The Bachelor of Arts in Music is a liberal arts degree that gives students flexibility in curricular content that lends to diverse and interdisciplinary learning environments. Students in the BA program can build course loads to prepare in specific ways for a variety of career paths. Students must complete a core of classes in the Department of Music and within the Fulbright College, but have considerable freedom in a large pool of elective hours.

The BA is ideal for students pursuing a double-major or pre-professional degrees such as pre-med or pre-law. Students interested in Music Industry studies are also encouraged to pursue the BA due to its ability to support elective hours in the growing field of music business, production, and industry. The Bachelor of Arts in Music also supports musicians who might find interest in career paths in arts administration, writing, academics (musicology/ethnomusicology), and beyond.

BM in Composition – Students active in creating their own compositions in the Western art music tradition can concentrate their studies in the Composition degree. Most students complete core music curriculum in the first two years, including applied private instrument/voice lessons, before beginning composition lessons.

 BM in Music Education – Our most popular degree plan, the BM in Music Education trains music teachers resulting in a K-12 certification with a wide scope of studies. Instrumental and Choral tracks provide specialized training for professional music teachers, but the UA program also includes coursework in elementary education and special needs education.

 BM in Music Theory – The Music Theory degree allows students to concentrate on theoretical studies of musical structure while completing requirements in applied music studies, music history, and performing in ensembles. Advanced studies in theory and a senior writing project are required.

 BM in Performance – The Performance concentration prepares students for careers in a variety of performing opportunities. With extended studies in repertory, literature, and performance practice, many students go onto successful studies at some of the nation’s most prestigious graduate programs.

 BM in Performance with Jazz Studies – The Jazz Studies degree is a performance-based degree with concentrated studies in jazz analysis, history, and applied study. Students in this degree plan have a wide variety of options in performance practice including studies in improvisation, world music studies, and music production.

BM with Business Electives – The BM with Business Electives is designed for students interested in concentrating on a professional music degree while having electives in the Walton College of Business. Students complete applied private studies and standard music core curriculum and can choose from a variety of business courses for credit.

The Music Minor requires a minimum of 18 semester hours in music courses to include MLIT 1013, MUTH 1603, MUTH 2603, and either MUHS 3703 or MUHS 3713; other courses to be determined by the student in consultation with a music faculty adviser. 6 of the 18 hours must be at the 3000 level or higher.

The student must notify the Department of Music of his/her intent to minor.

For assistance or questions regarding the music minor, please contact our music minor advisor, Dr. Cory Mixdorf at 479-575-4711 or cmixdorf@uark.edu.