Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree offers students a versatile liberal arts education within an extraordinary music school. By fostering intellectual and scholarly engagement in many disciplines, it is particularly well-suited for musically talented students who have additional academic interests and desire a flexible career trajectory.

The BA curriculum provides a comprehensive academic education with rigorous musical training that develops creative and intellectual habits essential for success in careers of all kinds. It encourages the creative spirit and flexibility needed in a quickly evolving global economy. Students will choose a track either from inside the School of Music (audio technology, composition, or jazz) or are encouraged to choose a minor from those offered from other departments at CSU. The various tracks allow students to tailor the degree to their particularly academic or career interests. While studying a wide range of academic disciplines, BA students receive exceptional professional training in musicianship, including private study with our artist faculty in applied music, and are able to participate fully in the musical life of the Schwob School of Music.

Career Opportunities

• Music performance
• Production
• Studio instruction
• Fields that link the degree with a minor in another field such as business, health/wellness, and tourism

Program of Study

Click on the Program Map tab to view a term-by-term guide for completing the program requirements.

Core Requirements

¹

Note: Students must complete Area B and Area D with a combined total of 15 credit hours within the following ranges. Any additional hours may be applied to Area F or beyond, depending on the program of study. Students should consult their advisors. Area B1, 3 hours; Area B2, 1-2 hours;  Area D1, 7-8 hours; Area D2, 3-4 hours.

²

ITDS 1145 Comparative Arts, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Major Requirements

¹

Students may substitute MUSA 1215 Secondary Applied Music or MUSA 1216 Secondary Applied Voice (secondary applied study) for up to three of these courses.

Students taking this option must still graduate with at least 39 hours of upper-division credits.

²

Student may substitute two semester hours in electives if one of the foreign languages is used for Area B.

³

Eleven semester hours must be at the 3000-level or above; a minor or area of concentration is recommended

⁴

At least 66 semester hours must be earned in disciplines outside of music. These hours may be earned as general education, foreign language, general electives, and courses in a minor.

Program Map

¹

Must be taken in Year 1, either Fall or Spring.

²

Take section for music majors only.

³

B2: Select 1 or 2 hours of the following courses:

ITDS 1779 Scholarship Across the Disciplines (2 cr)

LEAD 1705 Introduction to Servant Leadership (2 cr)

PERS 1506 Perspectives (1 cr; may be repeated with a different topic)

PERS 1507 Perspectives (2 cr)

⁴

Eleven (11) general elective hours must be at the 3000 level or above. You need a total of 21 general elective hours (cannot be MUSP or MUSA courses)

⁵

See advisor for Independent Study form--must be approved to create your course.

Additional Notes

This program map illustrates appropriate coursework for completing a degree within four years, provided that course grades allow for earned credit. Please consult with your advisor to determine when courses can be switched out with others and taken in a different semester or sequence than illustrated since not all courses are taught every semester.

• This map is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute a legal contract on the part of CSU since degree requirements or course offerings could change. As always, check with your advisor.
•  Students must complete "Area A " (ENGL 1101 English Composition I, ENGL 1102 English Composition II, and MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus or MATH 1131 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I) prior to reaching 30 hours and earn a "C" or higher in all three courses.
• As of Fall 2013, all undergraduate students are required each semester to meet the 2.0 institutional GPA standard for satisfactory academic progress.

Admission Requirements

Prospective music majors must demonstrate basic aptitude in a performance medium through a placement audition and interview. Specific audition requirements are listed here:  https://music.columbusstate.edu/admissions/audition-dates.php  Transfer students: Please note that placement in music courses is based on audition and testing results and not necessarily on previous college credit.

Additional Program Requirements

General Requirements

All music majors are required to attend all master classes in their major instrument and must perform at least once each semester in a recital or master class. All students enrolled in applied music must be concurrently enrolled in the major music ensemble activity that corresponds to their major instrument (Strings-Orchestra, Winds/Percussion – Wind Ensemble, Voice-Choral Ensemble).

Students must complete at least 66 semester hours in disciplines outside of music. These hours may be earned as general education requirements, foreign language, general electives, and courses in a minor.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate proficiency in applied music through the preparation for and performance of musical works that exhibit effective artistic expression.
• Students will demonstrate competency in the application of knowledge of music theory through analysis and composition.
• Students will demonstrate competency in fundamental musical knowledge and skills through analytical listening, sight-singing conducting, and functional piano skills.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of the history of western music and the ability to place music in historical/cultural/stylistic contexts through the purposeful use of evidence, insightful reasoning, and supporting details.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate skills and knowledge acquired over the course of an undergraduate education to complete a significant project that expands their knowledge in an area of interest.