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. Students must audition to be admitted into the BA in Music.

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 2455	Studio Instruction (Total of 8 credit hours)	8
MUS_ENS 1841	Instrumental Ensemble	4
or MUS_ENS 1842	Choral Ensemble
MUS_THRY 1230	Aural Training and Sight Singing I	2
MUS_THRY 1231	Aural Training and Sight Singing II	2
MUS_THRY 1220	Tonal Music Theory I	2
MUS_THRY 1221	Tonal Music Theory II	2
MUS_THRY 2220	Tonal Music Theory III	2
MUS_H_LI 1338	Music and Culture	2
MUS_H_LI 2307	History of Western Music I	2
MUS_H_LI 2308	History of Western Music II	2
MUS_APMS 4970	Senior Recital (capstone)	1
or MUS_GENL 3085	Problems in Music
3000–4000 level WI Course in Music		3
MUS_THRY, MUS_H_LI, MUS_I_VR, or MUS_I_VT	Academic Music Electives	5
Music Electives (any music course except courses for non-majors)		3
MUS_GENL 1091	Recital Attendance for Undergraduate Music Majors (5 semesters)	0
Total Credits		40

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
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
MUS_APMS 2455	2	MUS_APMS 2455	2
MUS_ENS 1841 or 1842	1	MUS_ENS 1841 or 1842	1
MUS_THRY 1220	2	MUS_THRY 1221	2
MUS_THRY 1230	2	MUS_THRY 1231	2
MUS_GENL 1091Section 3	0	MUS_H_LI 1338	2
ENGLSH 1000	3	MUS_GENL 1091	0
Second language	5	SSC 2100	1
		Second language	5
	15		15
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
MUS_APMS 2455	2	MUS_APMS 2455	2
MUS_ENS 1841 or 1842	1	MUS_ENS 1841 or 1842	1
MUS_THRY 2220	2	MUS_H_LI 2308	2
MUS_H_LI 2307	2	MUS_GENL 1091	0
MUS_GENL 1091	0	Academic music elective	2
Second language	3	MO state law requirement	3
MATH 1050, 1100, or STAT 1200	3	Lab science	5
Humanities	3
	16		15
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Music elective, 2nd major, Minor, Certificate	3	Music elective, 2nd major, Minor, Certificate	3
MUS_GENL 1091	0	Biological, Physical, or Mathematical Science	3
First writing intensive	3	Social or Behavioral Science	3
Biological, Physical, or Mathematical Science	3	Social or Behavioral Science	3
Social or Behavioral Science	3	Humanities	3
Social or Behavioral Science	3
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Music writing intensive	3	MUS_APMS 4970 or MUS_GENL 3085	1
2000+ Social or Behavioral Science	3	Academic music elective	3
2000+ Humanities Course	3	Humanities	3
Music elective, 2nd major, Minor, Certificate	3	Music elective, 2nd major, Minor, Certificate	1
Music elective, 2nd major, Minor, Certificate	3	Music elective, 2nd major, Minor, Certificate	3
		Music elective, 2nd major, Minor, Certificate	3
	15		14
Total Credits: 120