Students entering this program should have a strong background in music. This should include performance experience with a specific instrument or voice type.
Admission into the Major
All students must pass an audition in order to declare a general music major (BA). To schedule an audition, students must fill out a separate application to the School of Music, which is available online at https://music.ua.edu/apply-audition/undergraduates/undergraduate-audition-request/.
Auditions typically take place between January and March prior to fall enrollment. Upon successful audition, students are expected to declare a major formally no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). Students can declare a major by completing the Change of Major/Minor Application online under the Student tab of myBama.
Students earning the bachelor of arts (BA) degree must complete all University, College and departmental degree requirements. These include the general education requirements, the following major requirements and other sufficient credits to total a minimum of 120 applicable semester hours.
| Code and Title | Hours |
| MUS 115 | Theory I: Voice Leading | 4 |
| MUS 117 | Theory II: Diatonic Harmony | 4 |
| MUS 215 | Theory III: Chromatic Harmony | 4 |
| MUS 217 | Theory IV: Advanced Harmony | 4 |
| MUS 250 | Music In World Cultures | 3 |
| MUS 251 | Music History I | 3 |
| MUS 252 | Music History II | 3 |
| MUS 323 | Music History III | 3 |
| MUS 307 | Form And Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 497 | Capstone Senior Project | 1 |
| 9 |
| 2 |
| 2 |
| 4 |
| MUA 010 | Music Convocation (five semesters) | 0 |
| Total Hours | 49 |
Grade Point Average
A 2.0 grade point average in the major is required for completion of the degree. Please see the Grades and Grade Points section of this catalog for an explanation on grade point average calculations.
Upper-level Residency
A minimum of 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be earned on this campus.
Ancillary Courses
The music major does not require ancillary courses.
Required Minor
This major requires the completion of a minor.
Additional Major Requirements
MUS 121 Intro To Listening does not satisfy the fine arts (FA) general education requirement for music majors. At the beginning of the senior year, the student, in consultation with the music adviser, selects a faculty adviser for the senior project, which is usually a substantial paper on a historical or theoretical topic. The topic and format of the project must be approved by the project adviser. The project must be turned in one month before the last day of classes in the final semester. It will be examined by a faculty committee selected by the project adviser. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all University, College, major and minor requirements. However, each student must meet with an adviser in the major department for academic planning and to be approved for registration each semester. College advisers are also available for additional assistance with minor, College and University requirements.
MUA Applied Courses
Students must earn a minimum of four hours and four semesters in a single instrument or voice chosen from the following courses:
MUA Ensemble Courses
Four semesters of ensemble should be chosen from the following courses:
Types of Jobs Accepted
Completion of this degree program prepares the student for many avenues within the professional world associated with music.
Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center
