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Music - B.A.

Kent State'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.

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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.

Undergraduate Audition Information

Program Information for Music - B.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music gives students an opportunity to earn a degree in music that aligns with their future musical and career goals and explore interdisciplinary opportunities by declaring a minor of their choice.

The Music major includes the following optional concentration:

  • The Jazz Studies concentration provides students who are focused on jazz the opportunity to take coursework in improvisation, composing and arranging, and fully explore their creativity in music making.

Students in this program are encouraged to craft their major to serve their professional futures. Musicians may pair this major with a minor in areas that include, but are not limited to, media, digital music production, psychology, audiology, entrepreneurship, music technology and more.

Admissions for Music - B.A.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

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 are required to do a program/scholarship audition. Information regarding audition days and requirements can be found at https://www.kent.edu/music/undergraduate-audition, or inquiries can be sent to musicadmission@kent.edu.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Work conceptually, aurally and creatively with elements of music such as melody, harmony, form, rhythm and texture.
  2. Interpret and perform music from a multitude of diverse musical styles, composers and eras through solo, small group and large group performances.
  3. Apply their musical knowledge/skills in an interdisciplinary fashion with an area/areas of their choice.

Coursework

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Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C grade required in all courses)
MUS 11121THEORY I 14
MUS 11122THEORY II 4
MUS 17013FUNDAMENTALS OF JAZZ PIANO 1
or MUS 17112 PIANO CLASS II
MUS 17111PIANO CLASS I 21
MUS 21111THEORY III 4
MUS 21112THEORY IV 4
MUS 32211WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY I 3
MUS 32212WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY II (WIC) 33
MUS 38599RECITAL (ELR) 41
or MUS 48598 MUSIC RESEARCH (ELR)
Music Elective, choose from the following:3
MUS 41291
SEMINAR IN POST-TONAL AND RECENT MUSIC
MUS 41391
SEMINAR IN TONAL AND PRE-TONAL MUSIC THEORY
MUS 42131
MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
MUS 42221
SYMPHONIC LITERATURE
MUS 42227
WIND BAND LITERATURE
MUS 42241
PIANO LITERATURE
MUS 42261
VOCAL LITERATURE
MUS 42271
CHORAL LITERATURE
MUS 42291
SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
MUS 48610
SINGER'S DICTION
Non-Western and Small Ensemble Electives, choose from the following:3
MUS 45131
KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP
MUS 45151
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR
MUS 45231
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
MUS 45251
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
MUS 45271
NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE
MUS 45301
AFRICAN ENSEMBLE (DIVG)
MUS 45302
CARIBBEAN STEELBAND (DIVG)
MUS 45311
CHAMBER MUSIC
MUS 45313
NOVA JAZZ SINGERS
MUS 45315
ASIAN MUSIC ENSEMBLE (DIVG)
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
CA 20005INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS IN THE ARTS 2
or CA 31300 MUSIC CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional6
Minor and Non-Music Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 121 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 527
Additional Requirements or Concentration
Choose from the following:23
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Jazz Studies Concentration
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

Music Theory Placement Test score of 02 is required.

2

Placement test required. Students who pass the placement exam will replace MUS 17111 with a 1-credit hour music (MUS) elective.

3

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

4

Students must complete six semesters of applied music in their auditioned area before taking MUS 38599 or MUS 48598.

5

Students in the B.A Music program are required to declare and complete a minor. The number of credit hours required to complete the minor depends on the minor selected.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Additional Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C grade required in all courses)
Applied Music Electives, choose from the following: 112
MUS 31211
COMPOSITION
MUS 36111
APPLIED MUSIC PIANO
MUS 36311
APPLIED MUSIC VOICE
MUS 36411
APPLIED MUSIC VIOLIN
MUS 36412
APPLIED MUSIC VIOLA
MUS 36413
APPLIED MUSIC CELLO
MUS 36414
APPLIED MUSIC DOUBLE BASS
MUS 36511
APPLIED MUSIC FLUTE
MUS 36512
APPLIED MUSIC OBOE
MUS 36513
APPLIED MUSIC CLARINET
MUS 36514
APPLIED MUSIC BASSOON
MUS 36515
APPLIED MUSIC SAXOPHONE
MUS 36611
APPLIED MUSIC TRUMPET
MUS 36612
APPLIED MUSIC HORN
MUS 36613
APPLIED MUSIC TROMBONE
MUS 36614
APPLIED MUSIC EUPHONIUM
MUS 36615
APPLIED MUSIC TUBA
MUS 36711
APPLIED MUSIC PERCUSSION
MUS 36912
APPLIED MUSIC GUITAR
Creative Music Elective, choose from the following:3
MUS 21113
MUSIC PRODUCTION I
MUS 21213
CLASS COMPOSITION I
MUS 34111
INTRODUCTION TO CONDUCTING
MUS 41341
JAZZ IMPROVISATION I
MUS 41351
JAZZ IMPROVISATION II
Large Ensemble Electives, choose from the following: 28
MUS 45141
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE
MUS 45142
CORO CANTARE
MUS 45143
CANTIQUE
MUS 45212
ORCHESTRA
MUS 45221
SYMPHONY BAND
MUS 45223
WIND ENSEMBLE
Minimum Total Credit Hours:23
1

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 in the auditioned area. Students must meet the B.A. Applied Music Proficiency Threshold by the end of the sixth semester of applied music.

2

Students must enroll in a large ensemble appropriate to their performance area.

Jazz Studies Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C grade required in all courses)
MUS 34111INTRODUCTION TO CONDUCTING 1
MUS 36011APPLIED MUSIC JAZZ (taken three times)6
MUS 41341JAZZ IMPROVISATION I 1
MUS 41342JAZZ COMPOSING AND ARRANGING 2
MUS 41351JAZZ IMPROVISATION II 1
MUS 42162JAZZ STYLES AND ANALYSIS 3
Applied Music Elective, choose from the following: 12
MUS 36111
APPLIED MUSIC PIANO
MUS 36311
APPLIED MUSIC VOICE
MUS 36411
APPLIED MUSIC VIOLIN
MUS 36412
APPLIED MUSIC VIOLA
MUS 36413
APPLIED MUSIC CELLO
MUS 36414
APPLIED MUSIC DOUBLE BASS
MUS 36511
APPLIED MUSIC FLUTE
MUS 36512
APPLIED MUSIC OBOE
MUS 36513
APPLIED MUSIC CLARINET
MUS 36514
APPLIED MUSIC BASSOON
MUS 36515
APPLIED MUSIC SAXOPHONE
MUS 36611
APPLIED MUSIC TRUMPET
MUS 36612
APPLIED MUSIC HORN
MUS 36613
APPLIED MUSIC TROMBONE
MUS 36614
APPLIED MUSIC EUPHONIUM
MUS 36615
APPLIED MUSIC TUBA
MUS 36711
APPLIED MUSIC PERCUSSION
MUS 36912
APPLIED MUSIC GUITAR
Ensemble Electives, choose from the following:7
MUS 45231
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
MUS 45312
JAZZ COMBO DEVELOPMENT
MUS 45313
NOVA JAZZ SINGERS
Minimum Total Credit Hours:23
1

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 declaring the Jazz Studies concentration must take one semester and 2 credit hours of applied music in the auditioned area during their freshman year.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.250 2.000
Roadmap

Roadmap

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Roadmaps

Music Major (No Concentration)

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

 
Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
MUS 11121 THEORY I 4
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Applied Music Elective 2
Large Ensemble Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
MUS 11122 THEORY II 4
MUS 17111 PIANO CLASS I 1
Applied Music Elective 2
Large Ensemble Elective 1
Non-Western and Small Ensemble Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
MUS 17013
or MUS 17112
 FUNDAMENTALS OF JAZZ PIANO
or PIANO CLASS II
1
MUS 21111 THEORY III 4
Applied Music Elective 2
Large Ensemble Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Four
MUS 21112 THEORY IV 4
Applied Music Elective 2
Large Ensemble Elective 1
Non-Western and Small Ensemble Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Minor or Non-Music Elective 1
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
MUS 32211 WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY I 3
Applied Music Elective 2
Creative Music or Minor Elective 3
Large Ensemble Elective 1
Music or Minor Elective 3
Non-Western and Small Ensemble Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Six
MUS 32212 WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY II (WIC) 3
MUS 38599
or MUS 48598
 RECITAL (ELR)
or MUSIC RESEARCH (ELR)
1
Applied Music Elective 2
Creative Music or Minor Elective 3
Large Ensemble Elective 1
Music or Minor Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Seven
CA 20005
or CA 31300
 INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS IN THE ARTS
or MUSIC CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
2
or Non-Music Elective
 
Creative Music or Minor Elective 3
Large Ensemble Elective 1
Music or Minor Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Minor or Non-Music Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
CA 20005
or CA 31300
 INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS IN THE ARTS
or MUSIC CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
2
or Non-Music Elective
 
Creative Music or Minor Elective 3
Large Ensemble Elective 1
Music or Minor Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Minor or Non-Music Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Jazz Studies Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
MUS 11121 THEORY I 4
MUS 41341 JAZZ IMPROVISATION I 1
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Applied Music Elective 2
Ensemble Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Two
MUS 11122 THEORY II 4
MUS 17111 PIANO CLASS I 1
MUS 36011 APPLIED MUSIC JAZZ 2
MUS 41351 JAZZ IMPROVISATION II 1
or Non-Western and Small Ensemble Elective
 
Ensemble Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
MUS 17013
or MUS 17112
 FUNDAMENTALS OF JAZZ PIANO
or PIANO CLASS II
1
MUS 21111 THEORY III 4
MUS 36011 APPLIED MUSIC JAZZ 2
Ensemble Elective 1
Non-Western and Small Ensemble Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
MUS 21112 THEORY IV 4
MUS 36011 APPLIED MUSIC JAZZ 2
MUS 41351 JAZZ IMPROVISATION II 1
or Non-Western and Small Ensemble Elective
 
Ensemble Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Minor or Non-Music Elective 1
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
MUS 32211 WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY I 3
MUS 34111 INTRODUCTION TO CONDUCTING 1
MUS 41342 JAZZ COMPOSING AND ARRANGING 2
or Non-Music Elective
 
Ensemble Elective 1
Music or Minor Elective 3
Non-Western and Small Ensemble Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Six
MUS 32212 WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY II (WIC) 3
MUS 42162 JAZZ STYLES AND ANALYSIS 3
or Non-Music Elective
 
Creative Music or Minor Elective 1
Ensemble Elective 1
Music or Minor Elective 3
Non-Music Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
CA 20005
or CA 31300
 INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS IN THE ARTS
or MUSIC CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
2
or Non-Music Elective
 
MUS 41342 JAZZ COMPOSING AND ARRANGING 2
or Non-Music Elective
 
Ensemble Elective 1
Music or Minor Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Minor or Non-Music Electives 4
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
CA 20005
or CA 31300
 INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS IN THE ARTS
or MUSIC CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
2
or Non-Music Elective
 
MUS 38599
or MUS 48598
 RECITAL (ELR)
or MUSIC RESEARCH (ELR)
1
MUS 42162 JAZZ STYLES AND ANALYSIS 3
or Non-Music Elective
 
Music or Minor Electives 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
Minor or Non-Music Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Accreditation for Music - B.A.

Accreditation

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 Kent State University 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
Musicians and singers

0.9%

little or no change

175,600

number of jobs

$N/A

potential earnings

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

Additional Careers
  • Music and singing teachers at community colleges, colleges and universities and art institutes
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. 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.
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