Academic Advising Resource Center

Musical Studies

Why take courses in Musical Studies?

Musical studies is a partnership between the College of Arts and Sciences and Conservatory of Music, offering students in the College of Arts and Sciences the opportunity to study music from cultural, critical, and creative perspectives. 

What kinds of questions does Musical Studies explore?

  • How do cultures around the world think about and structure music?

  • How is music informed by–and conversely informs–historical, political, cultural, and economic processes? 
  • How can we apply vocabularies and frameworks of theory to music we perform and to music unfamiliar to us?

 

What advice would you give students interested in taking courses in Musical Studies?

Designed for students with deep interest in music as applied in various fields, the program emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and communications skills grounded in practical musical experience.

Taking Courses

Course placement

Please refer to the Conservatory's Placement Tests page, as students who wish to take Aural Skills or Music Theory course must take a placement test.

Courses for non-majors or general interest

  • AAST 171, MUSY 100, MUSY 101, MUTH 101, MUTH 131, TECH 103

Getting started in the major

Students interested in the major should begin with foundations in music theory, musicianship skills, and musicology, and continue more advanced work with a selection of courses chosen to enhance their individual interests.

All majors must participate for at least two semesters in faculty-led music ensembles

    Advanced Placement Credit 

    Students may transfer AP Music Theory (score of 4 or 5) as MUTH 600 (one full course) toward graduation requirements. AP scores do not qualify students for placement within the MUTH sequence. Refer to the AP/IB chart for complete information about AP test scores. 

    Majoring in Musical Studies

    Provided are four examples of how a student could distribute courses required for the major over three or four years. See the catalog for additional details about major requirements.

    Sample Four-Year Plans
      Fall Spring
    Y1 MUTH 101
    MUTH 131    		 MUTH 102
    MUTH 132
    Y2 TECH 103 MUSY 2XX (CD)
    Y3 APST 4XX
    COMP 201    		  
    Y4 MHST 3XX  
      Fall Spring
    Y1 AAST 171 MUSY 101
    Y2   MUSY 2XX
    Y3 MUTH 131
    MUSY 2XX (CD)    		 MUTH 132
    APST 3XX
    Y4 MUSY 3XX (CD) MUSY 3XX (CD)
      Fall Spring
    Y1 MUTH 101
    MUTH 131    		 MUTH 102
    MUTH 132
    Y2 TECH 103
    MUSY 2XX    		 MUSY 2XX (CD)
    ENTH 2XX
    Y3 APST 4XX  
    Y4 MUSY 3XX  
      Fall Spring
    Y1 AAST 171 MUSY 101
    Y2 MUTH 101
    MUTH 120    		 MUTH 102
    MUSY 2XX
    Y3 PACE 131
    MUSY 2XX (CD)    		 MUTH 132
    APST 3XX
    Y4 MUSY 3XX (CD)
    ENTH 3XX    		 MUSY 3XX (CD)
    ENTH 3XX

     

    Related Areas of Study

    Africana Studies; Comparative American Studies; History; Theater  

    Learn More

    Musical Studies Major Requirements
    Musical Studies Department