJECTS (1 CREDIT)
MUS 450—Senior Seminar (1)
OTHER
Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam – Students who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed. Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
One “W” certified and one “S” certified course (may overlap with above requirements)
1 credit in PPD course(s)—Course(s) taken to fulfill this requirement may count toward required CLA courses if taken in the CLA, and/or toward other Music requirements if taken in the SOM.
2 Extended Studies Experiences
MUS 001—Concert Attendance is required every semester in residence.
Requirements for Class of 2025 and Earlier
Bachelor of Musical Arts
36 CREDITS REQUIRED
CORE MUSIC COURSES (7.75 CREDITS)
MUS 111—Theory I (.5)
MUS 112—Theory II (.5)
MUS 211—Theory III (.75)
MUS 212—Theory IV (.75)
MUS 121—Musicianship I (.75)
MUS 122—Musicianship II (.75)
MUS 221—Musicianship III (.5)
MUS 222—Musicianship IV (.5)
MUS 360—Conducting I (.5)
MUS 265—History of Western Music I (.75)
MUS 266—History of Western Music II (.75)
MUS 390—Music History Topics (.75)
APPLIED LESSONS (6 CREDITS)
Applied lessons on the primary instrument every semester (.5 credit for first four semesters, 1 credit for final four semesters)
ENSEMBLES (2.5-3.5 CREDITS)
MUS 271—University Orchestra, 272—Large Instrumental Ensemble, 273—University Band, 275—University Chorus, 276—Vox Animae, 277—Chamber Singers, or 278—Jazz Ensemble (2)
Participation every semester in residence
INSTRUMENTAL
MUS 289A-Z—Chamber Music (1.5)
.25 credit per semester
VOCAL
MUS 282—Music for the Stage, 283—Performing Opera, or 284—Performing Musical Theatre (.5) *
.25 credit per semester
* Prior to Fall 2021: MUS 283—Performing Opera (.25) and 284—Performing Musical Theatre (.25)
CLA Electives (4)
CLA Courses in Discrete Competency (5)
FREE ELECTIVES – SOM OR CLA (3.5-4.5 CREDITS)
Instrumental (3.5)
Vocal (4.5)
Note: Ensemble courses (271, 272, 273, 275, 276, 277, 278, 282, 283, 284, 288, and 289) cannot be counted as electives.
CAPSTONE PROJECTS (1 CREDIT)
MUS 450—Senior Seminar (1)
OTHER
Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam – Students who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed. Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
One “W” certified and one “S” certified course (may overlap with above requirements)
Goals and objectives for the Discrete Competence in the liberal arts curriculum (i.e., courses outside the School of Music) must be articulated in writing in conjunction with the Academic Advisor and approved by the Associate Dean of the School of Music. The goals and objectives are to be submitted to the Associate Dean by the end of the fall semester of the junior year. Two of the five courses must be at the 300-400 level.
2 Extended Studies Experiences
MUS 001—Concert Attendance is required every semester in residence
Bachelor of Musical Arts with a Second Major
36 CREDITS REQUIRED
CORE MUSIC COURSES (7.75 CREDITS)
MUS 111—Theory I (.5)
MUS 112—Theory II (.5)
MUS 211—Theory III (.75)
MUS 212—Theory IV (.75)
MUS 121—Musicianship I (.75)
MUS 122—Musicianship II (.75)
MUS 221—Musicianship III (.5)
MUS 222—Musicianship IV (.5)
MUS 360—Conducting I (.5)
MUS 265—History of Western Music I (.75)
MUS 266—History of Western Music II (.75)
MUS 390—Music History Topics (.75)
APPLIED LESSONS (6 CREDITS)
Applied lessons on the primary instrument every semester (.5 credit for first four semesters, 1 credit for final four semesters)
ENSEMBLES (2.5-3.5 CREDITS)
MUS 271—University Orchestra, 272—Large Instrumental Ensemble, 273—University Band, 275—University Chorus, 276—Vox Animae, 277—Chamber Singers, or 278—Jazz Ensemble (2)
Participation every semester in residence
INSTRUMENTAL
MUS 289A-Z—Chamber Music (1.5)
.25 credit per semester
VOCAL
MUS 282—Music for the Stage, 283—Performing Opera, or 284—Performing Musical Theatre (.5)*
.25 credit per semester
*Prior to Fall 2021: MUS 283—Performing Opera (.25) and 284—Performing Musical Theatre (.25)
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR (1 CREDIT)
CLA COURSES (10 CREDITS)
Second Major Courses/CLA Electives (10)
FREE ELECTIVES – SOM OR CLA (2.5-3.5 CREDITS)
Instrumental (2.5)
Vocal (3.5)
Note: Ensemble courses (271, 272, 273, 275, 276, 277, 278, 282, 283, 284, 288, and 289) cannot be counted as electives.
CAPSTONE PROJECTS (1 CREDIT)
MUS 450—Senior Seminar (1)
OTHER
Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam – Students who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed. Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
One “W” certified and one “S” certified course (may overlap with above requirements)
2 Extended Studies Experiences
MUS 001—Concert Attendance is required every semester in residence
Bachelor of Musical Arts with an Emphasis in Business
36 CREDITS REQUIRED
CORE MUSIC COURSES (7.75 CREDITS)
MUS 111—Theory I (.5)
MUS 112—Theory II (.5)
MUS 211—Theory III (.75)
MUS 212—Theory IV (.75)
MUS 121—Musicianship I (.75)
MUS 122—Musicianship II (.75)
MUS 221—Musicianship III (.5)
MUS 222—Musicianship IV (.5)
MUS 360—Conducting I (.5)
MUS 265—History of Western Music I (.75)
MUS 266—History of Western Music II (.75)
MUS 390—Music History Topics (.75)
APPLIED LESSONS (6 CREDITS)
Applied lessons on the primary instrument every semester (.5 credit for first four semesters, 1 credit for final four semesters)
ENSEMBLES (2.5-3.5 CREDITS)
MUS 271—University Orchestra, 272—Large Instrumental Ensemble, 273—University Band, 275—University Chorus, 276—Vox Animae, 277—Chamber Singers, or 278—Jazz Ensemble (2)
Participation every semester in residence
INSTRUMENTAL
MUS 289A-Z—Chamber Ensembles (1.5)
.25 credit per semester
VOCAL
MUS 282—Music for the Stage, 283—Performing Opera, or 284—Performing Musical Theatre (.5)*
.25 credit per semester
*Prior to Fall 2021: MUS 283—Performing Opera (.25) and 284—Performing Musical Theatre (.25)
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR (1 CREDIT)
CLA COURSES (7 CREDITS)
ECON 100—Introduction to Economics (1)
ECON 220—Introduction to Financial Accounting (1)
ECON 280—Managerial Accounting (1)
PSY 100—Introduction to Psychology (1)
PSY 364—Industrial and Organizational Psychology (1)
CLA Electives (2)
FREE ELECTIVES – SOM OR CLA (.5-1.5 CREDITS)
Instrumental (.5)
Vocal (1.5)
Note: Ensemble courses (271, 272, 273, 275, 276, 277, 278, 282, 283, 284, 288, and 289) cannot be counted as electives.
CAREER-RELATED ELECTIVES (5 CREDITS)
At least 4 credits must be in the College of Liberal Arts
CAPSTONE PROJECTS (1 CREDIT)
MUS 450—Senior Seminar (1)
OTHER
Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam – Students who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed. Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
One “W” certified and one “S” certified course (may overlap with above requirements)
2 Extended Studies Experiences
MUS 001—Concert Attendance is required every semester in residence