Music, BA

Department of Music, College of Fine and Performing Arts

60 Credits

Introduction

The Music BA is a liberal arts degree in music, including a basic core of study in music theory, aural skills, and history, along with private instruction, and ensemble performance. At 60 credits, this program allows a student the flexibility to pursue an additional major or minor. 

Contact Information

Program Coordinator Undergraduate Academic Advisor Lee Anne Frahn Performing Arts 263 360-650-4091 LeeAnne.Frahn@wwu.edu

Department Chair Tim Fitzpatrick Performing Arts 043 360-650-3772 fitzpat@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Applied Instrumental or Voice Instructor | Arts Administration Manager | Music Reporter | Recreation Director | Publicist | Music Promoter | Church Music Director | Music Critic | Professional Musician

Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

Admission and Declaration Process:

General WWU vs. Music Admissions: Acceptance to the Music Department does not guarantee admission to the university. Decisions related to general admissions are completed independently by the University. Students may request and complete a music audition regardless of their admissions decision from the WWU admissions office. 

Admissions/Auditions: All students must successfully complete an entrance audition on their primary instrument or voice to begin academic coursework towards all music degree programs. Please visit our website for priority audition dates. Students who audition after these priority dates will be considered on a space-available basis. Due to the sequential nature of our curriculum, mid-year applicants are not recommended or guaranteed to be granted an audition. Students electing to begin in a quarter other than fall quarter should seek advisement from the Program Coordinator before requesting an audition. cfpa.wwu.edu/music/auditions  

Declaration and Advising: All incoming music students will receive advising and curriculum planning with the Program Coordinator during orientation sessions and/or by appointment. Declaring a music major or minor is required to access all academic coursework. Overrides will be entered prior to orientation and/or by appointment to obtain access to all program restricted courses before declarations have been processed. Please see below for more details. 

• Freshman: Freshmen will declare their music major during Fall Advising & Orientation. Students who intend to double-major may be placed into another advising session if deemed appropriate by the Program Coordinator. Students intending to double-major will be asked to notify the Program Coordinator before Fall Advising & Orientation. These students will receive an email prior to Fall A&O with specific instructions for music registration and declaration.
• Transfer: Transfer students will declare their music major during Transitions, or by appointment with the Program Coordinator. Declaring a music major or minor is required to obtain access to all major restricted courses. Overrides will be entered prior to Transitions, or by appointment to give preliminary access to major restricted courses before major declarations are processed. 
• Returning Students: Returning students will declare their music major by appointment with the Program Coordinator. Returning students should contact the Program Coordinator prior to registration to obtain access to major restricted courses.  

Graduation Timeline: Due to the sequential nature of our core curriculum, we strongly recommend that all students considering a Bachelor of Arts in Music begin our academic sequences fall quarter of their first or second year. Our Bachelor of Arts degree is structured around a core curriculum that takes approximately three years to complete. Please note, the approximate graduation timeline does not apply to all students, and is dependent on each student’s incoming status, eligibility for course equivalency assessments, and academic progress within the department.

Course Equivalency Assessments: We offer three separate assessments to determine equivalency and placement in our two-year core sequence of music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills for those who have successfully completed an entrance audition into our program. After assessments are complete the Program Coordinator will adjust course equivalency on each student’s TER (Transfer Equivalency Report), if required. All other music course equivalency will be determined by the admissions office and will not require an assessment, e.g., music ensembles, applied lessons, survey courses, etc.

• Eligibility: Transfer students and freshmen are eligible for corresponding assessments if they have transferable credits in music theory, aural skills/ear training, and keyboarding skills/class piano. Combined courses with multiple topics will qualify for separate corresponding assessments. Incoming transfer students and freshman who achieved a 3 or higher on the AP Theory Exam are eligible for the music theory and aural skills assessments only. Students without transferable credits in keyboarding will be required to complete all keyboarding courses. Those with extensive piano lesson experience will enroll in an accelerated advanced keyboarding section along with piano majors and minors.
• Scheduling: Fall quarter assessments in music theory and aural skills will be scheduled online in July each year, keyboarding assessments will be scheduled online in the summer and in person directly before the academic year begins. Further details will be sent individually to students after the fall enrollment confirmation deadline for the university. Students attempting to begin in winter and spring quarters should contact the Program Coordinator to determine eligibility.
• Course Equivalency Assessment Advising: Students are encouraged to use study materials from previous institutions or exams to prepare for the assessments. Students will be sent a series of assessment topics but will not be supplied with study materials. Students should be advised that they are not guaranteed to enter at their expected level and may be required to repeat courses previously taken at other institutions. All credits received in music theory, aural skills, and keyboard skills will be transferred as general credit, and will apply towards total graduation requirements, and/or major requirements contingent on assessment results.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for all courses in the music major and minor. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in music courses is required for graduation with a degree in music.