B.A. in Fine Arts in Music Degree Requirements
The B.A. in Fine Arts in Music is offered for students with interest in music who also want to pursue a second degree or minor not in the School of Music.
A total of 120 credit hours (45 at the Jr/Sr level 300+) is required. To graduate, a student must earn a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in all major courses and a minimum average of 2.0 in all course work.
Students will gain knowledge in a variety of areas while pursuing the B.A. and may include any approved KU major or minor without adding extra credit hours to their degree program. Students will study with faculty members who are nationally and internationally recognized. Courses in music theory and musicology are part of the exploration of music as are private instruction, ensemble and chamber music opportunities, as well as a senior performance recital.
With this degree, students will be well-rounded prospects for nearly any employer upon graduation. Students can also go on to pursue graduate studies in music, establish private studios, audition for music ensembles, or create their own paths in music or music-related endeavors.
The School of Music
The School of Music at the University of Kansas ranks among the finest in America, offering comprehensive programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
The school nurtures and advances the art of music through creation, performance, scholarly inquiry, entrepreneurship, and enhancement of the artistic skills and experiences of the university and regional cultural communities.
The school is a major contributor to the arts community through the student, faculty, and professional performances in Swarthout Recital Hall, Bales Organ Recital Hall, the Robert Baustian Theatre, and the Lied Center of Kansas.
The School of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The entrance and graduation requirements in this catalog conform to the published guidelines of that organization.
Instrumental Ensemble Policy
In order to remain enrolled in studio instruction (lessons), all undergraduate (B.A. & B.M.) and M.M. students who enroll in any level of studio instruction (including nonmajor levels) in band and orchestral instruments must audition for and perform as assigned in a major instrumental ensemble1 each semester in which they are enrolled. For music majors, 1 ensemble taken for credit each semester is required for graduation. Exceptions to this policy are allowed on a case-by-case basis and only by the ensemble conductor in consultation with the faculty member in the studio area or the faculty advisor in music therapy as appropriate.
Undergraduate Admission to the School of Music
First-year students should enter the school directly. Students may transfer to the school from other institutions or from other KU schools if they have at least a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and are eligible to return to the college or university last attended in addition to completing a successful audition. Other students can be admitted only with the permission of the dean. Send applications to the Office of Admissions. Visit the Office of International Admissions for information about international admissions.
Students who wish to major in music must audition. All music students academically approved for admission to the School of Music are admitted contingent upon demonstration by audition of satisfactory level proficiency in their areas of applied music. Music audition and application information is available on the School of Music website. There is a limit of two times a prospective student may request an audition for entrance into one of the School's undergraduate degree programs. The second request must be within 12 months of the first and may be as early as 1 month following the first audition. The limitation also applies to students within the School auditioning from one program into another.
Transfer Students
Students may transfer to the school from other institutions or from other KU schools if they have at least a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), are eligible to return to the college or university last attended, and complete a successful audition. Only grades of C or higher are accepted in transfer credit toward degrees offered by the School of Music. Students who wish to transfer performance credit from another institution toward any music degree at KU must validate this credit by audition. Music audition and application information is available on the School of Music website. There is a limit of two times a prospective student may request an audition for entrance into one of the School's undergraduate degree programs. The second request must be within 12 months of the first and may be as early as 1 month following the first audition. The limitation also applies to students within the School auditioning from one program into another.
Keyboard Skills Placement Examination:
If a student has a background in piano playing, they may choose to take one or more Piano Quiz-Out tests. Successfully passing a Quiz-Out will exempt a student from having to take a particular class in the PIAN sequence (PIAN 144, PIAN 148, PIAN 284, PIAN 288, and PIAN 310). Students should check with their advisor about how this will impact their particular degree requirements.
Freshmen and transfer students with no previous piano study experience should enroll in PIAN 144. No examination or permission number is necessary. Students should check with their advisor about their particular degree requirements.
More information about the Keyboard Skills Placement Examination including deadlines is available on the School of Music website.
B.A. in Fine Arts in Music Degree Requirements
The B.A. in Fine Arts in Music is offered for students with interests in any area of music who also want to pursue a second degree or minor not in the School of Music.
A total of 120 credit hours (45 at the Jr/Sr level 300+) is required. To graduate, a student must earn a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in all major courses and a minimum average of 2.0 in all course work.
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
ENGL 101 | Composition (or any course that fulfills GE21) | 3 |
ENGL 102 | Critical Reading and Writing (or any course that fulfills GE21) | 3 |
MATH 101 | College Algebra: _____ (or any course that fulfills GE12) | 3 |
COMS 130 | Speaker-Audience Communication (or any course that fulfills GE22) | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| |
MTHC 105 | Theory I (concurrent with MTHC 106) | 3 |
MTHC 106 | Aural Skills I | 1 |
MTHC 115 | Theory II (concurrent with MTHC 116) | 3 |
MTHC 116 | Aural Skills II | 1 |
MUSC 340 | Music History II | 3 |
MUSC 440 | Music History III | 3 |
REC 100 | Laboratory in Music Performance (2 semesters) | 0 |
| 8 |
| 4 |
| 3-6 |
| 16-19 |