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Bachelor of Musical Arts degree (B.M.A.)

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.

Available Tracks

Three tracks are available:

  • General Music Emphasis:听Students individually design an interdisciplinary liberal arts component.

  • Second Major Curriculum:听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.)

  • Emphasis in Business:听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.

Degree Overview

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.

Capstone Requirement

Students pursuing the interdisciplinary B.M.A. degree fulfill the capstone requirement by satisfactorily completing听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.

Credit Requirements

Completion of the B.M.A. degree requires a total of听36 course credits, including ensembles and lessons.

Requirements for the Class of 2028 and Beyond


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Bachelor of Musical Arts

32 Total Credits Required
17 Music Courses Required


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) 鈥 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)

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鈥擨ntroduction to Theory and Musicianship (.5) OR Music Elective (.5) if exempted by placement exam
  • MUS 111鈥擳heory I (.5)
  • MUS 112鈥擳heory II (.5)
  • MUS 211鈥擳heory III听(.75)
  • MUS 212鈥擳heory IV (.75)
  • MUS 121鈥擬usicianship I听(.75)
  • MUS 122鈥擬usicianship II听(.75)
  • MUS 221鈥擬usicianship III听(.5)
  • MUS 222鈥擬usicianship IV (.5)
  • MUS 110鈥擨ntroduction to Music Technology (.5)
  • MUS 360鈥擟onducting I (.5)
  • MUS 265鈥擧istory of Western Music I听(1)
  • MUS 266鈥擧istory of Western Music II
  • (1)MUS 390鈥擬usic 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鈥擴niversity Orchestra, 272鈥擫arge Instrumental Ensemble, 273鈥擴niversity Band, 276鈥擵ox Animae, 277鈥擟hamber Singers, or 278鈥擩azz Ensemble (2)
  • Participation every semester in residence

Instrumental

  • MUS 289A-Z鈥擟hamber Music (1.5; .25 credit per semester applicable toward degree)

Vocal

  • MUS 282鈥擬usic for the Stage (.5)

First-Year Seminar (1 Credit)

CLA Courses (9 Credits)

  • CLA Electives听(4)
  • CLA Courses in Discrete Competency (5)

Free Electives 鈥 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听Credit)

  • MUS 450鈥擲enior Seminar (1)

Other

  • Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam 鈥撎齋tudents who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed.听 Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
  • One 鈥淲鈥 certified and one 鈥淪鈥 certified course (may overlap with above requirements)
  • 1 credit in PPD course(s)鈥擟ourse(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.听 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.听
  • 2 Extended Studies Experiences
  • MUS 001鈥擟oncert Attendance is required every semester in residence.听


Bachelor of Musical Arts with a Second Major

36 Credits Required


Core Music Courses (9.5 Credits)

  • MUS 105鈥擨ntroduction to Theory and Musicianship (.5) OR Music Elective (.5) if exempted by placement exam
  • MUS 111鈥擳heory I (.5)
  • MUS 112鈥擳heory II (.5)
  • MUS 211鈥擳heory III听(.75)
  • MUS 212鈥擳heory IV (.75)
  • MUS 121鈥擬usicianship I听(.75)
  • MUS 122鈥擬usicianship II听(.75)
  • MUS 221鈥擬usicianship III听(.5)
  • MUS 222鈥擬usicianship IV (.5)
  • MUS 110鈥擨ntroduction to Music Technology (.5)
  • MUS 360鈥擟onducting I (.5)
  • MUS 265鈥擧istory of Western Music I听(1)
  • MUS 266鈥擧istory of Western Music II听(1)
  • MUS 390鈥擬usic 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鈥擴niversity Orchestra, 272鈥擫arge Instrumental Ensemble, 273鈥擴niversity Band, 276鈥擵ox Animae, 277鈥擟hamber Singers, or 278鈥擩azz Ensemble (2)

Participation every semester in residence

Instrumental

  • MUS 289A-Z鈥擟hamber Music (1.5; .25 credit per semester applicable toward degree)

Vocal

  • MUS 282鈥擬usic for the Stage (.5)

First-Year Seminar (1 Credit)

CLA Courses (10 Credits)

  • Second Major Courses/CLA Electives听(10)

Free Electives 鈥 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鈥擲enior Seminar (1)

Other

  • Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam 鈥撎齋tudents who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed.听 Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
  • One 鈥淲鈥 certified and one 鈥淪鈥 certified course (may overlap with above requirements)
  • 1 credit in PPD course(s)鈥擟ourse(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鈥擟oncert 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鈥擨ntroduction to Theory and Musicianship (.5) OR Music Elective (.5) if exempted by placement exam
  • MUS 111鈥擳heory I (.5)
  • MUS 112鈥擳heory II (.5)
  • MUS 211鈥擳heory III听(.75)
  • MUS 212鈥擳heory IV (.75)
  • MUS 121鈥擬usicianship I听(.75)
  • MUS 122鈥擬usicianship II听(.75)
  • MUS 221鈥擬usicianship III听(.5)
  • MUS 222鈥擬usicianship IV (.5)
  • MUS 110鈥擨ntroduction to Music Technology (.5)
  • MUS 360鈥擟onducting I (.5)
  • MUS 265鈥擧istory of Western Music I听(1)
  • MUS 266鈥擧istory of Western Music II听(1)
  • MUS 390鈥擬usic 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鈥擴niversity Orchestra, 272鈥擫arge Instrumental Ensemble, 273鈥擴niversity Band, 276鈥擵ox Animae, 277鈥擟hamber Singers, or 278鈥擩azz Ensemble (2)

Participation every semester in residence

Instrumental

  • MUS 289A-Z鈥擟hamber Ensembles (1.5; .25 credit per semester applicable toward degree)

Vocal

  • MUS 282鈥擬usic for the Stage (.5)

First-Year Seminar (1 Credit)

CLA Courses (7 Credits)

  • ECON 100鈥擨ntroduction to Economics听(1)
  • ECON 220鈥擨ntroduction to Financial Accounting听(1)
  • ECON 280鈥擬anagerial Accounting听(1)
  • PSY 100鈥擨ntroduction to Psychology听(1)
  • PSY 364鈥擨ndustrial and Organizational Psychology (1)
  • CLA Electives听(2)

Free Electives 鈥 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鈥擲enior Seminar (1)

Other

  • Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam 鈥撎齋tudents who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed.听 Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
  • One 鈥淲鈥 certified and one 鈥淪鈥 certified course (may overlap with above requirements)
  • 1 credit in PPD course(s)鈥擟ourse(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鈥擟oncert 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鈥擳heory I (.5)
  • MUS 112鈥擳heory II (.5)
  • MUS 211鈥擳heory III听(.75)
  • MUS 212鈥擳heory IV (.75)
  • MUS 121鈥擬usicianship I听(.75)
  • MUS 122鈥擬usicianship II听(.75)
  • MUS 221鈥擬usicianship III听(.5)
  • MUS 222鈥擬usicianship IV (.5)
  • MUS 360鈥擟onducting I (.5)
  • MUS 265鈥擧istory of Western Music I听(.75)
  • MUS 266鈥擧istory of Western Music II听(.75)
  • MUS 390鈥擬usic 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鈥擴niversity Orchestra, 272鈥擫arge Instrumental Ensemble, 273鈥擴niversity Band, 275鈥擴niversity Chorus, 276鈥擵ox Animae, 277鈥擟hamber Singers, or 278鈥擩azz Ensemble (2)

Participation every semester in residence

Instrumental

  • MUS 289A-Z鈥擟hamber Music (1.5)

Note: .25 credit per semester

Vocal

  • MUS 282鈥擬usic for the Stage, 283鈥擯erforming Opera, or 284鈥擯erforming Musical Theatre (.5) *

Note: .25 credit per semester

  • * Prior to Fall 2021: MUS 283鈥擯erforming Opera (.25) and 284鈥擯erforming Musical Theatre (.25)

CLA Electives听(4)

CLA Courses in Discrete Competency (5)

Free Electives 鈥 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听Credit)

  • MUS 450鈥擲enior Seminar (1)

Other

  • Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam 鈥撎齋tudents who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed.听 Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
  • One 鈥淲鈥 certified and one 鈥淪鈥 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.听 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.听
  • 2 Extended Studies Experiences
  • MUS 001鈥擟oncert Attendance is required every semester in residence听


Bachelor of Musical Arts with a Second Major

36 Credits Required


Core Music Courses (7.75 Credits)

  • MUS 111鈥擳heory I (.5)
  • MUS 112鈥擳heory II (.5)
  • MUS 211鈥擳heory III听(.75)
  • MUS 212鈥擳heory IV (.75)
  • MUS 121鈥擬usicianship I听(.75)
  • MUS 122鈥擬usicianship II听(.75)
  • MUS 221鈥擬usicianship III听(.5)
  • MUS 222鈥擬usicianship IV (.5)
  • MUS 360鈥擟onducting I (.5)
  • MUS 265鈥擧istory of Western Music I听(.75)
  • MUS 266鈥擧istory of Western Music II听(.75)
  • MUS 390鈥擬usic 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鈥擴niversity Orchestra, 272鈥擫arge Instrumental Ensemble, 273鈥擴niversity Band, 275鈥擴niversity Chorus, 276鈥擵ox Animae, 277鈥擟hamber Singers, or 278鈥擩azz Ensemble (2)
  • Participation every semester in residence

Instrumental

  • MUS 289A-Z鈥擟hamber Music (1.5)

Note: .25 credit per semester

Vocal

  • MUS 282鈥擬usic for the Stage, 283鈥擯erforming Opera, or 284鈥擯erforming Musical Theatre (.5)*

Note: .25 credit per semester

  • *Prior to Fall 2021: MUS 283鈥擯erforming Opera (.25) and 284鈥擯erforming Musical Theatre (.25)

First-Year Seminar (1 Credit)

CLA Courses (10 Credits)

  • Second Major Courses/CLA Electives听(10)

Free Electives 鈥 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鈥擲enior Seminar (1)

Other

  • Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam 鈥撎齋tudents who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed.听 Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
  • One 鈥淲鈥 certified and one 鈥淪鈥 certified course (may overlap with above requirements)
  • 2 Extended Studies Experiences
  • MUS 001鈥擟oncert Attendance is required every semester in residence听


Bachelor of Musical Arts with an Emphasis in Business

36 Credits Required


Core Music Courses (7.75 Credits)

  • MUS 111鈥擳heory I (.5)
  • MUS 112鈥擳heory II (.5)
  • MUS 211鈥擳heory III听(.75)
  • MUS 212鈥擳heory IV (.75)
  • MUS 121鈥擬usicianship I听(.75)
  • MUS 122鈥擬usicianship II听(.75)
  • MUS 221鈥擬usicianship III听(.5)
  • MUS 222鈥擬usicianship IV (.5)
  • MUS 360鈥擟onducting I (.5)
  • MUS 265鈥擧istory of Western Music I听(.75)
  • MUS 266鈥擧istory of Western Music II听(.75)
  • MUS 390鈥擬usic 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鈥擴niversity Orchestra, 272鈥擫arge Instrumental Ensemble, 273鈥擴niversity Band, 275鈥擴niversity Chorus, 276鈥擵ox Animae, 277鈥擟hamber Singers, or 278鈥擩azz Ensemble (2)

Participation every semester in residence

Instrumental

  • MUS 289A-Z鈥擟hamber Ensembles (1.5)

Note: .25 credit per semester

Vocal

  • MUS 282鈥擬usic for the Stage, 283鈥擯erforming Opera, or 284鈥擯erforming Musical Theatre (.5)*

Note: .25 credit per semester

  • *Prior to Fall 2021: MUS 283鈥擯erforming Opera (.25) and 284鈥擯erforming Musical Theatre (.25)

First-Year Seminar (1 Credit)

CLA Courses (7 Credits)

  • ECON 100鈥擨ntroduction to Economics听(1)
  • ECON 220鈥擨ntroduction to Financial Accounting听(1)
  • ECON 280鈥擬anagerial Accounting听(1)
  • PSY 100鈥擨ntroduction to Psychology听(1)
  • PSY 364鈥擨ndustrial and Organizational Psychology (1)

CLA Electives听(2)

Free Electives 鈥 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鈥擲enior Seminar (1)

Other

  • Completion of Piano Proficiency Exam 鈥撎齋tudents who do not complete the piano proficiency exam must enroll in class piano or lessons until the exam is passed.听 Piano classes and lessons taken prior to the completion of the exam do not count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate.
  • One 鈥淲鈥 certified and one 鈥淪鈥 certified course (may overlap with above requirements)
  • 2 Extended Studies Experiences
  • MUS 001鈥擟oncert Attendance is required every semester in residence听