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. 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, students must complete all College of Arts and Science and University graduation requirements, including University general education.
Major Core Requirements
| MUS_APMS 2455 | Studio Instruction (Total of 8 credit hours) | 8 |
| MUS_ENS 1841 | Instrumental Ensemble (Total of 4 credit hours) | 1 |
| 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 1322 | Introduction to Music in the United States | 2 |
| MUS_H_LI 2307 | History of Western Music I | 2 |
| MUS_H_LI 2308 | History of Western Music II | 2 |
| MUS_GENL 3085 | Problems in Music (Capstone) | 1 |
| or MUS_APMS 4970 | Senior Recital | |
| 3000–4000 level WI Course in Music | 3 | |
| Academic Music Electives | 5 | |
| Music Electives | 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 1322 | 2 |
| Electives and non-music courses | 8-9 | MUS_GENL 1091 | 0 |
| Electives and non-music courses | 6 | ||
| 15-16 | 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 | Electives and non-music courses | 10-12 |
| Electives and non-music courses | 8-9 | ||
| 15-16 | 15-17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MUS_GENL 3085 or MUS_APMS 4970 (Capstone) | 1 | Electives and non-music courses | 15 |
| MUS_GENL 1091 | 0 | ||
| Electives and non-music courses | 14-15 | ||
| 15-16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Electives and non-music courses | 15 | Electives and non-music courses | 15 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120-125 | |||
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/.
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.
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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.
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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.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.