Music Major

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BA degree

Requirements

Music (BA) is a 120 credit, four-year program of study.

For Music Education Licensure requirements, see further below.

First Year

First Semester: 14 credits

MUS 1XX Ensemble - 1 credit

MUS 128 - Digital Notation Credits: 1
MUS 171 - Music Theory I Credits: 3
MUS 109 - Music Skills I Credits: 1
MUS 165 - Class Piano I Credits: 1
MUS 151 - Applied Instrumental Studies I Credits: 1
or
MUS 149 - Applied Vocal Studies I Credits: 1
MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0
ENL 101 - Critical Writing and Reading I Credits: 3
HST 103 - World Civilizations I Credits: 3

Second Semester: 16 credits

MUS 1XX Ensemble - 1 credit
The Social World - elective

MUS 223 - Electro Acoustic Music Credits: 3
MUS 172 - Music Theory II Credits: 3
MUS 110 - Music Skills II Credits: 1
MUS 166 - Class Piano II Credits: 1
MUS 152 - Applied Instrumental Studies II Credits: 1
or
MUS 150 - Applied Vocal Studies II Credits: 1
MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0
ENL 102 - Critical Writing and Reading II Credits: 3

Second Year

First Semester: 14 credits

MUS 1XX Ensemble - 1 credit
Foreign Language I - 3 credit
Free Elective - 1 credit

MUS 203 - Survey Western Music I Credits: 3
MUS 209 - Music Skills III Credits: 1
MUS 251 - Applied Instrumental Studies III Credits: 1
or
MUS 249 - Applied Vocal Studies III Credits: 1
MUS 271 - Music Theory III Credits: 3
MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0
MUS 311 - Class Jazz Piano I Credits: 1

Second Semester: 16 credits

MUS 1XX Ensemble - 1 credit
Foreign Language II - 3 credits
The Social World - 3 credits

MUS 272 - Music Theory IV Credits: 3
MUS 204 - Survey Western Music II Credits: 3
MUS 210 - Music Skills IV Credits: 1
MUS 252 - Applied Instrumental Studies IV Credits: 1
or
MUS 250 - Applied Vocal Studies IV Credits: 1
MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0
MUS 312 - Class Jazz Piano II Credits: 1

Third Year

First Semester: 16 credits

MUS 3XX Ensemble - 1 credit
Science (Natural World) - 3 credits
Free Electives - 3 credits

MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0
MUS 314 - Jazz Theory & Improv I Credits: 3
MUS 351 - Applied Instrumental Studies V Credits: 1
or
MUS 349 - Applied Vocal Studies V Credits: 1
MUS 340 - Principles of Conducting Credits: 2
MUS 342 - African-American Music History I Credits: 3

Second Semester: 14 credits

MUS 3XX Ensemble - 1 credit
Science (Engaged Community) - 3 credits
ENL XXX Literature Elective - 3 credits

MUS 315 - Jazz Theory & Improv II Credits: 3
MUS 352 - Applied Instrumental Studies VI Credits: 1
or
MUS 350 - Applied Vocal Studies VI Credits: 1
MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0
MUS 343 - African-American Music History II Credits: 3

Fourth Year

First Semester: 15 credits

MUS 3XX Ensemble - 1 credit
Free Electives - 6 credits

MUS 472 - Music in World Cultures Credits: 3
MUS 470 - International Music and Song of Africa Credits: 3
or
MUS 471 - African Dance and Song Credits: 3
MUS 451 - Applied Instrumental Studies VII Credits: 1
or
MUS 449 - Applied Vocal Studies VII Credits: 1
MUS 485 - Music Capstone I Credits: variable; 1.00 to 2.00

Second Semester: 15 credits

MUS 3XX Ensemble - 1 credit
Free Electives - 4 credits
Math Elective - 3 credits

MUS 473 - Music in World Cultures Credits: 3
MUS 361 - Small Instrmnt Ensemble Credits: 1
Required: Gamelan Ensemble
MUS 452 - Applied Instrumental Studies VIII Credits: 1
or
MUS 450 - Applied Vocal Studies VIII Credits: 1
MUS 486 - Music Capstone II Credits: 2

Total credits: 120

Music Education Licensure

The Music Department is approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to offer courses for Initial Licensure in Music Education (K-12). Reciprocal agreements allow this certification to be valid in many states in addition to Massachusetts. This program is open to all qualified baccalaureate music majors. It is also available to individuals with degrees who wish to gain certification in music education. Requirements to enter and remain active in the student teaching preparation curriculum:

Grades of B- or above in all music courses
Three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the Director of the Music Education program, and at least one other from a member of the Music faculty.
An interview with the Department Chairperson and Music Education Coordinator.
Pass the Communication and Literacy Skills Test (CLST) of the Massachusetts Test of Educator Licensure (MTEL) and the Music Content Area test of the MTEL as a prerequisite to student teaching.

Program requirements will be revised to reflect on-going developments in state regulations and educational reform.

Requirements are also listed on the CVPA website at: www.umassd.edu/cvpa/undergraduate/music/curriculum/

As part of the BA degree, students must complete six credits in a foreign language and must satisfy University Studies requirements not already embedded in the Requirements listing below. University Studies courses not listed below include three credits in Mathematics, three credits in Literature, three credits from The Social World (US Society) and six credits of Science (three in Natural World and three in Engaged Community). Additionally, students will enroll in MUS 1XX Ensemble for the first four semesters and MUS 3XX for the next four semesters for a total of eight credits in ensemble. Also, students will enroll in each of the following Instrumental/Vocal Method Courses: