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
In order to declare a major in music theory, students must submit a writing sample and a statement of career goals and must take an exam on music fundamentals. To begin the application process, students must fill out a separate Audition Request Form, which is available online at http://music.ua.edu/apply-audition/. Upon successful review of the materials, 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 music (BM) degree with a major in theory 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 129 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 219 | Composition I | 2 |
| MUS 250 | Music In World Cultures | 3 |
| MUS 251 | Music History I | 3 |
| MUS 252 | Music History II | 3 |
| MUS 300 | Readings in Music Theory | 2 |
| MUS 303 | 16th-Century Counterpoint | 3 |
| MUS 304 | 18th-Century Counterpoint I | 3 |
| MUS 307 | Form And Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 323 | Music History III | 3 |
| MUS 325 | Instrumentation | 3 |
| MUS 351 | Fund Of Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 403 | 18th-Century Counterpoint II | 3 |
| MUS 418 | Schenkerian Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 426 | Analysis of 20th-Century Music | 3 |
| MUS 492 or | Choral Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 494 | Band Conducting |
| 3 |
| MUA 010 | Music Convocation ((five semesters)) | 0 |
| 8 |
| Class Piano I
and Class Piano II
and Class Piano III
and Class Piano IV | |
| Piano Proficiency |
| 4 |
| MUA 231 | Piano (Secondary) | 0.5-1 |
| 4 |
| Total Hours | 76.5-77 |
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- or 400-level courses in the major must be earned on this campus.
Required Minor
The music theory major does not require 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. Theory majors may audition for status as ”principals” in any instrument or voice. Principal status qualifies the student for two hours of credit per semester instead of the usual one hour. No more than 10 hours or fewer than two hours may be taken in any single instrument or family of instruments. Students who do not qualify as piano principals must enroll for that instrument during every semester. The Seminar in Music Theory Research is normally taken during the second semester of the student’s sophomore year. During the senior year, theory majors must present, to the satisfaction of the theory faculty, a paper delivered as a lecture based on research done under the supervision of theory faculty.
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:
MUA Ensemble Courses
Four semesters of ensembles should be chosen from the following courses:
Career opportunities include full-time work as a performing musician, full-time opportunities as a licensed music therapist, and many other avenues within the music industry.
Types of Jobs Accepted
Recent graduates from The University of Alabama are very successful in major symphony orchestras, military bands, jazz, as freelancers, and as working music therapists.
Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center
