Music, BA
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Music
The Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music is a 120-hour degree that is designed for students who wish to pursue a music degree with curricular flexibility to complete coursework in secondary and complementary areas of study. The BA in Music requires students to select a specific area of study, called either a concentration or an "option." A concentration is listed on your academic transcript, whereas an option is an informal focus of advanced music courses and supporting (non-Music) coursework and the coursework is determined in consultation with the student's advisor. The current concentration available is music technology. Current options include music theory, composition, and various branches of musicology; or students may work with an advisor to explore alternate options not listed here (music + "your choice").
BA students work with their BA advisor to designate supplemental coursework to suit their interests and long-term goals. Students may indicate a specific area of study during the admissions process; some students may prefer to select an option after completing the first year of the music core. All BA students should designate their option by no later than the start of the spring semester of the sophomore year.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Music
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Students who wish to study voice or an instrument for credit are required to satisfy the instrumental or vocal qualifying audition designed for students outside the School of Music.
Credits earned in applied music lessons are generally considered elective.
A minimum of twelve hours of 400-level courses in Music must be taken on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
Orientation Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FAA 101 | Arts at Illinois | 1 |
| MUS 100 | First-year Seminar for Music Majors | 0 |
| Total Hours | 1 | |
Music Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Theory and Musicianship | ||
| MUS 101 | Music Theory and Practice I | 2 |
| MUS 102 | Music Theory and Practice II | 2 |
| MUS 107 | Musicianship I | 2 |
| MUS 108 | Musicianship II | 2 |
| MUS 201 | Music Theory and Practice III | 2 |
| MUS 202 | Music Theory and Practice IV | 2 |
| MUS 207 | Musicianship III | 2 |
| MUS 208 | Musicianship IV | 2 |
| Advanced Music Theory | 3 | |
| Musicology | ||
| MUS 110 | Introd Art Mus: Intl Perspect | 3 |
| MUS 313 | The History of Music I | 3 |
| MUS 314 | The History of Music II | 3 |
| Advanced Musicology | 3 | |
| Keyboard | ||
| All students must demonstrate keyboard competency when they audition, by proficiency examination when they matriculate, or by enrolling in MUS 172 and/or MUS 173. | ||
| MUS 172 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I | 2 |
| MUS 173 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II | 2 |
| Total Hours | 35 | |
Concentration / Option Coursework
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the School of Music Undergraduate Academic Advisor by the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your BA Music advisor, or the Undergraduate Academic Advisor, for assistance in completing the form.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Plan of Study: Students select a concentration or option to pursue: | ||
| Concentration in Music Technology | 18 | |
| Options in Composition, Musicology, Literature, Language, Math, etc. Option requirements: | ||
Advanced Music Electives (at least 8 hours of MUS or MUSC 400-level courses, not including ensembles) | ||
Supporting Coursework (non-Music courses, approved by advisor) | ||
| Total Hours | 18 minimum | |
Summary of Credits for the Bachelor of Arts in Music
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Orientation | 1 | |
| Music Core | 35 | |
| Concentration / Option Coursework | 18+ | |
| Electives to bring the total hours earned to 120, including a minimum of 40 credits at the 300- or 400-level. | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Music
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| FAA 101 | 1 | MUS 102 | 2 |
| MUS 100 | 0 | MUS 108 | 2 |
| MUS 101 | 2 | MUS 110 | 3 |
| MUS 107 | 2 | MUS 172 | 2 |
| Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 | Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MUS 173 | 2 | MUS 202 | 2 |
| MUS 201 | 2 | MUS 208 | 2 |
| MUS 207 | 2 | MUS 314 | 3 |
| MUS 313 | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Advanced Musicology | 3 | Advanced Music Theory | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Major Plan of Study 400-level course | 3 |
| Major Plan of Study 400-level course | 3 | Major Plan of Study 400-level course | 3 |
| Major Plan of Study Supporting Elective | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Major Plan of Study Supporting Elective | 3 | Major Plan of Study or Free Elective | 3 |
| Major Plan of Study Supporting Elective | 4 | Major Plan of Study or Free Elective | 3 |
| Major Plan of Study or Free Elective | 3 | Major Plan of Study or Free Elective | 3 |
| Major Plan of Study or Free Elective | 3 | Major Plan of Study or Free Elective | 3 |
| Major Plan of Study or Free Elective | 2 | Major Plan of Study or Free Elective | 1 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Music
Bachelor of Arts in Music graduates will:
- Understand, apply, and integrate foundational concepts of musical study in theory, aural skills, history, composition, improvisation, and keyboard competency, and do so independently and cooperatively.
- Demonstrate the ability to learn independently, make inquiries, think critically, discover solutions, and integrate knowledge across both similar and varied areas of musical study.
- Develop and demonstrate effective communication skills, including artistic self-expression, with diverse audiences through multiple media.
- Acquire a basic understanding of diverse musical systems and traditions across the world, and develop a sensitivity to and awareness of cultural and societal differences, and their contribution to an interdependent global consciousness.
- Acquire an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility as musicians and citizens, and demonstrate the ability to work professionally and effectively as leaders and collaborators.
- Acquire a basic understanding of technology and professional skills, along with knowledge of specific technological developments within area of specialization.
- Appreciate how music interacts in communities to enhance and engage social and cultural identities to enrich lifelong learning.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Music
School of Music
College of Fine & Applied Arts
Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
For admission requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Music, please see the School of Music's Admissions website or contact the Music Admissions Office: Music Admissions Office
School of Music: 1114 W. Nevada Street, Room 2014
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 244-7899
musicadmissions@illinois.edu