Undergraduate Degrees

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Music. A Degree As Unique As You

Music BA is a truly unique and really customizable degree that prepares you for a career in music or in any number of 21st century professions. This is an interdisciplinary degree that gives you the chance to explore music from exciting and diverse perspectives including a:

Technology and Production Perspective
Business and Industry Perspective
Health & Wellness Perspective
Southwest Borderlands Perspective
Performer’s Perspective
Music Theorist’s Perspective

and many others. These are not inflexible and rigid degree paths but, rather, are examples of themes or areas of specialization that you have the opportunity to explore. You will work with your academic advisor and faculty mentor to devise a truly customized plan of study that connects a strong musical core to your chosen Perspective(s), courses from inside and outside of music, your minor, and potential second degrees or majors. Start by checking out:

Music BA: An Introduction
Music BA: Sample 4-year Plan
Music BA: Connect with Advisor

Bachelor of Music (BM) Music Education

Bachelor of Music (BM) Music Education students prepare for life as a professional music educator in the K-12 classroom. You will be entering a program with a 100% job placement record and one which is constantly evolving and adapting to meet the demands, priorities, and realities of our schools and communities. You will work closely with your faculty mentor as you equip yourself to be a responsive, adaptable, and effective teacher of music to a new generation of students.

– Sample 4-year Plan
– Sample “2+2” Plan (for Arizona transfer students)
– Explore This Major
– Connect with Advisor
– Music Education Homepage
– Connect with the Faculty Coordinator

BA Student Learning Outcomes

• Outcome 1: To identify, evaluate, and discuss the basic elements of music, including rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre, texture.
• Outcome 2: to identify, analyze, and describe a wide selection of musical literature in terms of compositional processes, aesthetic properties of style, and broader artistic and cultural forces.
• Outcome 3: To apply musical knowledge and creativity to any area of musical study beyond basic musicianship, appropriate to the individual student’s needs and interests.
• Outcome 4: To perform music in a variety of musical styles, including through the reading, analyzing, and realizing of musical notation, at levels consistent with the student’s individual goals.

BM Student Learning Outcomes

• Outcome 1: Performance: Students will demonstrate the technical skills requisite for artistic expression at the highest possible level as defined by the particular area of concentration and in solo and ensemble settings. These skills will be combined with an appropriate working knowledge of the repertory from core traditional period as well as from a cross-section of that repertory.
• Outcome 2: Musical Structure: Students will demonstrate fluency in musicianship skills and analysis through their understanding of musical forms and processes, and aural, verbal and visual analyses. Students will demonstrate this knowledge and skill in performance, scholarly, pedagogical, and compositional applications according to the requisites of the specialization.
• Outcome 3: Music Literature and History: Students will demonstrate basic knowledge of music history and literature through the present time. Students will demonstrate the ability to place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts and use that knowledge to inform pedagogical practice.
• Outcome 4: Creativity and Innovation: Students will demonstrate the ability to create derivative or original music both extemporaneously and in written form; for example, the imitation of various musical styles, improvisation on pre-existing materials, improvised dramatic interpretation, the creation of original compositions, experimentation with the various sound sources, and manipulating the common elements in non-traditional ways.
• Outcome 5: Career Preparation: Students will demonstrate the ability to use technologies current to their area of specialization and the requisite skills for professional development and entrepreneurship, and career preparation and promotion.
• Outcome 6: Compositional Process: Students will demonstrate the process of composing original works from concept to finished project by utilizing tools and techniques, and fluency with a variety of forms, styles, and notations.
• Outcome 7: Jazz: Students will demonstrate an understanding of various jazz idioms and styles in solo and ensemble settings through their ability to perform, improvise, compose, score and arrange.
• Outcome 8: Pedagogy: Students will demonstrate the fundamentals of pedagogy as required in their particular field of study.
• Outcome 9: Vocal Performance Studies: Students in vocal studies will demonstrate competencies in diction and language (English, French, German, Italian, Latin) as well as dramatic interpretive skills, physicality and stage deportment.
• Outcome 10: Music Education: Students will demonstrate knowledge of current content, philosophies, materials, technologies and curriculum development for K-12 music; students will demonstrate pedagogical content knowledge for teaching general, instrumental, and vocal music in small and large groups; Students will demonstrate the ability to function successfully in a complex, diverse, and rapidly changing educational setting including ethical and professional responsibilities to students, parents, schools, and communities.