Music Major

BA degree

Requirements

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

Sequence of required courses determined by odd/even entry year.

For Music Education Licensure requirements, see further below.

First Year

First Semester: 15 credits

MUS 1XX Ensemble - Credit: 1
MUS 149/151 Applied Lessons I - Credit: 1
___4A Human Questions - Credits: 3
___Free Elective - Credits: 3

MUS 128 - Digital Notation Credits: 1
MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0
MUS 472 - Music in World Cultures Credits: 3
ENL 101 - Critical Writing and Reading I Credits: 3

Second Semester: 16 credits

MUS 1XX Ensemble - Credits: 1
MUS 150/152 Applied Lessons II - Credits: 1
_______ The Social World (4B U.S. Society) - Credits: 3

MUS 109 - Music Skills I Credits: 1
MUS 165 - Class Piano I Credits: 1
MUS 171 - Music Theory I Credits: 3
MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0
MUS 342 - African-American Music History I Credits: 3
ENL 102 - Critical Writing and Reading II Credits: 3

Second Year

First Semester: 16 credits

MUS 1XX Ensemble - Credits: 1
MUS 249/251 Applied Lessons III - Credits: 1
___1D Mathmatics - Credits: 0
___ Science of Natural World (2A) - Credits: 3

MUS 166 - Class Piano II Credits: 1
MUS 172 - Music Theory II Credits: 3
MUS 223 - Creative Sound Arts Credits: 3
MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0

Second Semester: 15 credits

MUS 1XX Ensemble - Credits: 1
MUS 250/252 Applied Lessons IV - Credits: 1
___Free Electives - Credits: 2

MUS 161 - Small Instrmnt Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0
MUS 313 - Orchestration Credits: 3
ENL 200 - Studies in Literature Credits: 3

Third Year

First Semester: 15 credits

MUS 3XX Ensemble - Credits: 1
MUS 349/351 Applied Lessons V - Credits: 1
___Free Electives (Rec. MUS 397 Seminar in Theory) - Credits: 3

MUS 203 - Survey Western Music I Credits: 3
MUS 272 - Music Theory IV Credits: 3
MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0
MUS 314 - Jazz Theory & Improv I Credits: 3

Second Semester: 16 credits

MUS 3XX Ensemble - Credits: 1
MUS 350/352 Applied Lessons VI - Credits: 1
___ Free Elective - Credits: 3

MUS 204 - Survey Western Music II Credits: 3
MUS 291 - Performance Workshop Credits: 0
MUS 315 - Jazz Theory & Improv II Credits: 3
MUS 340 - Principles of Conducting Credits: 2
MUS 398 - Seminar in World Music:Topics in World Music Performance Credits: 3

Fourth Year

First Semester: 15 credits

MUS 3XX Ensemble - Credits: 1
MUS 449/451 Applied Lessons VII - Credits 1
___ The Social World (4C Global Society- Credits 3
___ Free Electives - Credits: 3
___ Free Electives - Credits 3

MUS 319 - Advanced Musical Listening Credits: 3.00
MUS 485 - Music Capstone I Credits: variable; 1.00 to 2.00

Second Semester: 12 credits

MUS 3XX Ensemble - Credits: 1
MUS 449/451 Applied Lessons VIII - Credits: 1
___ Science of Engaged Community (2B) - Credits: 3
___ Free Electives - Credits: 3
___ Free Electives - Credits: 2

MUS 485 - Music Capstone I Credits: variable; 1.00 to 2.00

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: https://www.umassd.edu/programs/music-education/

As part of the BA degree, students must satisfy University Studies requirements along with the required music courses. Additionally, students will enroll in MUS 1XX Ensemble for the first four semesters and MUS 3XX for the next three semesters for a total of seven credits in ensemble. Also, students will enroll in each of the following Instrumental/Vocal Method Courses: