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.