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 | MUTH 101 | MUSY 2XX MUTH 102 |
| 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