Music (BA)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Offered by the Department of Performing Arts , College of Arts and Sciences . American University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Admission to the Program

Formal admission to the music major requires demonstrated ability through an audition and interview arranged with the department, preferably prior to beginning university studies. However, a student may enter as an intended major and audition/interview during the first year. Students will be accepted based on programmatic approval and written declaration of major.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 2 )
Completion of all requirements for a major (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 9 )

AU Core Requirements

Completion of AU Core foundation requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.2-8.6 )
Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.7 )
Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.8-8.11 )

For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum .

Major Requirements

48 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 18 credit hours at or above 300-level
Prerequisites (waived for students with equivalent music experience):
- PERF-111 Class Piano Level I (1)
- PERF-112 Class Piano Level II (1)
- PERF-120 Music Fundamentals (3) (with grade of B or better)
Applied Music Lessons: All students must successfully complete a minimum of four semesters of MUS-122 Private Instrumental or Vocal Study (2) on a principal instrument or voice; music majors must enroll for a one-hour lesson each week and attend the weekly music performance lab (MUS-001 Applied Music Performance Lab (0) )
Performance Ensembles: All students must successfully complete a minimum of six semesters of approved performance ensembles. Music majors must enroll in a performance ensemble in all semesters in which they are enrolled in applied music lessons

Course Requirements

Academic Music (22 credit hours)

Private Studies in Applied Music (8 credit hours)

Complete a minimum of 8 credit hours (over four semesters) from the following:

MUS-122 Private Instrumental or Vocal Study (2)

Performance Ensembles (0-6 credit hours)

Complete six courses (over six semesters) from the following, with no more than three courses from chamber music ensembles (PERF-045 Chamber Ensembles (0) /PERF-145 Chamber Ensembles (1) ):

Note: Students may register for ensembles in either the 1 credit hour or noncredit options. Students registered for 16 credit hours or less in any given semester are required to register for credit. All majors enrolled in applied music must be registered in an ensemble during each semester of private studies.

Advanced Concentration (18 credit hours)

Required Music Seminars

Additional Music Seminar

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Concentration Electives

6 credit hours approved by music faculty mentor, which may include a senior recital (MUS-434 Private Instrumental or Vocal Study (4) ), a senior thesis in the performing arts, internships (PERF-491 Performing Arts: Internship (1-6) ), independent study projects (PERF-490 Independent Study Project in Performing Arts (1-6) ), interdisciplinary classes, or other approved courses

Senior Colloquium

PERF-446 Senior Colloquium in Music (3)

Combined Music (BA) and Teaching (MAT)

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Admission to a Combined Bachelor’s / Master’s Program and Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.

In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for combined bachelor’s/master’s programs:

Students should discuss their interest in the program with the academic advisor for the Music (BA) before submitting a formal application.