Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 University Catalog 
    
2021-2022 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, BA


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The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music is an academic degree that includes the study of a broad range of subjects covering music theory, history, music technology and performance. All students entering the program must take a number of core music classes and select a concentration in either Music Technology or General Music Studies to complete the major. 

About the Program


To complete the BA in Music one must fulfill both the Music Major Core Requirements and a Concentration. The concentrations currently consist of either Music Technology or General Music Studies. The core courses range from 24-28 credits depending on whether one performs in band or orchestra (receiving 1 credit per semester) or Purdue Music Organization (which do not receive credit). Depending upon which ensembles one enrolls in, the number of credits for the major may vary between 42 and 46 credits. Because of this, electives vary between 17 and 21 credits.

Degree Requirements


120 Credits Required

Departmental/Program Major Courses (42-46 credits)


Required Major Courses (24-28 credits)


Recitals


Music majors are required to attend a number of recitals of their peers and faculty each semester for four semesters. They are also required to perform or present in at least two recitals over the course of their undergraduate experience. Students receive a pass or no pass grade in Recitals Class depending upon the required number of recitals offered each semester. Consult with the Chair of Music to determine the exact number of required recitals needed to pass.

Music Making Studies (6-10 credits)


Studio Courses (6 credits)

Ensemble Participation (0-4 credits)

University Bands and Orchestras offers 2 credits for each of their performance ensembles and PMO and the Black Cultural Center do not offer credit for their performing groups. The 0 credit listed above is for performance in those ensembles. A minimum of two semesters of ensemble participation is required for this degree.

For students who perform in groups that do not receive official university credit for their musical activities, they must submit an Attendance Verification Form which can be obtained in the Division of Music main office. Forms must be signed by the Director of the ensemble each semester in attendance.

Required Concentration (18 credits)


Choose either the Music Technology or General Music Studies concentration.

Other Departmental - Liberal Arts Core For BFA, Professional, & Education (25-34 credits)


The College of Liberal Arts Other Departmental area is designed to be experiential, informative, and relevant to life in a rapidly changing universe. It combines courses that fulfill University Core foundational outcomes, discipline diversity, social diversity, and other languages to produce a well-rounded background for students. Coursework is integrative and collaborative and fosters insight, understanding, independence, initiative, and the desire to reach across divides and redefine our relationship to the peoples and the worlds that surround us.

Core III: Linguistic Diversity (3-4 credits)


Proficiency through Level IV in one world language. Courses may be required to reach Level IV proficiency; these courses will be counted toward electives. (fulfills Humanities for core)

Foundational Requirements (21-30 credits)


Students must complete approved coursework that meet the following foundational outcomes. Many of these can also be used to fulfill Core I, Core II, or Core III.

  • Humanities - fulfilled by MUS 36100 in major.
  • Behavioral/Social Science - all approved courses accepted. (fulfills Behavioral/Social Science for core)
  • Information Literacy - all approved courses accepted. (fulfills Information Literacy for core)
  • Science #1 - all approved courses accepted. (fulfills Science for core)
  • Science #2 - all approved courses accepted. (fulfills Science for core)
  • Science, Technology, and Society - all approved courses accepted. (fulfills Science, Technology, Society for core)
  • Written Communication - all approved courses accepted. (fulfills Written Communication for core)
  • Oral Communication - all approved courses accepted. (fulfills Oral Communication for core)
  • Quantitative Reasoning - all approved courses accepted. (fulfills Quantitative Reasoning for core)

Notes


  • 2.0 Graduation GPA required for Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • 32 credit hours at 30000 level or higher required for Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • Liberal Arts offers a streamlined plan of study for students pursuing a second degree outside CLA. Contact the CLA Advising Office for more information. 

Electives (40-53 credits)


The following list of courses is only to show the music courses available to a student to assist in meeting the 32-hour 300-level university requirement. Students are in no way required to choose these courses as part of their electives.

University Requirements


University Core Requirements


For a complete listing of University Core Course Selectives, visit the Provost’s Website.
  • Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science (BSS)
  • Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM)
  • Information Literacy (IL)
  • Oral Communication (OC)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
  • Science #1 (SCI)
  • Science #2 (SCI)
  • Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
  • Written Communication (WC)

Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement:


The Civics Literacy Proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry.

Students will complete the Proficiency by passing a test of civic knowledge, and completing one of three paths:

  • Attending six approved civics-related events and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Completing 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement that use C-SPAN material and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Earning a passing grade for one of these approved courses (or transferring in approved AP or departmental credit in lieu of taking a course)

For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.



Prerequisite Information:


For current pre-requisites for courses, click here.


Program Requirements


Fall 1st Year


15-16 Credits


Spring 1st Year


15-17 Credits


Fall 2nd Year



17-18 Credits


Spring 2nd Year



14-15 Credits


Fall 3rd Year


  • Information Literacy - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Quantitative Reasoning - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Concentration Course - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Science #2 - Credit Hours: 3.00

14 Credits


Spring 3rd Year


  • Concentration Course - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Science, Technology, and Society - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00

15 Credits


Fall 4th Year


  • Concentration Course - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00

15 Credits


Spring 4th Year


  • Concentration Course - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Human Cultures: Humanities - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00

15 Credits


Notes


  • 2.0 Graduation GPA required for Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • 32 credit hours at 30000 level or higher required for Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • Liberal Arts offers a streamlined plan of study for students pursuing a second degree outside CLA. Contact the CLA Advising Office for more information. 

World Language Courses


World Language proficiency requirements vary by program. The following list is inclusive of all world languages PWL offers for credit; for acceptable languages and proficiency levels, see your advisor.

ASL-American Sign Language ARAB-Arabic CHNS-Chinese FR-French
GER-German GREK-Greek (Ancient) HEBR-Hebrew (Biblical) HEBR-Hebrew (modern)
ITAL-Italian JPNS-Japanese KOR-Korean LATN-Latin
PTGS-Portuguese RUSS-Russian SPAN-Spanish  

 

 
 
 

 

 

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.  Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful.  These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program”. 

Disclaimer


The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.

The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.

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