Turn your passion into your career: You’ll do that here.

A music degree will prepare you for a career in performance, teaching, or a graduate degree. And, with an available minor in fine arts entrepreneurship, your career path is only limited by your imagination. 

What You’ll Do  

As a music major at Southeast, you’ll study music history, music theory, many other disciplines outside of music, and gain performance experience through some of our many ensembles. 

  • Interact with nationally recognized performing artists and educators. 
  • Attend classes on Southeast’s River Campus, a campus solely dedicated to the arts. 
  • Gain performance experience through ensembles. 
  • Study in a program that is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. 

What Can You Do with a BA in Music?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Graduate School Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Illinois State University
  • Indiana University
  • Longy School of Music
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • University of Florida
  • University of Kansas
  • University of Louisville
  • University of Nebraska Lincoln
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • University of South Florida
  • University of Southern Illinois Carbondale
  • Washington University
  • Western Illinois University

Internship Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Fort Collins Opera
  • Harrow International School, Beijing, China
  • Paducah (KY) Symphony
  • St. Louis Symphony
  • Youth Excellence on StageMiddle East

Orchestra Position Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Kansas City Symphony
  • Paducah (KY) Symphony
  • St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Memphis Symphony

Teaching Position Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Belt Valley Public Schools (MT)
  • Cape Girardeau (MO) Public Schools
  • Columbia (MO) Public Schools
  • Ft. Zumwalt School District (MO)
  • O’Fallon (MO) Public Schools
  • Perryville (MO) Public Schools
  • Prescott Unified School District (AZ)
  • Santa Fe (NM) Public Schools
  • Sikeston (MO) Public Schools
  • St. Louis (MO) Public Schools

Music (BA) Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Outcomes & Careers

  • $62k

    Composer

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a composer is $62,590. 

  • $82k

    Producer

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a producer is $82,510. 

  • $39/hr

    Musician

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a musician is $39.14 per hour. 

What You'll Study

Degree Map

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)
NOTE: Students must take a minimum of 15 hours outside of Music or choose a minor.
*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.

 

Opportunities in Music at SEMO

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Accreditations

  • National Association of Schools of Music Logo
  • Yamaha Institution of Excellence Logo
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Location
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Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 7800
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701