The Department of Music offers the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.) and Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.). Both provide a secure foundation in the academic and applied study of music. Many majors continue to further study at the graduate level. This does not necessarily mean, however, that all majors will go on to become professional musicians or musicologists. Many use their degrees in music as a more general educational qualification. Music is perhaps unique among the arts and humanities in terms of the wide range of transferable skills developed in the undergraduate curriculum. Musicians learn how to think, to write, to present themselves in public, and to work collaboratively in different kinds of teams. They have intellectual, technical, and social skills that tend to be widely admired by employers in many fields. They have also demonstrated over the long term a determination and commitment, and a desire to succeed, often beyond the norm. With a degree in Music, students will find that many career paths lie before them.

The Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.) program—the standard program, to which everyone is initially admitted—enables students to study music history, music theory, composition, or performance within a curriculum that is flexible enough to allow a second major, study abroad, and other curricular options.

The Bachelor of Music in Performance (B.Mus.) degree—an option available to advanced continuing students on the basis of an audition that is typically taken during the Winter Quarter of the second year—offers highly qualified students the opportunity to specialize in piano performance, vocal performance, performance in the standard orchestral instruments, jazz performance, and guitar and lute performance.

Undergraduate Application Information

Course requirements (UCI Catalog)

For other inquiries, please contact:
John Schneiderman, Undergraduate Director
Office: 207 Music & Media
Phone: (949) 824–4060
Fax: (949) 824-4914
E-mail: j2schnei@uci.edu