The professional music world is getting more and more varied every year. The Bachelor of Musical Arts (B.M.A) responds to the wide variety of career paths available by giving students the freedom to develop a degree plan that matches their individualized career goals. This customizable, interdisciplinary degree—the only such NASM-accredited degree in Missouri—allows students to pursue training in musical performance, music technology, recording techniques, music education, entrepreneurship, and more in a wide range of musical styles from classical to rock to bluegrass.

Student looking in a microscope
General Studies
42-47
Major Requirements
CORE
MUS 100Concert/Recital Attendance0
MUS 103Fundamentals of Music3
MUS 106Basic Keyboard Skills I2
MUS 108Basic Keyboard Skills II2
MUS 109Functional Voice Class2
or MUS 201 Diction for Singers
MUS 115Musicianship I3
MUS 116Musicianship I Lab1
MUS 215Musicianship II3
MUS 216Musicianship II Lab1
MUS 302Technology Tools for Musicians2
MUS 348Music of World Cultures1
MUS 366Musicianship III3
MUS 367Musicianship III Lab1
Music History Requirement
MUS 362History of Western Music I: Ancient to Classical3
or MUS 363 History of Western Music II: Romanticism to the 21st Century
MUS 362History of Western Music I: Ancient to Classical3
or MUS 363 History of Western Music II: Romanticism to the 21st Century
or MUS 359 History of Popular Music in the Recording Era
or MUS 415 Jazz History
Music Electives
Choose 18 credit hours from the following (At least 4 courses must be 300 level or higher)18
Keyboard Proficiency for Instrumentalists
Keyboard Proficiency for Vocalists
Introduction to Music Technology
Entrepreneurship in Music
Percussion Methods and Materials
Elementary Music Methods and Materials
Live Sound Reinforcement
Seminar in Music Business Practices
Song and Choral Literature
Pedagogical Practices: Brass
Musicianship IV
Recording Techniques
Choral Conducting
Seminar in Music Technology
Middle and High School Choral Methods
Performance/Composition Studies
MUS 1XX (Applied Lessons)3
MUS 2XX (Applied Lessons)1
MUS 3XX (Applied Lessons)2
MUS 4XX (Applied Lessons)1
MUS 490Senior Recital1
or MUS 491 Senior Recital
or MUS 495 Music Capstone Project
Ensembles (at least 2 credit hours must be 300 level or higher)
MUS XXX (Large Ensembles)2
MUS XXX (Small/Chamber Ensembles)2
Choose from the following:
Second Non-Music Major, Minor or Approved Certificate
Approved 18 credit hour Course of Study with a minimum of 3 credit hours 300 level or higher

University Graduation Requirements 

  1. Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 CED credit hours applicable).
  2. Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in upper-division courses.  Lower-division transfer courses accepted as meeting upper-division departmental course requirements cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
  3. Earn 30 of the last 45 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
  4. Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments. 
  5. Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement.
  6. Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam. 

Are you ready to declare this major? Download, sign and submit the form(s) to the Music Department.

Mapping your degree plan is important. Consult with your academic advisor to create a plan and monitor it regularly.