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Music - B.A. Program Requirements PDFDownload to print

Type Legend: DD Diversity–Domestic; DG Diversity–Global; KAD Kent Core Additional; KBS Kent Core Basic Sciences; KCM Kent Core Composition; KFA Kent Core Fine Arts: KHU Kent Core Humanities; KMC Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning; KSS Kent Core Social Sciences; WIC Writing Intensive

Please read the sections in the University Catalog on Kent Core, diversity and writing-intensive requirements.

I. DESTINATION KENT STATE: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE  (1 credit)
Type Course Title Credits
  US 10097 Destination Kent State: First Year Experience 1
II. MAJOR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (56 credits)  Courses count in major GPA
Type Course Title Credits
  MUS 11121 Theory 3
    11122 Theory 3
    21121 Music Theory to 1750 3
    21122 Music Theory, 1750-1900 3
KFA   22111 The Understanding of Music (music major section) 3
KFA
DG		   22121 Music As a World Phenomenon (music major section) 3
    31121 Western Music Since 1900 2
    32211 Music History to 1750 3
WIC   32212 Music History, 1750-1900 1 3
    34111 Elementary Conducting 2
    41341

45131		 Jazz Improvisation I (2) 2
or
Opera: Singer-Actor techniques (2) 2 		2
  Choose from the following: Applied Music 3 16
  MUS 36111 Applied Music-Piano (2)  
    36311 Applied Music-Voice (2)  
    36411 Applied Music-Violin (2)  
    36412 Applied Music-Viola (2)  
    36413 Applied Music-Cello (2)  
    36414 Applied Music-Double Bass (2)  
    36511 Applied Music-Flute (2)  
    36512 Applied Music-Oboe (2)  
    36513 Applied Music-Clarinet (2)  
    36514 Applied Music-Bassoon (2)  
    36515 Applied Music-Saxophone (2)  
    36611 Applied Music-Trumpet (2)  
    36612 Applied Music-Horn (2)  
    36613 Applied Music-Trombone (2)  
    36614 Applied Music-Euphonium (2)  
    36615 Applied Music-Tuba (2)  
    36711 Applied Music-Percussion (2)  
  Choose from the following: Major Ensemble 4 8
  MUS 45111 University Choir (1)  
    45121 Kent Chorus (1)  
    45141 Kent State University Chorale (1)  
    45142 Men's Chorus (1)  
    45143 Women's Chorus (1)  
    45212 Orchestra (1)  
    45221 Concert Band (1)  
    45223 Wind Ensemble (1)  
  Choose from the following: Applied Music - Piano or Piano Class 5 2
  MUS 27111 Piano Class (2)  
    27112 Piano Class (2)  
    36111 Applied Music-Piano (2)  
    46111 Applied Music-Piano (2)  
III. ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (64 credits)  
Type Title   Credits
  Kent Core Additional (must be from two categories) 6
  Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory) 6-7
  Kent Core Composition 6
  Kent Core Humanities 3
  Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning 3-5
  Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) 6
  General Electives (minimum 7 upper-division credit hours) 34
MINIMUM TOTAL  121

1. A minimum C (2.0) grade must be earned in MUS  32212 to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
2. Instrumental principals take MUS 41341; Voice principals take MUS 45131.
3. Applied Music (8 semesters and 16 credit hours): Based on instrument of music degree acceptance. the 46000 level may be taken following a successful 46000-level barrier exam. Students must meet the 46000 entry level prior to graduation.
4. Major ensemble (8 semesters and 8 credit hours): Students must enroll in a major ensemble appropriate to their major performance area each semester they are registered full time as music majors.
5. Applied Music-Piano or Piano Class (2 credit hours): placement test required. MUS 17111 and 17112 do not count toward graduation. Students who have piano as the primary instrument replace these hours with electives.

Important Notes:

  • Minimum C- (1.70) grade required in all music courses.
  • Students who begin their music or music education major program as first semester freshmen are required to attend a minimum of 84 concerts or recitals.  Music or music education majors who transfer from a non-music program or university must attend an average of 10 music recitals or concerts for semesters of full time enrollment.
  • To graduate from Kent State University with the degree B.M. or B.A. in music, it is required that students take a major field achievement test in music history and music theory during their senior year.  Specific score level achievement is not required.
  • Applied music courses are available in the summer on selected instruments. Composition may also be taken in the summer.