ºÚÁÏÍø's Bachelor of Arts in Music program provides students with a well-rounded education in music theory, history and performance. With a variety of performance opportunities, experienced faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, this program prepares graduates for careers in music and beyond.
Music - B.A.
Contact Us
College of the Arts
School of Music
www.kent.edu/music
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Undergraduate Studies Coordinator:
Gerrey Noh
hnoh@kent.edu -
Speak with an Advisor
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Chat with an Admissions Counselor:
Kent Campus
Regional Campuses
Bachelor of Arts in Music - B.A.
Music majors have an opportunity to study music and liberal arts with an optional minor, available in most academic areas of the university, or as a dual degree program with a major in another field. Students can also select the Stark Campus-only concentration in Contemporary Popular Music. Although not as music intensive as the Bachelor of Music degree programs, this degree includes study on a main instrument and ensemble participation throughout the program.
Program Information for Music - B.A.
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Program Description
Full Description
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music gives music majors an opportunity to study music and liberal arts with an optional minor, available in most academic areas of the university, or as a dual degree program with a major in another field. Although not as music intensive as the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree, the B.A. degree includes study on a main instrument and ensemble participation throughout the program.
The Music major includes the following optional concentrations:
- The Contemporary Popular Music concentration provides students the opportunity to study contemporary instruments such as electric guitar, electric bass and voice, as well as participate in a variety of styles, including rock, pop, Motown and other popular styles.
- The Jazz Studies concentration provides students the opportunity to study jazz improvisation, arranging and composing.
Students not selecting a concentration will continue with applied music and major ensemble electives, in addition to a music history course and research or senior recital as the culminating experience.
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Admissions
for Music - B.A.
Admission Requirements
Applications to the Jazz Studies concentration are not being accepted for academic year 2024-2025. Applications are being accepted for the fall 2025 admission term.
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.
Admission to this major is selective. Students must audition before being admitted to the Music major. Inquiries can be directed to the coordinator of admissions and scholarships, School of Music, E-101 Music and Speech, ºÚÁÏÍø, Kent, OH 44242-0001 (or call 330-672-2172).
International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.
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Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of music history and theory.
- Demonstrate high-level skills in recitals, ensembles or music research.
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Coursework
On This Page
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C grade required in all courses) MUS 11121 THEORY I 4 MUS 11122 THEORY II 4 MUS 21111 THEORY III 4 MUS 21112 THEORY IV 4 MUS 22111 UNDERSTANDING WESTERN MUSIC (KFA) (music major section) 3 MUS 22121 MUSIC AS A WORLD PHENOMENON (DIVG) (KFA) (music major section) 3 MUS 34111 INTRODUCTION TO CONDUCTING 2 Piano Class, choose from the following: 1 2 MUS 17111PIANO CLASS I MUS 17112PIANO CLASS II MUS 27111PIANO CLASS III MUS 27112PIANO CLASS IV Major Ensemble, choose from the following: 2 1 MUS 45141KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE MUS 45142CORO CANTARE MUS 45143CANTIQUE MUS 45212ORCHESTRA MUS 45221SYMPHONY BAND MUS 45223WIND ENSEMBLE Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) CA 31300 MUSIC CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2 UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 6 3 3 6 6-7 6 Non-Music (MUS) Electives 33 Additional Requirements or Concentrations Choose from the following: 27 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 - 1
Piano class (2 credit hours): Placement test required. Students who have piano as their main instrument and students placed into Applied Music Piano replace with music (MUS) electives.
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Major ensemble: Students must enroll in an ensemble appropriate to their major performance area. Students in the Contemporary Popular Music concentration take one semester of major ensemble and seven separate semesters of MUS 35213. MUS 25011 and MUS 25225 can be used for major ensemble credit. Students in the Jazz Studies concentration take one semester of major ensemble, four semesters of MUS 45312 and four semesters of MUS 45321. Voice students in the Jazz Studies concentration replace MUS 45321 with MUS 45313.
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Additional Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C grade required in all courses) MUS 32211 WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY I 3 MUS 32212 WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY II (WIC) 1 3 Senior Recital or Research Elective, choose from the following: 2 MUS 48598MUSIC RESEARCH (ELR) MUS 36XXXApplied Music (Senior Recital) 2Applied Music Electives, choose from the following: 3 12 MUS 21213CLASS COMPOSITION I MUS 21214CLASS COMPOSITION II MUS 36111APPLIED MUSIC PIANO 4 MUS 36311APPLIED MUSIC VOICE MUS 36411APPLIED MUSIC VIOLIN MUS 36412APPLIED MUSIC VIOLA MUS 36413APPLIED MUSIC CELLO MUS 36414APPLIED MUSIC DOUBLE BASS MUS 36511APPLIED MUSIC FLUTE MUS 36512APPLIED MUSIC OBOE MUS 36513APPLIED MUSIC CLARINET MUS 36514APPLIED MUSIC BASSOON MUS 36515APPLIED MUSIC SAXOPHONE MUS 36611APPLIED MUSIC TRUMPET MUS 36612APPLIED MUSIC HORN MUS 36613APPLIED MUSIC TROMBONE MUS 36614APPLIED MUSIC EUPHONIUM MUS 36615APPLIED MUSIC TUBA MUS 36711APPLIED MUSIC PERCUSSION MUS 36912APPLIED MUSIC GUITAR Major Ensemble Electives, choose from the following: 5 7 MUS 45141KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE MUS 45142CORO CANTARE MUS 45143CANTIQUE MUS 45212ORCHESTRA MUS 45221SYMPHONY BAND MUS 45223WIND ENSEMBLE Minimum Total Credit Hours: 27 - 1
A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
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The senior recital may be used to satisfy the Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR), with approval.
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Bachelor of Arts students are restricted to taking 2-credit hour applied music sections, which include a 60-minute group practice and 60-minute private lesson. Students not declaring a concentration will need to take a total of six semesters and 12 credit hours of applied music or replace up to two semesters of applied music with MUS 21213 and MUS 21214 based on instrument of music degree acceptance. Students must meet the 46000-entry-level prior to graduation. The 46000-level may be taken following a successful 46000-level barrier exam. One semester of MUS 21213 can replace one semester of MUS 31211.
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Piano class (2 credit hours): Placement test required. Students who have piano as their main instrument and students placed into Applied Music Piano replace with music (MUS) electives.
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Major ensemble: Students must enroll in a major ensemble appropriate to their major performance area.
Contemporary Popular Music Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C grade required in all courses) MUS 21341 CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC THEORY 1 3 MUS 35213 STUDIO ENSEMBLE 1 7 MUS 36913 APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 2 2 or MUS 48598 MUSIC RESEARCH (ELR) MUS 42165 HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC (DIVD) (WIC) 3 3 Composition or Applied Studio Musicianship Electives, choose from the following: 4 8 MUS 31211COMPOSITION 5 MUS 36913APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1 MUS 36914ELECTRIC GUITAR APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1,6 MUS 36915ELECTRIC BASS APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1,6 MUS 36916DRUM SET PERCUSSION APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1 MUS 36917KEYBOARD APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1 MUS 36918CONTEMPORARY VOICE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1 MUS 36919FLUTE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1 MUS 36920CLARINET APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1 MUS 36921SAXOPHONE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1 MUS 36922TRUMPET APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1 MUS 36923HORN APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1 MUS 36924TROMBONE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 1 Applied Music Electives, choose from the following: 7 4 MUS 36111APPLIED MUSIC PIANO MUS 36311APPLIED MUSIC VOICE MUS 36414APPLIED MUSIC DOUBLE BASS MUS 36511APPLIED MUSIC FLUTE MUS 36512APPLIED MUSIC OBOE MUS 36513APPLIED MUSIC CLARINET MUS 36514APPLIED MUSIC BASSOON MUS 36515APPLIED MUSIC SAXOPHONE MUS 36611APPLIED MUSIC TRUMPET MUS 36612APPLIED MUSIC HORN MUS 36613APPLIED MUSIC TROMBONE MUS 36614APPLIED MUSIC EUPHONIUM MUS 36615APPLIED MUSIC TUBA MUS 36711APPLIED MUSIC PERCUSSION MUS 36912APPLIED MUSIC GUITAR Minimum Total Credit Hours: 27 - 1
Only available at the Stark campus.
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MUS 36913 (senior recital) may be used to satisfy the Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR), with approval.
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A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
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Applied music: Students in the Contemporary Popular Music concentration must take two semesters and 4 credit hours of applied music and 8 credit hours of MUS 31211, MUS 36913, MUS 36914, MUS 36915, MUS 36916, MUS 36917, MUS 36918, MUS 36919, MUS 36920, MUS 36921, MUS 36922, MUS 36923 or MUS 36924 (one semester of MUS 21213 can be included). Students must also meet the 46000-entry-level prior to graduation. The 46000-level may be taken following a successful 46000-level barrier exam.
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One semester of MUS 21213 can replace one semester of MUS 31211.
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Electric guitar and electric bass students, based upon the audition, can be placed in either MUS 16914 or MUS 16915. Upon successful completion of two semesters of MUS 16914/MUS 16915, students continue with applied study as indicated in footnote four.
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Bachelor of Arts students are restricted to taking 2-credit hour applied music sections, which include a 60-minute group practice and 60-minute private lesson.
Jazz Studies Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C grade required in all courses) ENGR 31000 CULTURAL DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY (DIVD) (WIC) 1 3 MUS 17013 FUNDAMENTALS OF JAZZ PIANO 1 MUS 36011 APPLIED MUSIC JAZZ 2 4 MUS 36011 APPLIED MUSIC JAZZ 3 2 or MUS 48598 MUSIC RESEARCH (ELR) MUS 41341 JAZZ IMPROVISATION I 1 MUS 41342 JAZZ COMPOSING AND ARRANGING 2 MUS 41351 JAZZ IMPROVISATION II 1 MUS 42162 JAZZ STYLES AND ANALYSIS 3 MUS 45231 JAZZ ENSEMBLE 4 4 or MUS 45313 NOVA JAZZ SINGERS MUS 45312 JAZZ COMBO DEVELOPMENT 4 4 Applied Music Elective, choose from the following: 2 2 MUS 36111APPLIED MUSIC PIANO MUS 36311APPLIED MUSIC VOICE MUS 36411APPLIED MUSIC VIOLIN MUS 36412APPLIED MUSIC VIOLA MUS 36413APPLIED MUSIC CELLO MUS 36414APPLIED MUSIC DOUBLE BASS MUS 36511APPLIED MUSIC FLUTE MUS 36512APPLIED MUSIC OBOE MUS 36513APPLIED MUSIC CLARINET MUS 36514APPLIED MUSIC BASSOON MUS 36515APPLIED MUSIC SAXOPHONE MUS 36611APPLIED MUSIC TRUMPET MUS 36612APPLIED MUSIC HORN MUS 36613APPLIED MUSIC TROMBONE MUS 36614APPLIED MUSIC EUPHONIUM MUS 36615APPLIED MUSIC TUBA MUS 36711APPLIED MUSIC PERCUSSION MUS 36912APPLIED MUSIC GUITAR Minimum Total Credit Hours: 27 - 1
A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
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Bachelor of Arts students are restricted to taking 2-credit hour applied music sections, which include a 60-minute group practice and 60-minute private lesson. Students in the Jazz Studies concentration must take one semester and 2 credit hours of applied music and two semesters and 4 credit hours of MUS 36011.
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MUS 36011 (senior recital) may be used to satisfy the Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR), with approval.
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Major ensemble: Students in the Jazz Studies concentration take one semester of major ensemble, four semesters of MUS 45231 and four semesters of MUS 45312. Voice students in the Jazz Studies concentration replace MUS 45231 with MUS 45313.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements Summary Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA 2.250 2.000 - Minimum C grade in all music courses
- Completion of a senior recital or MUS 48598
- Attendance at minimum 80 concerts or recitals for students who begin the program as first-semester freshmen (students who transferred from a non-music program or university must attend an average of 10 music concerts or recitals for semesters of full-time enrollment)
- , , and will not count as credit for graduation for this program
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Roadmap
On This Page
Roadmaps
Music Major (No Concentration)
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Plan of Study Grid Semester One Credits ! MUS 11121 THEORY I 4 ! MUS 22111 UNDERSTANDING WESTERN MUSIC (KFA) 3 ! MUS 36XXX Applied Music 2 UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 ! Major Ensemble Elective 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Two ! MUS 11122 THEORY II 4 ! MUS 22121 MUSIC AS A WORLD PHENOMENON (DIVG) (KFA) 3 ! MUS 36XXX Applied Music 2 ! Major Ensemble Elective 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 16 Semester Three ! MUS 21111 THEORY III 4 ! MUS 36XXX Applied Music 2 ! Major Ensemble Elective 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Elective 3 Credit Hours 16 Semester Four ! MUS 21112 THEORY IV 4 ! MUS 36XXX Applied Music 2 ! Major Ensemble Elective 1 Piano Class Elective 1-2 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Elective 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Five CA 31300 MUSIC CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2 ! MUS 32211 WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY I 3 MUS 34111 INTRODUCTION TO CONDUCTING 2 ! MUS 36XXX Applied Music 2 ! Major Ensemble Elective 1 Piano Class Elective 0-1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Elective 1 Credit Hours 15 Semester Six ! MUS 32212 WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY II (WIC) 3 ! MUS 36XXX Applied Music 2 ! Major Ensemble Elective 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Electives 6 Credit Hours 15 Semester Seven ! Major Ensemble Elective 1 Senior Recital or Research Elective 2 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Electives 10 Credit Hours 16 Semester Eight Successful completion of a major-field achievement test in music history and music theory ! Major Ensemble Elective 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Electives 10 Credit Hours 14 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 Contemporary Popular Music Concentration
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Plan of Study Grid Semester One Credits ! MUS 11121 THEORY I 4 ! MUS 22111 UNDERSTANDING WESTERN MUSIC (KFA) 3 UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 Applied Music Elective 2 ! Major Ensemble or MUS 35213 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Two ! MUS 11122 THEORY II 4 ! MUS 22121 MUSIC AS A WORLD PHENOMENON (DIVG) (KFA) 3 Applied Music Elective 2 ! Major Ensemble or MUS 35213 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 16 Semester Three ! MUS 21111 THEORY III 4 ! Composition or Applied Studio Musicianship Elective 2 ! Major Ensemble or MUS 35213 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Elective 3 Credit Hours 16 Semester Four ! MUS 21112 THEORY IV 4 ! Composition or Applied Studio Musicianship Elective 2 ! Major Ensemble or MUS 35213 1 Piano Class Elective 1-2 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Elective 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Five CA 31300 MUSIC CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2 ! MUS 21341 CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC THEORY 3 MUS 34111 INTRODUCTION TO CONDUCTING 2 ! Composition or Applied Studio Musicianship Elective 2 ! Major Ensemble or MUS 35213 1 Piano Class Elective 0-1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Elective 1 Credit Hours 15 Semester Six ! Composition or Applied Studio Musicianship Elective 2 ! Major Ensemble or MUS 35213 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Electives 9 Credit Hours 15 Semester Seven MUS 36913 or MUS 48598APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP or MUSIC RESEARCH (ELR)2 MUS 42165 HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC (DIVD) (WIC) 3 ! Major Ensemble or MUS 35213 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Electives 7 Credit Hours 16 Semester Eight Successful completion of a major-field achievement test in music history and music theory ! Major Ensemble or MUS 35213 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Electives 10 Credit Hours 14 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 Jazz Studies Concentration
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Plan of Study Grid Semester One Credits ! MUS 11121 THEORY I 4 ! MUS 22111 UNDERSTANDING WESTERN MUSIC (KFA) 3 MUS 41341 JAZZ IMPROVISATION I 1 MUS 45231 or MUS 45312
or MUS 45313JAZZ ENSEMBLE or JAZZ COMBO DEVELOPMENT
or NOVA JAZZ SINGERS1 UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 Applied Music Elective 2 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 Semester Two ! MUS 11122 THEORY II 4 ! MUS 22121 MUSIC AS A WORLD PHENOMENON (DIVG) (KFA) 3 MUS 45231 or MUS 45312
or MUS 45313JAZZ ENSEMBLE or JAZZ COMBO DEVELOPMENT
or NOVA JAZZ SINGERS1 Applied Music Elective 2 Piano Class Elective 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Three ! MUS 21111 THEORY III 4 MUS 45231 or MUS 45312
or MUS 45313JAZZ ENSEMBLE or JAZZ COMBO DEVELOPMENT
or NOVA JAZZ SINGERS1 Piano Class Elective 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Elective 3 Credit Hours 15 Semester Four MUS 17013 FUNDAMENTALS OF JAZZ PIANO 1 ! MUS 21112 THEORY IV 4 MUS 41351 JAZZ IMPROVISATION II 1 MUS 45231 or MUS 45312
or MUS 45313JAZZ ENSEMBLE or JAZZ COMBO DEVELOPMENT
or NOVA JAZZ SINGERS1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Elective 3 Credit Hours 16 Semester Five CA 31300 MUSIC CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2 MUS 34111 INTRODUCTION TO CONDUCTING 2 MUS 42162 JAZZ STYLES AND ANALYSIS 3 MUS 45231 or MUS 45312
or MUS 45313JAZZ ENSEMBLE or JAZZ COMBO DEVELOPMENT
or NOVA JAZZ SINGERS1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Elective 1 Credit Hours 15 Semester Six MUS 41342 JAZZ COMPOSING AND ARRANGING 2 MUS 45231 or MUS 45312
or MUS 45313JAZZ ENSEMBLE or JAZZ COMBO DEVELOPMENT
or NOVA JAZZ SINGERS1 Applied Music Elective 2 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Electives 6 Credit Hours 14 Semester Seven MUS 36011 or MUS 48598APPLIED MUSIC JAZZ or MUSIC RESEARCH (ELR)2 MUS 45231 or MUS 45312
or MUS 45313JAZZ ENSEMBLE or JAZZ COMBO DEVELOPMENT
or NOVA JAZZ SINGERS1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Non-Music Electives 10 Credit Hours 16 Semester Eight Successful completion of a major-field achievement test in music history and music theory ENGR 31000 CULTURAL DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY (DIVD) (WIC) 3 MUS 45231 or MUS 45312
or MUS 45313JAZZ ENSEMBLE or JAZZ COMBO DEVELOPMENT
or NOVA JAZZ SINGERS1 Major Ensemble Elective 1 Non-Music Electives 10 Credit Hours 15 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 -
Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus (no concentration and Jazz Studies concentration)
- Stark Campus (Contemporary Popular Music concentration only)
Applications to the Jazz Studies concentration are not being accepted for academic year 2024-2025. Applications are being accepted for the fall 2025 admission term.
- Delivery:
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Accreditation
for Music - B.A.
National Association of Schools of Music
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Music - B.A.
Those who complete the Bachelor of Arts in Music at ºÚÁÏÍø can benefit from specialized career opportunities in the music industry.
Your future career and advanced study possibilities are wide, with several recent alumni pursuing post-graduation paths in:
- Arts Management and Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Music Therapy
- Music Performance or Academic Music Studies
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Musicians and singers
0.9%
little or no change
175,600
number of jobs
$N/A
potential earnings
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Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
3.8%
about as fast as the average
1,050,800
number of jobs
$62,870
potential earnings
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Additional Careers
- Music and singing teachers at community colleges, colleges and universities and art institutes
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Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.