Our BA in Music degree has been completely reimagined to encourage lifelong growth and talent development and to address a wide range of vocational skills as a reality of working musicians in the 21st century. We have created a student-driven and project-focused curriculum that reflects and engages with the professional music-making culture in Seattle and across the nation.
- In this program, you will learn to recognize the interrelationship between music and the other creative arts.
- You can choose from four areas within the BA in Music degree — Composition, Performance, Recording, or Research.
- A minimum 83–86 credits are required for these project-based concentrations, including 37 upper-division credits.
- Students completing Music: Performance (vocal version) must complete MUS 2261 the Singer’s Art II, for 86 credits total in the major.
- Piano proficiency is required for graduation for all Music majors.
- If you are enrolled in “Music Theory I–II” or any Creative Engagement course, you may be required to enroll in MUS 2200 until you can pass the Keyboard Proficiency Exam.
- All students generate a professional-level project in their senior year that synthesizes their learning, builds their portfolio, and reflects their identity as a musician and artist. It is our goal that you walk out of your time at SPU Music with your career already started.
Entering and completing a Music major
In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major or minor, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.
Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) and minor(s) by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified the Music major as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major or minor, follow these instructions.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major or minor in this department.
- Students on academic probation (with an SPU cumulative GPA below 2.0) will not be permitted to enter a new major or minor until they regain good academic standing.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major or minor; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major or minor.
- You must complete the major or minor requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major or minor.
Time Schedule:
Course planning: Suggested course sequences