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Academics

Music Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Music

The Bachelor of Science in Music is a liberal arts degree for students who wish to major in music, irrespective of their specific career goals. We offer a No Emphasis track,  as well as Theory/Literature, Performance, and Worship Studies emphases, with each providing solid instruction in music theory, history, and performance.

Many BS alumni have chosen professions outside of music, e.g. medicine, dentistry, law, physical therapy, radio/communication, and business. Others have entered the music profession directly or continued their education in well-respected music graduate programs.

No Emphasis
  • 44 credit hours of music coursework
  • An ideal companion for a second major or pre-professional curriculum
Theory and Literature Emphasis
  • 49 credit hours of music coursework
  • For students attracted to the academic aspects of music study
Performance Emphasis
  • 53–55 credit hours of music coursework
  • For students focused on developing their performance skills, as soloists and ensemble members
  • Students must exhibit solid preparation upon entering university
Worship Studies Emphasis
  • 55 credit hours of music coursework
  • For students preparing for a career in church music ministry
Curriculum PDFs

BS in Music—No Emphasis
BS in Music—Worship Studies Emphasis
BS in Music—Performance Emphasis
BS in Music—Theory and Literature Emphasis
B.Mus. in Music Education—Vocal/General Endorsement (Keyboard Concentration)
B.Mus. in Music Education—Vocal/General Endorsement (Voice Concentration)
B.Mus. in Music Education—Instrumental Endorsement
Music Minor

University Catalog >>

Music Major Standing

To obtain freshman standing as a music major, students must:

  1. Qualify for MUCT 111—Music Theory by taking a written music theory test.
  2. Qualify for MUPF 189—Concentration by auditioning before the music faculty. Keyboard skills are assessed for all incoming students.

Aptitude must be demonstrated through an application filed toward the end of the freshman year before the student is accepted into one of the music-major tracks. Continuation in the music program is contingent upon satisfactory progress toward a degree, measured by regular assessment checkpoints.

Bachelor of Science in Music

Core – 31–35 Hours
  • MUCT 111-112—Music Theory I, II – 6 hours
  • MUCT 121-122—Aural Theory I, II – 2 hours
  • MUCT 211-212—Music Theory III, IV – 6 hours
  • MUCT 221-222—Aural Theory III, IV – 2 hours
  • MUCT 485—Music Seminar – 1 hour
  • MUHL 218—Music Styles & Repertories – 3 hours
  • MUPF 273—Basic Conducting – 1 hour
  • MUHL 320—Music in the Middle Ages & Renaissance (W) – 2 hours
  • Select two (2) of the following courses (Theory/Literature track requires all three; Worship Studies track  requires only MUHL 321):
    • MUHL 321—Music in the Late Renaissance and Baroque (W) – 2 hours
    • MUHL 322—Classic and Romantic Music (W) – 2 hours
    • MUHL 323—Music in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries (W) – 2 hours
  • MUPF 100—Concert Attendance – 0 hours
  • MUPF 300—Concert Attendance – 0 hours
  • Appropriate MUPF Ensembles (3 hrs. must be upper division) – 6 hours
No Emphasis – 11 Hours
Required Courses
  • MUPF 189—Concentration – 4 hours
  • MUPF 389—Concentration – 3 hours
  • MUPF 489—Senior Recital – 2 hours
  • Upper Division Theory Elective – 2 hours
Theory and Literature Emphasis – 14 Hours
Required Courses
  • MUPF 189—Concentration – 4 hours
  • MUPF 389—Concentration – 4 hours
  • MUHL 489—Senior Project – 2 hours
  • Select one (1) of the following courses:
    • MUCT 313—Orchestration & Arranging – 2 hours
    • MUCT 314—Counterpoint – 2 hours
    • MUCT 315—Compositional Techniques – 2 hours
  • MUCT 413—Analysis of Musical Forms – 2 hours

Required Cognate 
  • French or German through the beginning level – 6 hours
Performance Emphasis – 26 Hours
Students are accepted into this track by audition only.
  • MUPF 189—Concentration – 6 hours
  • MUPF 389—Concentration – 6 hours
  • MUPF 489—Senior Recital – 2 hours
  • MUCT 413—Analysis of Musical Forms – 2 hours
Required Cognate
  • French or German through the beginning level – 6 hours *Voice majors may elect Italian
Piano Majors
  • MUED 316—Piano Pedagogy – 2 hours
  • MUPF 289—Accompanying – 1,1 hours
Voice Majors
  • MUED 317—Voice Pedagogy – 2 hours
  • MUPF 225-226—Singers' Diction I, II – 2, 2 hours
Organ Majors
  • MUED 318—Organ Pedagogy – 2 hours
  • MUPF 279—Service Playing – 2 hours
Orchestra/Band Instrument Majors
  • MUPF 334—Chamber Music – 1,1 hours
  • MUPF 344—Instrumental Literature – 2 hours
Worship Studies Emphasis – 30 Hours
Required Courses 
  • MUCH 216—Music in the Christian Church – 3 hours
  • MUCH 316—Church Music, Materials, and Administration – 2 hours
  • MUCH 317—Music and Worship in the Contemporary Church – 2 hours
  • MUCT 313—Orchestration and Arranging – 2 hours
  • MUPF 189—Concentration – 4 hours
  • MUPF 373—Choral Conducting – 2 hours
  • MUPF 389—Concentration – 3 hours
  • Select one (1) of the following courses:
    • MUHL 489—Senior Project – 2 hours
    • MUHL 489—Senior Recital – 2 hours
    • MUPF 489—Senior Lecture/Recital – 2 hours
Required Cognates
  • RELP 150—Introduction to Ministry – 2 hours
  • RELP 270—Interpersonal Ministry – 2 hours
Voice Majors
  • MUPF 225—Singer's Diction – 2 hours
  • MUPF 329—Applied Music – 1–2 hours
Organ Majors
  • MUPF 279—Service Playing – 2 hours
  • Select one (1) of the following courses:
    • MUPF 129—Applied Music – 2 hours
    • MUPF 329—Applied Music - 1–2 hours
Piano Majors
  • MUPF 289—Accompanying – 2 hours
  • Select one (1) of the following courses:
    • MUPF 129—Applied Music – 2 hours
    • MUPF 329—Applied Music – 1–2 hours
General Education
General education guidelines are found in the Catalog
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
The Bachelor of Music in Music Education is a professional degree designed for students seeking licensure as music educators. Students choose either the Vocal/Keyboard or the Instrumental endorsement, with dual endorsement available. Graduates enter the professional teaching field directly, or pursue advanced music study at the graduate level.
  • 67–71 credit hours of music coursework
  • Degree carries K–12 certification, qualifying students to teach music at elementary, middle, and/or secondary levels.
  • 100% job placement of recent graduates

B. Music in Music Ed., K–12 Certification

Core - 39 Hours
  • MUCT 111–112—Music Theory I, II – 6 hours
  • MUCT 121–122—Aural Theory I, II – 2 hours
  • MUCT 211–212—Music Theory III, IV – 6 hours
  • MUCT 221–222—Aural Theory III, IV – 2 hours
  • MUCT 313—Orchestration & Arranging – 2 hours
  • MUCT 485—Music Seminar – 1 hour
  • MUHL 218—Musical Styles & Repertories – 3 hours
  • MUHL 320—Music in the Middle Ages & Renaissance (W) – 2 hours
  • Select two (2) of the following courses:
    • MUHL 321—Music in the Late Renaissance and Baroque  (W) – 2 hours
    • MUHL 322—Classic and Romantic Music (W) – 2 hours
    • MUHL 323—Music in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries (W) – 2 hours
  • MUPF 100—Concert Attendance – 0 hours
  • MUPF 300—Concert Attendance – 0 hours
  • MUPF 273—Basic Conducting – 1 hour
  • MUPF 373—Choral Conducting – 2 hours
  • MUPF 374—Instrumental Conducting – 2 hours
  • Appropriate MUPF Ensembles (3 hrs. must be upper division) – 6 hours
Voice/Keyboard Endorsement – 20–24 Hours
Voice Concentration – 20 hours
  • MUPF 189/389—Concentration – 12 hours
  • MUPF 489—Senior Recital – 2 hours
  • MUED 317—Voice Pedagogy – 2 hours
  • MUPF 225—Singer's Diction I – 2 hours
  • Music Elective – 2 hours
Keyboard Concentration – 24 Hours
  • MUPF 189/389—Concentration (piano or organ) – 12 hours
  • MUPF 489—Senior Recital – 2 hours
  • MUPF 129/329—Applied Music (voice) – 4 hours
  • Choose one (1) of the following courses:
    • MUPF 279—Service Playing (Organ Majors) – 1,1 hours
    • MUPF 289—Accompanying (Piano majors) – 1, 1 hours
  • MUED 317—Voice Pedagogy – 2 hours
  • Choose one (1) of the following courses:
    • MUED 316—Piano Pedagogy – 2 hours
    • MUED 318—Organ Pedagogy – 2 hours
Instrumental Endorsement – 24 Hours

  • MUPF 189/389—Concentration (one instrument: wind, string, or percussion) – 12 hours
  • MUPF 489—Senior Recital – 2 hours
  • MUPF 129/329—Applied Music (one instrument from family outside of concentration 1,1) – 2 hours
  • MUED 236—String Methods and Techniques – 2 hours
  • MUED 246—Brass Methods and Techniques – 2 hours
  • MUED 256—Woodwind Methods and Techniques – 2 hours
  • MUED 266—Percussion Methods and Techniques – 2 hours
Dual Endorsement - 6 Hours
Students seeking dual endorsement must complete all coursework in one of the above endorsements, plus six additional hours from the following list.
  • MUED 246—Brass Methods and Techniques – 2 hours
  • MUED 256—Woodwind Methods and Techniques – 2 hours
  • MUED 266—Percussion Methods and Techniques – 2 hours
  • MUED 317—Voice Pedagogy – 2 hours
  • MUPF 129—Applied Voice – 1,1 hours
  • MUPF 225—Singer's Diction I – 1 hour
Professional Core -–38 Hours
  • MUED 250—Technology in Music Education – 2 hours
  • MUED 331—Music in the Elementary School – 3 hours
  • MUED 332—Music in the Secondary School – 3 hours
  • MUED 439—Pre-Student Teaching Seminar – 1 Hour
  • Choose one (1) of the following courses:
    • EDUC 129—Introduction to and Foundations of Elementary Education – 3 hours
    • EDUC 138—Introduction to and Foundations of Secondary Education – 3 hours
  • EDUC 331—Educational Theory and Assessment – 3 hours
  • EDUC 338—Foundations of Inclusive Education – 3 hours
  • EDUC 343—Learning Theories and Classroom Management – 3 hours
  • EDUC 419—Philosophy and Leadership in Christian Education (W) – 3 hours
  • EDUC 434—Reading and Writing in the Content Areas – 2 hours
  • EDUC 464—Teaching Seminar – 2 hours
  • EDUC 473—Enhanced Student Teaching K-12 – 10 hours
General Education - 39 Hours
Area R-1
  • RELB 125—Life and Teachings of Jesus – 3 hours
Area R-2
  • RELT 138—Adventist Heritage – 3 hours
  • RELT 255—Christian Beliefs – 3 hours
Area R-4
  • Upper division RELB/RELT elective course – 3 hours
Area IN-1
  • NOND 101—Southern Connections – 1 hour
Area IN-2
  • ENGL 101—Critical Thinking in Academic Reading and Writing I – 3 hours
  • ENGL 102—Critical Thinking in Academic Reading and Writing II – 3 hours
Area IN-3
  • COMM 135—Communication and Public Speaking – 3 hours
Area IN-4
  • MATH 215—Statistics – 3 hours
Area IN-5
  • CPTE 100—Computer Concepts – 1 hour
Area IN-6
  • HIST course – 3 hours
Area IN-7
  • BIOL, CHEM, ERSC or PHYS – 3 hours
Area IN-8
  • PSYC 128—Developmental Psychology – 3 hour
Area IN-10
  • MUHL 218—Musical Styles and Repertories – 3 hours* (fulfilled within the major)
Area P-1a
  • PEAC 125—Fitness for Collegiate Life – 1 hour
Area P-1b
  • Two 1-credit ADAC, OLAC, PEAC, or RECR courses – 2 hours
Area P-1c
  • PEAC 425—Fit For Hire – 1 hour
Denomination Certification Requirement - 2 Hours
  • HLED 173—Health for Life – 2 hours

Music Minor

Required - 20 Hours
  • MUCT 111–112—Music Theory I and II - 3, 3 hours
  • MUHL 218—Musical Styles and Repertories - 3 hours
  • MUPF 189—Concentration - 1,1 hour
  • MUPF 273—Basic Conducting - 1 hour
  • MUPF 389—Concentration - 1,1 hour
  • Ensemble (at least two hours must be upper division) - 4 hours
  • Select one (1) of the following courses:
    • MUHL 320—Music in the Middle Ages & Renaissance (W) - 2 hours
    • MUHL 321—Music in the Late Renaissance & Baroque (W) - 2 hours
    • MUHL 322—Classic & Romantic Music (W) - 2 hours
    • MUHL 323—Music in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries (W) - 2 hours

Questions?

Ken Parsons, Assistant to the Dean, School of Music

Email
kparsons@southern.edu

Phone
1.800.SOUTHERN
or 423.236.2886