Music, BA

The Bachelor of Arts in Music is a 120-credit program that allows students to study music in the context of a liberal arts education. Clayton State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The Division of Music's mission is to provide:

• Professional preparation for performers, educators, scholars, and creators
• Broad-based liberal arts education in music
• Service to the university and the public through performance and community engagement

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Hear, identify and manipulate with fluency in sound and notation the elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre, and texture.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in solo and collaborative performance including technical competency, sight-reading, interpretive skill and artistic self-expression.
3. Think, speak and write clearly and effectively about music.
4. Develop teaching and coaching skills appropriate to the performance medium.

Honor Societies and Clubs

Several honor societies, clubs, and service organizations are designed to support, augment, and supplement the educational and professional development of music students, including Mu Phi Epsilon (Coeducational Professional Music Fraternity) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME Collegiate).

Admission

Students who wish to major in Music must successfully audition for members of the faculty. Information about music auditions is available from the office of the Department of Film, Communication, and Performing Arts and on the Department’s webpage. In addition, students must pass a Sophomore Barrier before enrolling in certain 3000- or 4000-level music courses.

Program Requirements

Musical Theatre Certificate within the B.A. Music

The Musical Theatre Certificate offers students an in-depth experience in the world of musical theatre. This 21-hour interdisciplinary program is designed to empower students to explore and refine their talents across the core disciplines of musical theatre: acting, music, and dance. With guidance from experienced faculty and curriculum, students will emerge as well-rounded artists with the skills and confidence to meet the demands of the industry.

To be eligible for the certificate, students must:

• Be enrolled in the B.A. in Music or B.A. in Stage and Screen degree. The optional certification must be earned simultaneously with one of these degrees and will be awarded in conjunction with the degree via a notation on the transcript.
• Successfully complete an audition evaluated by faculty from both programs

Other Music Graduation Requirements

1. A minimum of 39 hours of 3000- or 4000-level courses is required for graduation.
2. Students are encouraged, but not required, to use Electives to complete a minor program.
3. No grades of D in upper-division courses are allowed in the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree program. Upper-division courses are all courses other than those of Areas A through F of the core curriculum. 1000- or 2000-level courses used in the upper division are included in this restriction. Additionally:
   1. No grades of D are allowed for any MUSC, THEA, or DANC course at any level.
   2. No grades of D are allowed for any course for students in the Music Education program.
4. Requirements specific to the Music Program:
   1. To graduate with a BA degree, students must demonstrate proficiency in keyboard skills, in ear training, and in performance, and must attend performances and forums.
   2. Students must pass the Sophomore Barrier (usually at the end of the sophomore year) in order to enroll in upper-division music courses.
   3.  MUSC 2301 Introduction to World Music must be taken as an elective if not taken in the A area of the Core IMPACTS general education requirements.

Please Note: This is a suggested course sequence and assumes a starting freshman with no prior college credit who intends to complete their degree in four years. Students should consult with their academic advisor and review the course prerequisites and minimum grade requirements as seen in the Academic Catalog. 

First-time traditional students enrolling in 9 or more semester hours are required to enroll in CSU 1000 First Year Seminar

¹

3000-4000 MUSC, DANC, THEA

²

MUSC 3410 Major Ensemble

OR

MUSC 3431 Beginning Conducting

OR

MUSC 3432 Advanced Conducting

OR

MUSC 3510 Chamber Ensembles

OR 

MUSC 3550 Accompanying

OR

MUSC 3570 Music Drama Workshop

³

3000-4000 non-MUSC prefix