BM in Music with Emphasis in Music Theory
Degree Program Description
The Bachelor of Music (BM) degree with an emphasis in Music Theory is designed to provide students with a broad survey of approaches of how one might think about music. Following completion of this degree, the student might use this knowledge to tutor music theory, use it as the foundation for teaching AP music theory in high school, work in the larger music industry, or pursue further study at the graduate level.
Music majors that wish to pursue a BM in Music Theory are encouraged to apply for a BA in Music but follow the degree plan for a BM in Music Theory. At the end of their second year, students should apply to enter the music theory program no later than April 1 by contacting the coordinator of the music theory area and arranging an interview to review previous course work and discuss future interests.
Major Program Requirements
The program requires 120 credit hours including courses in music theory, music history, studio instruction, and ensembles.
In addition to the list of required courses below for the emphasis in Music Theory, students must complete the Bachelor of Music, 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.
| MUS_GENL 1091 | Recital Attendance for Undergraduate Music Majors (7 satisfactory semesters) | 0 |
| MUS_APMS 1435 | Studio Instruction for Majors (secondary instr. total of 4 credit hours) | 1 |
| MUS_APMS 2455 | Studio Instruction (Major instr. total of 8 credit hours) | 1-5 |
| MUS_APMS 3455 | Studio Instruction (total of 8 credit hours) | 1-3 |
| MUS_ENS 1841 | Instrumental Ensemble (total of 8 credit hours) | 0-1 |
| or MUS_ENS 1842 | Choral Ensemble | |
| MUS_THRY 1220 | Tonal Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 1221 | Tonal Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 1230 | Aural Training and Sight Singing I | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 1231 | Aural Training and Sight Singing II | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2215 | Composition I | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2216 | Composition II | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2220 | Tonal Music Theory III | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2221 | Tonal Music Theory IV | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2230 | Aural Training and Sight Singing III | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2231 | Aural Training and Sight Singing IV | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 4220 | Post-Tonal Music Theory | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 4224 | Counterpoint | 3 |
| MUS_THRY 4226 | Instrumentation | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 3xxx/4xxx | Music Theory Electives | 6 |
| 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_H_LI 43xx | Music History Electives | 6 |
| MUS_I_VT 1610 | Group Piano for Music Majors I | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 1611 | Group Piano for Music Majors II | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2610 | Group Piano for Music Majors III | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2611 | Group Piano for Music Majors IV | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2631 | Basic Conducting and Score Reading | 2 |
| MUS_GENL 4510, 4512, or 4516 | Entrepreneurship Elective | 3 |
| MUS_GENL 3085 | Problems in Music (Capstone) | 2 |
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_I_VT 1610 | 1 | MUS_I_VT 1611 | 1 |
| MUS_GENL 1091 (Section 3) | 0 | MUS_H_LI 1338 | 2 |
| Non-Music Courses | 6 | MUS_GENL 1091 | 0 |
| Non-Music Courses | 6 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| 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_THRY 2221 | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2230 | 2 | MUS_THRY 2231 | 2 |
| MUS_I_VT 2610 | 1 | MUS_I_VT 2611 | 1 |
| MUS_H_LI 2307 | 2 | MUS_I_VT 2631 | 2 |
| MUS_GENL 1091 | 0 | MUS_H_LI 2308 | 2 |
| Non-Music Courses | 6 | MUS_GENL 1091 | 0 |
| Non-Music Courses | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MUS_APMS 3455 | 2 | MUS_APMS 3455 | 2 |
| MUS_APMS 1435 (Secondary Instrument) | 2 | MUS_APMS 1435 (Secondary Instrument) | 2 |
| MUS_ENS 1841 or 1842 | 1 | MUS_ENS 1841 or 1842 | 1 |
| MUS_THRY 4224W | 3 | MUS_THRY 4220 | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2215 | 2 | MUS_THRY 2216 | 2 |
| Music Theory 3xxx/4xxx Elective | 2 | Music History 43xx Elective | 3 |
| MUS_GENL 1091 | 0 | MUS_GENL 1091 | 0 |
| Entrepreneurship Elective (MUS_GENL 4510, 4512, or 4516) | 3 | Non-Music Courses | 3 |
| Non-Music Courses | 3 | ||
| 18 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MUS_APMS 3455 | 2 | MUS_APMS 3455 | 2 |
| MUS_ENS 1841 or 1842 | 1 | MUS_ENS 1841 or 1842 | 1 |
| MUS_THRY 4226 | 2 | Music Theory 3xxx/4xxx Elective | 2 |
| Music Theory 3xxx/4xxx Elective | 2 | Music History 43xx Elective | 3 |
| MUS_GENL 1091 | 0 | MUS_GENL 3085 (Capstone) | 2 |
| Non-Music Courses | 6 | Non-Music Courses | 3 |
| 13 | 13 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
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.