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BA in Music

Degree Program Description

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music requires a reduced number of courses within music than in the professionally-oriented BM degree, thereby making more hours available for non-music courses. The degree does, however, require a well-rounded set of courses that provide a solid musical foundation. In addition, the student has the flexibility to pursue a secondary area of interest. Most students pursuing a double major (music and another field) choose the BA degree. Students who wish to continue their study of music at the graduate level should choose the BM degree that is aligned with their interest.

Major Program Requirements

Students who elect to earn a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music will complete a general, liberal arts degree with a strong music emphasis. Students must also complete all degree, college and university graduation requirements, including Arts & Science Foundation Requirements. The degree is a program of 120 credit hours.  

Courses completed in the D range may not fulfill music course requirements without the approval of the advisor and the dean, and the student must achieve an overall average of at least C (2.0) in all of the courses attempted in the School of Music. Academic music electives must be chosen from Instrumental and Vocal Repertory, Instrumental and Vocal Techniques, Music History and Literature, or Music Theory courses. General music electives may be drawn from any music course except for those listed as Music Courses for Non-Majors. It is recommended that students who are not piano players take Group Piano for Music Majors, especially for students that may consider switching to a BM degree. If a student chooses a Senior Recital as a capstone experience, concurrent enrollment in MUS_APMS 3455 is required.

In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.

Major Core Requirements
MUS_APMS 2455Studio Instruction (Total of 8 credit hours)8
MUS_ENS 1841Instrumental Ensemble4
or MUS_ENS 1842 Choral Ensemble
MUS_THRY 1230Aural Training and Sight Singing I2
MUS_THRY 1231Aural Training and Sight Singing II2
MUS_THRY 1220Tonal Music Theory I2
MUS_THRY 1221Tonal Music Theory II2
MUS_THRY 2220Tonal Music Theory III2
MUS_H_LI 1338Music and Culture2
MUS_H_LI 2307History of Western Music I2
MUS_H_LI 2308History of Western Music II2
MUS_APMS 4970Senior Recital (capstone)1
or MUS_GENL 3085 Problems in Music
3000–4000 level WI Course in Music3
MUS_THRY, MUS_H_LI, MUS_I_VR, or MUS_I_VTAcademic Music Electives5
Music Electives (any music course except courses for non-majors)3
MUS_GENL 1091Recital Attendance for Undergraduate Music Majors (5 semesters)0
Total Credits40

Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 24552MUS_APMS 24552
MUS_ENS 1841 or 18421MUS_ENS 1841 or 18421
MUS_THRY 12202MUS_THRY 12212
MUS_THRY 12302MUS_THRY 12312
MUS_GENL 1091Section 30MUS_H_LI 13382
Electives and non-music courses8MUS_GENL 10910
 Electives and non-music courses6
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 24552MUS_APMS 24552
MUS_ENS 1841 or 18421MUS_ENS 1841 or 18421
MUS_THRY 22202MUS_H_LI 23082
MUS_H_LI 23072MUS_GENL 10910
MUS_GENL 10910Electives and non-music courses10
Electives and non-music courses8 
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_GENL 3085 or MUS_APMS 4970 (section 2) (Capstone)1Electives and non-music courses15
MUS_GENL 10910 
Electives and non-music courses14 
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Electives and non-music courses15Electives and non-music courses15
 15 15
Total Credits: 120

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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