Bachelor of Arts Degree

This is a four-year liberal arts degree with a major in music. It is intended for those who seek careers in music related fields such as music business, music merchandising, music manufacturing, music technology, private studio teaching, composition, music publishing, music management and music promotion. Students in this degree must take at least 66 non-music credits including a minor in a non-music discipline.

Music Minor

The music minor requires 24 credits, including music theory and private lessons, participation in ensembles and music electives.

Master of Music Education

The Master of Music Education degree is offered with emphases in elementary/secondary education, Suzuki talent education and studio pedagogy.

Undergraduate

It is recommended that students read more specifics about each degree program. Visit the Prospective Students web page.

Admission to the Department of Music as a major or minor is by audition. Visit the Audition Information Website.

Bachelor of Music Degree

This degree is a professional degree leading to careers in music performance, music education, music literature, or jazz studies. All students in these degree tracks begin in a probationary status and must apply later for full acceptance into the degree track of their choice.

The Applied (performance) major is designed for those students who possess a high proficiency in performance and are seeking careers as professional musicians or university teachers or both. Full admission to this major requires a special audition, normally taken at the end of the freshman year. This degree requires a minimum of 120 credits.

The Music Education majors lead to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction certification to teach General Music, Choral Music, or Instrumental Music. Full admission to the Music Education Program is through an application and interview process normally completed during the sophomore year. The Music Education degree can be completed in four years but normally takes about 5 years. Many students achieve certification in two of the above areas and a few in all three. These degrees require 130–145 credits, depending on the certification track, and more if certification is sought in two or more areas.

The Music Literature major prepares the student for graduate study in music history and literature, leading most often to a career in university teaching. It requires a minimum of 120 credits.

The Jazz Studies major is offered with two emphases: performance and composition/arranging. Full admission to the Jazz Studies major with the performance emphasis requires a special audition, normally taken at the end of the freshman year, while the composition/arranging emphasis requires the presentation of a portfolio. These majors lead most often to the careers indicated by their titles but can also lead to graduate study and a career in university teaching. They require a minimum of 120 credits.