Bachelor of Music

This degree offers an excellent general education combined with rigorous training in an area of emphasis (composition, jazz studies, music education, music theory or performance). One-on-one training with world-class faculty and visiting artist/teachers and diverse performance opportunities prepare our graduates for the challenges of a career in music.

You can choose one of several areas of emphasis for your bachelor’s of music degree.

If you'd like to get started, please contact the admissions team by completing the online interest form.

Click here to view the study page for each respective area:

Composition

Composition students work in a rich academic environment dedicated to musical excellence and strong professional skills. Please note there are additional composition audition requirements along with USC and School of Music requirements if you choose to apply.

Bachelor of Music - Composition Emphasis - 128 hours total

Carolina Core
a) AIU-other than music [3 credits]
b) ARP-Two Courses from MATH 122, 141, 142, 170; PHIL 110, 111; CSCE 101 or higher, STAT 110 or higher [6 credits]
c) CMW-ENGL 101, 102 [passed with "C" or higher, 6 credits]
d) GSS-Social Sciences [3 credits]
e) GHS-Historical Thinking [3 credits]
f) GFL-Language Proficiency through 122 [0-7 credits]
g) SCI-Two courses (one with lab) from ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, MSCI, PHYS [7 credits]
h) Overlay Eligible Courses- (CMS, INF, VSR; up to two of these requirements may be met in overlay courses) [3-9 credits]
i) Electives [0-7 credits]

38 credits

Major Requirements
a) MUSC 115, 116, 117, 118, 215, 216, 217, 218 (16 credits)
b) MUSC 353, 354, 455 (9 credits)
c) Applied music courses, at least 4 semesters of 111 and 2 semesters of 311 (12 credits)
d) Music history and literature electives (3 credits)
e) MUSC 316/416, 516, 333, 336, 515, 518 or 525, 529 or 530, 540 (35 credits)
f) Ensembles, 6 semesters of major ensemble most closely related to applied area, and 1 chamber music ensemble and 1 other (8 credits)
g) Music Electives (6 credits)
h) MUSC 100 - Recital Class (5 semesters)
i) MUSC 100A
j) MUSC 100L [1 credit]

90 credits

Jazz Studies

Our jazz program fuses performance, composition and arranging into a study plan that prepares you for the professional performance world. Please note there are additional jazz audition requirements along with USC and School of Music requirements if you choose to apply.

Bachelor of Music - Jazz Studies Emphasis - 128 credits total

38 credits

Major Requirements
a) MUSC 115, 116, 117, 118, 215, 216, 217, 218 (16 credits)
b) MUSC 353, 354, 455 (9 credits)
c) Applied: MUSC 211 (8 credits), 219, 220, 411 (4 credits), 329, 330, 411z (8 credits)
d) Guitar/Bass: 111N/U (4 credits), 211z (4 credits), 219, 220, 411z (12 credits), 329, 330
e) Ensembles: Winds - (8 credits) 6 semesters of MUSC 131, 2 semesters of MUSC 132
f) Ensembles:,Rhythm - 2 semesters of MUSC 131, 2 semesters of MUSC 132, 4 semesters from 131, 132, or 130c
g) Required: MUSC 319, 320, 140, 333, 518 or 525, 520 or 524 (17 credits
h) Music Electives (7 credits)
i) MUSC 100 - Recital Class (5 semesters)
j) MUSC 100A
k) MUSC 100L (1 credit)

90 credits

Music Education

We prepare students to become the leading music instructors of tomorrow while providing significant performance opportunities and a well-rounded education.

Bachelor of Music - Music Education Emphasis - 132 hours total

Carolina Core a) AIU-must include MUSC 115 [3 credits] b) ARP-Two Courses from MATH 122, 141, 142, 170; PHIL 110, 111; CSCE 101 or higher, STAT 110 or higher [6 credits] c) CMW-ENGL 101, 102 [passed with "C" or higher, 6 credits] d) GSS-Social Sciences [3 credits] e) GHS-Historical Thinking [3 credits] f) GFL-Language Proficiency through 110 or 121 [0-7 credits] g) SCI-Two courses (one with lab) from ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, MSCI, PHYS [7 credits] h) Overlay Eligible Courses- (CMS, INF, VSR; up to two of these requirements may be met in overlay courses) [3-9 credits] i) Electives [0-7 credits]	38 credits
Music Requirements a)Applied music (primary instrument) (14 credits) b) MUSC 116, 117, 118, 215, 216, 217, 218, 353, 354, 455 (22 credits) c) Conducting: MUSC 333, Instrumental: 334 or Choral: 335 (4 credits) d) Ensembles: (8 credits) Choral: at least 7 in MUSC 125/129; Percussion/Winds: at least 3 in MUSC 123 and 3 in 124 or MUSC 133; Strings: at least 6 in MUSC 126 e) MUSC 100 - Recital Class (5 semesters) f) MUSC 100A g) MUSC 100L - (1 semester)	49 credits
Music Education Requirements (Choral) a) Secondary applied music: (8 credits) Voice: MUED 155, 156, 355, 356; Keyboard: MUED 165, 166, 265, 266 b) MUSC 278, 577 (4 credits) c) MUED 107, 359 (3 credits) d) MUED 335L, 465, 465P, 467, 467P (8 credits) OR (Percussion) a) Minor Instruments: MUED 105 and 106 (5 credits), 551, 552, 358, 360P b) MUED 155, 156 c) MUED 165 d) MUED 465, 465P or 454 e) MUED 568 OR (Strings) a) Minor Instruments: MUED 101, 104 (3 credits), 360, 551 b) MUED 155, 156 c) MUED 165 d) MUED 465, 465P or 454 e) MUED 533, 533P, 534, 534P OR (Winds) a) Minor Instruments: MUED 105 and 106 (4 credits), 551, 552, 358, 360 b) MUED 155, 156 c) MUED 165 d) MUED 465, 465P or 454 e) MUED 568	23 credits
Professional Education Requirements a) MUED 200; EDTE 201; EDFN 300; EDPY 401 b) MUED 477 (12 credits)	22 credits

Performance

One-on-one collaboration with our world-class faculty will help you to develop the skills and knowledge to become a professional musician.

Bachelor of Music - Performance Emphasis - 128 credits total

38 credits

Major Requirements
a) Primary concentration in applied music (usually 32 credits)
b) MUSC 115, 116, 117, 118, 215, 216, 217, 218 (16 credits)
c) MUSC 353, 354, 455 (9 credits)
d) Theory and literature electives, students must complete the literature course(s) in applied area when available (6 credits)
e) Ensembles (specific to each area, 8 credits)
f) Required Courses MUSC 333, MUSC 518 or 525 (5 credits)
g) Electives (13 credits; students whose primary medium is voice must complete MUSC 278, 578, 579; students must complete a pedagogy course in applied area when available)
h) MUSC 100 (5 semesters)
i) MUSC 100A
j) MUSC 100L (1 credit)

90 credits

Theory

Students often choose this degree to prepare for graduate degrees in music theory and music history.

Bachelor of Music - Theory Emphasis - 128 hours total

38 credits

Major Requirements
a) MUSC 115, 116, 117, 118, 215, 216, 217, 218 (16 credits)
b) MUSC 353, 354, 455 (9 credits)
c) Applied music courses, at least 4 semesters of 111 and 2 semesters of 311 (12 credits)
d) Music history and literature electives (6 credits)
e) MUSC 316/416, 333, 336, 515, 518, 525, 529, 530 (26 credits)
f) Ensembles, 6 semesters of major ensemble most closely related to applied area, and 1 chamber music ensemble and 1 other (8 credits)
g) Music Electives (9 credits)
h) Technology Elective (3 credits)
i) MUSC 100 - Recital Class (5 semesters)
j) MUSC 100A
k) MUSC 100L (1 credit)

90 credits

Undergraduate Handbook

More information is available about our degrees