College of Arts & Sciences
where excellence meets opportunity
where excellence meets opportunity
Selecting the degree option that is the right one for you is important. Listed below are the profiles that are somewhat typical of those choosing particular degrees. There is more than one reason to choose a particular degree. Some students might choose a degree that prepares them for a particular career or graduate school. Others might choose a particular degree knowing that this is the last opportunity to study the music they love full-time because their careers will be outside of music. These students desire music to be an important part of their lives, even while pursuing a career elsewhere. Both intentions (career, avocation) are valid reasons to study music seriously
The Bachelor of Arts degree allows the student to have a relatively high concentration in music courses (performance, ensembles, music history, and music theory) while taking a broad array of courses in or outside of music. This is a liberal arts degree and is not necessarily career-oriented. It is designed for students who want a broader overview of music and not an intense specialization in any one aspect of it. The performance standards in the primary instrument are not as high as for professional degrees. Students graduating with this degree could enter the workforce in any number of occupations that require an undergraduate degree, regardless of major, or enter a career in a music-related occupation (e.g., music business). Students might also want to pursue graduate study in liberal arts or to enter professional schools (e.g., law, music, or seminary) for which they qualify. There is a final project, the Capstone, in which the student submits for committee approval a project that addresses the interdisciplinary synthesis of different fields of music (e.g., history, theory, and performance practice) and possibly another academic discipline (e.g., literature, literary criticism, history, sociology, business, or sciences). Students must pass the Junior Qualifying Examination prior to registering for the Capstone.
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This is the professional degree and concentration for students who are outstanding performers. This is for students who wish to perform professionally or pursue graduate studies in performance. This is the concentration with the highest standard of performance in the primary instrument. Since there are comparatively few job opportunities for performers, this degree is for those few who know without a doubt that they wish to specialize in performance, while getting a solid foundation in music theory and history. Students in this degree could desire a career as a performer, as a college/university teacher, or as a combination of teacher and performer. Entrance audition levels are the highest for this degree. In fact, standards all along the way are very high. A high standard of demonstrated musical ability is required in order to complete the Junior Qualifying Examination and Bachelor of Music Qualifying Examination and be formally admitted to the Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in performance. Junior and Senior Recitals are required and must be approved by a faculty hearing before scheduling. All recitals are juried and graded. Performance students will participate in a number of performing ensembles. For those who go on to graduate study, the Master of Music degree typically is the next step, followed by the pursuit of the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. These graduate degrees typically require a number of recitals and perhaps a thesis or dissertation. Competition is very keen, since students are competing nationally with other highly talented and motivated students.
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This is the professional degree for students who have a strong interest in composition. This is the degree and concentration for students who wish to compose professionally or pursue graduate studies in composition. Since there are comparatively few job opportunities for composers, this degree is for those few who know without a doubt that they wish to specialize in composition, while getting a solid foundation in music theory and history. Students in this degree could desire a career as a composer or arranger, as a college/university teacher, or as a combination of teacher and composer. Standards for admission are the highest for this degree. In fact, standards all along the way are very high. A high standard of demonstrated musical ability is required in order to complete the Junior Qualifying Examination and Bachelor of Music Qualifying Examination and be formally admitted to the Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in composition. Senior Recitals are required and must be approved by a faculty hearing before scheduling. These recitals are juried and graded. Composition students will participate in a number of performing ensembles. For those who go on to graduate study, the Master of Music degree typically is the next step, followed by the pursuit of the Doctor of Musical Arts or Ph. D. in Music degree. These graduate degrees typically require a number of recitals and perhaps a thesis or dissertation. Competition is very keen, since students are competing nationally with other highly talented and motivated students.
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This is a professional degree for those who want to obtain public school teacher certification. It is an intensive program that includes a broad range of study in the areas of performance, music history, theory, education, and music education. In addition to passing the Junior Qualifying Examination and Bachelor of Music Qualifying Examination, (BMQE) students must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program prior to entering the internship program. Students select one of two tracks: Vocal/General Music Education or Instrumental Music Education. Observations in the public school classrooms precede the student teaching semester. [Passing scores on Standardized examinations are also required.] The culminating activity is a semester-long student teaching internship in the public schools. Students completing the program may elect to teach in the public or private schools of Georgia or further their studies by continuing their education in graduate school and obtaining a master’s degree in music education. Those desiring to teach at the university level generally will be required to complete a doctorate in music education, e.g., Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D). The bachelor’s degree in music education is also recommended for those desiring to work as church musicians, as many of the skills learned in the curriculum such as conducting, musicianship, teaching strategies, etc. are directly applicable to working with choirs and other elements of adult and youth music ministries.
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