Music (BA)
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Outcomes & Careers
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$62k
Composer
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a composer is $62,590.
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$82k
Producer
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a producer is $82,510.
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$39/hr
Musician
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a musician is $39.14 per hour.
The music curriculum includes core coursework to prepare you for a career in music. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
50-54 Hour Major – No minor required
(A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for all courses within the major.)- MH181 The World of Music (3)
- MH251 History and Literature of Music to 1800 (3)
- MH252 Evolution of Musical Style Since 1800 (3)
- MM001 Aural Skills (0)
- MM002 Aural Skills (0)
- MM100 Music Fundamentals (3)
- MM102 Intermediate Harmony and Melody (3)
- MM105 Aural Skills I (1)
- MM106 Aural Skills II (1)
- MM203 Advanced Harmony, Melody, and Form (3)
- MM204 Music Theory through Composition, Arranging, and Orchestration (3)
- MM207 Aural Skills III (1)
- MM208 Aural Skills IV (1)
- MP001 Recital (0)
- MP1xx Applied Music (1-2)*
- MP2xx Applied Music (1-2)*
- MP3xx Applied Music (1-2)*
- MP4xx Applied Music (1-2)*
- MU001 Piano Proficiency (0)
- MU002 Sophomore Review (0)
- MU003 Major Field Assessment Test (0)
- MU110 Recitals and Concerts (six semesters) (0)
- MU151 Functional Piano I (1)**
- MU152 Functional Piano II (1)**
- MU253 Functional Piano III (1)**
- MU254 Functional Piano IV (1)**
- MU3xx Instrumental or Vocal Ensemble (5)
- MU330 Music Business: Career Development (2)
- Choose 10 hours: (minimum of 4 hours must be 300 level or above)
- MC221 Digital Media Production (3)
- MH310 Popular Music in America and Beyond (3)
- MH320 A History of Music in Films and Video Games (3)
- MH327 Jazz History (3)
- MH340 Gender and Music (3)
- MH350 Special Topics in Music History and Literature (2-3)
- MH392 The Age of Romanticism (3)
- MH393 Age of Modernism (3)
- MH402 Music in World Cultures (3)
- MM310 Music Creation Technology I (2)
- MM312 Approaches to Musical Analysis (3)
- MM324 Jazz Theory and Analysis (3)
- MM325 Songwriting (2)
- MM410 Music Creation Technology II (2)
- MU123 Singer’s Diction I (1)
- MU124 Singer’s Diction II (1)
- MU251 Jazz Improv I (3)
- MU3xx Ensemble (1) (3 hours maximum)
- MU320 Jazz Improv II (3)
- MU341 Basic Conducting (2)
- MU424 Vocal Pedagogy (2)
- MU430 Pedagogy: Applied Area (string, piano only) (2)
- MU432 Literature: Applied Area (vocal, string, piano only) (2)
- TH286 Audio Production I (3)
- TH491 Music Theatre History I (3)
*A total of 8 hours of applied lessons must be earned.
**Students may elect to take the keyboard proficiency exam
at any point within the first four semesters.
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
First Year
Fall Semester (18-19 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- EN100 (3)
- MH181 (3)
- MM001 (0)
- MM100 (3)
- MM105 (1)
- MP1xx (1-2)
- MU110 (0)
- MU123* (1)
- MU151 (or proficiency) (1)
- MUxxx (major ensemble) (1)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (16-18 Hours)
- MM102 (3)
- MM106 (1)
- MP1xx (1-2)
- MU110 (0)
- MU124* (1)
- MU152 (or proficiency) (1)
- MUxxx (major ensemble) (1)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
*Only required for vocal track students
Second Year
Fall Semester (14-17 Hours)
- MH251 (3)
- MM203 (3)
- MM207 (1)
- MP2xx (1-2)
- MU110 (0)
- MU253 (or proficiency) (1)
- MUxxx (major ensemble) (1)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (1-3)
Spring Semester (15-17 Hours)
- MH252 (3)
- MM002 (0)
- MM204 (3)
- MM208 (1)
- MP2xx (1-2)
- MU001 (0)
- MU002 (0)
- MU110 (0)
- MU254 (or proficiency) (1)
- MUxxx (major ensemble) (1)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
Summer courses are encouraged to avoid 18-hour semesters.
Third Year
Fall Semester (14-17 Hours)
- Music elective (3)
- Music elective (1-3)
- MP3xx (1-2)
- MU110 (0)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (17-18 Hours)
- Music elective (3)
- MP001 (0)
- MP3xx (1-2)
- MU110 (0)
- MUxxx (major ensemble) (1)
- Required elective course (3)
- Minor (3)
- Minor (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
Fourth Year
Fall Semester (13-14 Hours)
- MP001 (0)
- MP4xx (1-2)
- MU330 (3)
- Minor (3)
- Minor (3)
- Minor (3)
Spring Semester (16-17 Hours)
- Music elective (3)
- MP4xx (1-2)
- MU003 (0)
- Minor (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.
“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.
What will it cost?
Opportunities in Music at SEMO
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Music Scholarships
We know that paying for an education isn’t easy, but it is worth it. That is why The Department of Music has scholarships available just for its’ students. See all of the scholarships available to Department of Music students.
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Performance Venues
You know at a school with an entire campus dedicated to the arts, you will get to perform in some beautiful space. Explore our performance venues now.
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Auditions
Ready to find your next performance group or take your next step towards a degree? Learn more about the audition process at SEMO. -
Ensembles
No matter what instrument you play. We have a performance group for you to gain the experience necessary to make your passion, your career.
Explore our Bachelor of Arts in Music
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
Accreditations
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701