Music Major (BA)

Program Requirements

• Total Units Required: 45
• Grade Requirement: C– or higher; Pass/No Pass grades do not count for the major.

Required Courses

Elective Courses

Students must complete 10 units of elective courses in Music, of which 3 units must be at the 3000 level or above.

Additional Information

• Courses taken Pass/No Pass and courses in which a student earns less than a C– do not fulfill the major requirements.
• A maximum of 6 credits earned via study abroad and/or transfer are allowed upon department approval.
• Music majors may take advantage of music-focused study abroad programs in Italy, Ireland, France, South Africa, or other countries upon request and approval. To learn more about these opportunities, please visit the Overseas Programs page of the Arts & Sciences website.

Becoming a Music Major

Students who plan to declare a major in music should consult with the department as early as possible. Students interested in pursuing a Music major should begin the appropriate course sequences in music theory, music history, keyboard skills, and musicianship. All Music majors must complete a senior capstone, which could take the form of a thesis, recital, lecture-demonstration, composition portfolio, or 4000-level course.

Senior Honors

Music majors are encouraged to work toward Latin Honors. To qualify, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.65 at the end of the sixth semester, complete all core Music requirements by the end of the junior year, and satisfactorily complete a senior honors capstone project, including an oral examination with a faculty committee. Project proposals are due at the end of the junior year.