Degree Programs

The University of Central Arkansas Department of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Arts – Music
  • Bachelor of Music – Composition
  • Bachelor of Music – Vocal Performance
  • Bachelor of Music – Instrumental Performance
  • Bachelor of Music – Piano Performance
  • Bachelor of Music – Piano Pedagogy
  • Bachelor of Music – Jazz and Studio Music
  • Bachelor of Music Education – Vocal
  • Bachelor of Music Education – Piano/Vocal
  • Bachelor of Music Education – Piano/Instrumental
  • Bachelor of Music Education – Instrumental

UNDERGRADUATE MINOR

  • Minor in Music

Please refer the Department of Music Undergraduate Bulletin page to review detailed information and degree requirements for each undergraduate degree/concentration in music. Helpful undergraduate music degree resources can also be found at uca.edu/music/advising.

GRADUATE DEGREES

  •  Master of Music – Performance
  • Master of Music – Music Theory
  • Master of Music – Conducting
  • Master of Music – Music Education
  • Graduate Certificate – Performance

Please refer to the Department of Music Graduate Bulletin page to review detailed information and degree requirements for each graduate degree/concentration in music.

Graduate students should begin the application process with Graduate Admissions.

DEPARTMENTAL UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

ADMISSION FROM HIGH SCHOOL

• Submit all general materials to the UCA admissions office.
• Submit a Music Department Application.
• Audition in the principal applied area. A satisfactory audition is essential to determine acceptability to the department. No student is allowed to declare any major in music without this audition.
• Audition for placement in piano. Piano proficiency is not required for admission. All students will be placed in an appropriate level of piano instruction. Time and date of placement tests will be sent to all students who pre-register.
• Complete the Basic Musicianship Evaluation, a brief test of rudimentary music skills. Both the audition and the Basic Musicianship Evaluation are vital in the screening process; it is desirable that these take place on campus. This will permit personal interviews and opportunities for applicants to meet students and faculty and to familiarize themselves directly with UCA.

ADMISSION AS A TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER COLLEGE

• Same as admission from high school.
• Examinations in theory and music literature/history are required for placement or verification of transfer credits in music courses.

 

DEPARTMENTAL GRADUATE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to other Graduate School admission requirements:

For performance and conducting areas: An audition with area faculty. Performance in the area of specialization is to reflect the basic proficiency of a college undergraduate.

For vocal performance: Diction and comprehension examinations in French, German, and Italian will be given before or during the first semester, with deficiencies to be cleared before graduation. A score of 70% or higher will be considered satisfactory and no formal review will be necessary; a student who earns a score below 70% will need to take and pass a one-hour review course in the tested language. Possible review courses include MUS 5101 (French Diction Review), MUS 5102 (German Diction Review), and MUS 5103 (Italian Diction Review). MUS 5101, 5102, and 5103 do NOT count toward a graduate degree and may add to a student’s overall course load. These classes DO count toward the requirement to carry 9 hours of graduate credit per semester.

For choral conducting: A video-recorded performance of the applicant’s ensemble. Diction and comprehension exams in French, German, Italian, and Latin, will be given before or during the first semester, with deficiencies to be cleared before graduation. A score of 70% or higher will be considered satisfactory and no formal review will be necessary; a student who earns a score below 70% will need to take and pass a one-hour review course in the tested language. Possible review courses include MUS 5101 (French Diction Review), MUS 5102 (German Diction Review), MUS 5103 (Italian Diction Review), and MUS 5104 (Latin Diction Review). MUS 5101, 5102, 5103, and 5104 do NOT count toward a graduate degree and may add to a student’s overall course load. These classes DO count toward the requirement to carry 9 hours of graduate credit per semester.

For music theory: A score of at least 75% on the University of Central Arkansas Department of Music Theory Diagnostic Exam, to be given before acceptance into the program.

For Music Education: 1.) Link to a video of the applicant’s teaching with students in any grade level or specialization; 2.) Writing sample, which can be any paper from a previous course; and 3.) Audition on major instrument/voice. Auditions are strongly recommended for any applicant who might take applied lessons, perform in an ensemble, or seek a scholarship as part of their study.

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