2022-2023 Academic Catalog

Offered in: Chicago

The Bachelor of Musical Arts degree is an interdisciplinary honors program with significant curricular flexibility. The program is designed to prepare students for advanced study and careers in a number of areas. Students have gone on to graduate programs in musicology, music theory, music therapy, and arts administration, among other fields, and have pursued music entrepreneurial ventures as well as diverse areas such as music librarianship or public art advocacy,

The degree is designed for the student with a strong academic background who believes that music and cultural engagement are integral elements in a just, healthy and productive society and wishes to combine music with a second field outside of music. The outside field may be an established minor program offered by the university, selected courses in a single discipline, or a self-designed course of study that combines several disciplines as desired (e.g., History and Political Science). Students' programs are individualized according to their interests and culminate in a senior project that melds their work in music with their second discipline.

At the conclusion of the program, students are expected to have the capability to formulate and complete a capstone project that combines their knowledge and ability in music with the material, methodology, and perspectives of the second discipline. The nature of the project is not defined, as it will vary according to the student's interests and studies.

Admission

Students will present the audition requirements for their major performance area (instrument or voice). Please consult the CCPA Admission and Audition Information web page for the requirements.  An essay and an interview with program faculty are also required.

Grade and other requirements

Admission to the BMA includes admission to the Honors Program. Please consult the Honors Program section of this catalog for grade and other requirements.

The second emphasis may include courses in any non-music discipline, chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor in accordance with the student's interests. It may be a formal minor offered by the university or an interdisciplinary array of courses.

The minimum passing grade in Applied Music 201, 202, and 203 is C- (including the related jury exams). The minimum passing grade in Applied Music 204 and PERF 201 ACADEMIC MAJOR FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE JURYis B-. 

The minimum passing grade in MAS 310 BMA Capstone or HON 399 Senior Honors Thesis is B-. The Capstone shall take the form of an Honors Thesis for students eligible for Honors Program status entering their final year of coursework.

Requirements

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.