Banner Code: AR-BA-MUSI

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 120

Mason Core

Foundation Requirements
Quantitative Reasoning (Mathematics)3
ENGH 101Composition (Mason Core) 13
ENGH 302Advanced Composition (Mason Core) 13
Oral Communication 23
Core Requirements
Literature 33
Natural Science 3,47
Global History3
Social or Behavioral Sciences 33
Global Contexts 53
Total Credits31
1

Nonnative speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGH 100 Composition for Multilingual Writers (Mason Core) for ENGH 101 Composition (Mason Core). Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGH 100 Composition for Multilingual Writers (Mason Core) or ENGH 101 Composition (Mason Core), as well as in ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core), to fulfill degree requirements.

2

All students excluding those in the Music Technology, Pedagogy, and Audio Engineering & Sound Design concentrations must take MUSI 251 Musical/Oral Communication

3

Also have significant elective choices as per Mason Core listing.

4

Two classes; one must contain a lab. 

5

All students excluding those in the Music Technology, Pedagogy, and Audio Engineering & Sound Design concentrations must take MUSI 431 Music History in Society III (Mason Core)

Remaining Mason Core requirements are fulfilled with major coursework.

Additional Non-Major coursework

One of the following:0-18
Intermediate-level language proficiency 1
Minor 2
Double Major 2
Double Degree 2
Total Credits0-18
1

See CVPA Requirements and Policies for details regarding foreign language requirement.

2

In a discipline other than music.

Music Major

Musicianship
MUSI 113Aural Skills I1
One credit of1
Aural Skills II
MUSI 115Introduction to Music Theory 3
MUSI 171Keyboard Skills I 11
MUSI 215Theory for Pop and Jazz Music (Required for students in the Music Technology and Audio Engineering & Sound Design concentrations)3
or MUSI 216 Theory for 20th- and 21st-Century Music
or MUSI 217 Theory for 18th-Century Music
MUSI 172Keyboard Skills II 21
Music History Courses
Music Technology concentration students:9
Music History in Society A
Music History in Society B (Mason Core) 3
Music History in Society C
Audio Engineering & Sound Design Concentration Students:9
Music History in Society B (Mason Core) (Meets Writing Intensive requirement in the BA with a concentration in Audio Engineering & Sound Design)
Music History in Society C
Select one course from the following:
Popular Music in America (Mason Core)
Jazz and Blues in America (Mason Core)
Music History in Society A
Music History in Society III (Mason Core)
All other students:6
Select three credits from the following:
Music History in Society I
Topics in Ethnomusicology
Topics in Musicology
Music History in Society IV
MUSI 332Music History in Society II (Mason Core) 43
Performance and Music Electives
Five semesters of0
Recital Attendance
All students except Music Technology Concentration Students and Audio Engineering & Sound Design Concentration Students:
MUSI 490RS: Musical Communication in Context (Mason Core)3
Music Technology Concentration Students and Audio Engineering & Sound Design Concentration Students only:
MUSI 489Music Technology Capstone (Mason Core)3
Music Technology Concentration Students and Audio Engineering & Sound Design Concentration Students only:
Any Mason Core IT course3
All other students:
MUSI 259Music in Computer Technology (Mason Core)3
Electives
Music Technology students only:
Non-MUSI elective2
All students excluding those in the Music Technology, Pedagogy, and Audio Engineering & Sound Design concentrations:12-13
Applied Music Options (list follows) 56-8
Music Ensemble (list follows)3
1

Pianists may substitute MUSI 371 Techniques of Accompanying I for MUSI 171 Keyboard Skills I

2

Pianists may substitute MUSI 372 Techniques of Accompanying II for MUSI 172 Keyboard Skills II

3

Meets Writing Intensive requirement in the BA in Music with a concentration in Music Technology.

4

Meets Writing Intensive requirement in the BA in Music (all concentrations except Music Technology and Audio Engineering & Sound Design).

5

Students in the Music Technology and Audio Engineering & Sound Design concentrations should take 6 credits of Applied Music. All others should take 8 credits.

General Pedagogy Requirement

All students (except for Music Technology, Pedagogy, and Audio Engineering & Sound Design Concentration students) must register for a pedagogy and literature class appropriate to their major instrument or register for a teaching internship.

Select one from the following:0-3
Teaching Internship (2 credits)
Keyboard Pedagogy 1
Vocal Pedagogy and Lab 2
Instrumental Pedagogy and Literature 3
Total Credits0-3
1

Required for keyboard students. 

2

Required for vocal students.

3

Topic varies; students must register for the topic corresponding with their major instrument. Required for strings and guitar students; recommended for wind, brass, or percussion students.

Concentration in Music Technology (MTEC)

Students pursuing this concentration may not also pursue the Music and Technology minor. Students who wish to complete a concentration in music technology must also complete the following:

MUSI 252Popular Music Arranging3
MUSI 254Music and Technology3
MUSI 354Electronic Composition3
MUSI 355Recording Techniques3
MUSI 359Topics in Music Technology3
Total Credits15

Concentration in Pedagogy (PDGY)

Students pursuing this concentration may not also pursue the Music and Technology minor. Students who wish to complete a concentration in pedagogy must also complete the following:

MUSI 351Keyboard Pedagogy3
or MUSI 352 Vocal Pedagogy and Lab
or MUSI 353 Instrumental Pedagogy and Literature
MUSI 456Pedagogy II 12
MUSI 457Pedagogy III 12
MUSI 458Pedagogy IV2
MUSI 494Pedagogy Internship2
Choose four credits from the following:4
Applied Music I
Applied Music in Keyboard
Applied Music in Voice
Applied Music in Woodwind
Applied Music in Brass
Applied Music in String
Applied Music in Percussion
Applied Music II
Applied Music in Keyboard
Applied Music in Voice
Applied Music in Woodwind
Applied Music in Brass
Applied Music in String
Applied Music in Percussion
Wind Symphony (Mason Core)
University Chorale (Mason Core)
Piano Ensemble (Mason Core)
Symphonic Band (Mason Core)
Chamber Singers (Mason Core)
Symphony Orchestra (Mason Core)
Jazz Ensemble (Mason Core)
Applied Music III
Private Music Instruction III
Applied Music in Keyboard
Applied Music in Voice
Applied Music in Woodwind
Applied Music in Brass
Applied Music in String
Applied Music in Percussion
Chamber Ensembles (Mason Core)
Choose three credits from the following:3
The Arts and Community Engagement
Relational Communication Theory
Perspectives on Achievement Motivation (Mason Core)
Human Growth and Development
Entrepreneurship: Starting and Managing a New Enterprise
Lifespan Development (Mason Core)
Total Credits18
1

Keyboard concentrators substitute MUSI 451 Keyboard Pedagogy II and 1 credit of MUSI elective for MUSI 456 Pedagogy II and MUSI 457 Pedagogy III.  

 Concentration in Audio Engineering & Sound Design (AESD)

MUSI 254Music and Technology3
MUSI 355Recording Techniques3
THR 315Sound Engineering3
FAVS 333Sound Editing and Recording3
THR 337Sound Design3
AVT 374Sound Art I3
Choose nine credits from the following:9
Event Technical Production
Electronic Composition
Event Logistics
Topics in Music Technology
Writing and Editing Music and Sound
Advanced Sound Engineering
Advanced Sound
Advanced Sound Design
Sound Art II
Total Credits27

General Electives

Select the amount of elective credit corresponding with degree path: 1
Music Technology Concentration students20-38
Pedagogy Concentration students20-38
Audio Engineering & Sound Design Concentration students8-28
All other students21-41
1

Electives for all students excluding Pedagogy Concentration students may not include additional music courses. Pedagogy Concentration students may apply no more than 54 credits of MUSI courses to their degree. 

Applied Music Options 

See Music advisor for registration permission and options.
MUSI 220Applied Music in Music Technology1
MUSI 221Applied Music I1
MUSI 222Applied Music in Keyboard1
MUSI 223Applied Music in Voice1
MUSI 224Applied Music in Woodwind1
MUSI 225Applied Music in Brass1
MUSI 226Applied Music in String1
MUSI 227Applied Music in Percussion1
MUSI 228Applied Music in Composition1
MUSI 240Applied Music in Music Technology2
MUSI 242Applied Music in Keyboard2
MUSI 243Applied Music in Voice2
MUSI 244Applied Music in Woodwind2
MUSI 245Applied Music in Brass2
MUSI 246Applied Music in String2
MUSI 247Applied Music in Percussion2
MUSI 248Applied Music in Composition2
MUSI 440Applied Music in Music Technology3
MUSI 442Applied Music in Keyboard2-3
MUSI 443Applied Music in Voice2-3
MUSI 444Applied Music in Woodwind2-3
MUSI 445Applied Music in Brass2-3
MUSI 446Applied Music in String2-3
MUSI 447Applied Music in Percussion2-3
MUSI 448Applied Music in Composition2-3

Music Ensemble Options

MUSI 380Wind Symphony (Mason Core)1
MUSI 381University Chorale (Mason Core)1
MUSI 382Piano Ensemble (Mason Core)1
MUSI 383Symphonic Band (Mason Core)1
MUSI 385Chamber Singers (Mason Core)1
MUSI 387Symphony Orchestra (Mason Core)1
MUSI 389Jazz Ensemble (Mason Core)1
MUSI 485Chamber Ensembles (Mason Core)1
MUSI 280Athletic and Ceremonial Ensemble (Mason Core) For Music Technology Students only1

Bachelor of Arts in Music Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan below is a recommended sequencing of courses based on prerequisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
ENGH 1013Literature (Mason Core)3
MATH 1063Natural Science Non-Lab (Mason Core)3
MUSI 1131MUSI 1141
MUSI 1153MUSI 1721
MUSI 1711MUSI 217, 216, or 2153
MUSI 22X Applied Music Lessons1MUSI 22X Applied Music Lessons1
MUSI 2593MUSI 2513
MUSI 3000MUSI 3000
Ensemble1Ensemble1
 16 16
Total Credits 32

Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://cvpa.gmu.edu/academics/undergraduate-student-resources

Concentration in Audio Engineering/Sound Design

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
ENGH 1013Literature (Mason Core)3
MATH 1063Social/Behavioral Science (Mason Core)3
MUSI 1131MUSI 1141
MUSI 1153MUSI 1721
MUSI 1711MUSI 2153
MUSI 22X Applied Music Lessons1MUSI 22X Applied Music Lessons1
MUSI 2543MUSI 3000
MUSI 3000MUSI 3553
Ensemble1Ensemble1
 16 16
Total Credits 32

Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://cvpa.gmu.edu/academics/undergraduate-student-resources

Concentration in Music Technology 

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
ENGH 1013Literature (Mason Core)3
MATH 1063Social/Behavioral Science (Mason Core)3
MUSI 1131MUSI 1141
MUSI 1153MUSI 1721
MUSI 1711MUSI 2153
MUSI 22X Applied Music Lessons1MUSI 22X Applied Music Lessons1
MUSI 2543MUSI 3000
MUSI 3000MUSI 3553
Ensemble1Ensemble1
 16 16
Total Credits 32

Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://cvpa.gmu.edu/academics/undergraduate-student-resources

Music, BA/Arts Management, Accelerated MA

Overview

Academically strong undergraduates in Music may apply to the accelerated Master’s Degree in Arts Management.  If accepted, students will be able to earn a Music, BA and an Arts Management, MA after satisfactory completion of 150 credits. 

For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.  

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Graduate Admission Policies section of this catalog. 

Students are eligible to apply for this accelerated program once they have earned at least 60 undergraduate credits. After successfully completing 75 undergraduate credits, students must use at least 3 and no more than 12 credits of advanced standing courses (see below) to both complete the bachelor’s degree and begin the masters. An additional six credits may be held in reserve for the master’s degree, but cannot be used to complete the bachelors.  

Important information on how to apply for this accelerated master's program can be found in the University’s Accelerated Master’s Application Guide.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

Undergraduate students admitted to the accelerated master’s program pathway will be fully admitted into the MA program if they meet the following requirements, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form: 

  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.00 
  • Completion of specific undergraduate coursework 
  • Successfully meet Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and complete the application for graduation 
  • Minimum grade of B in each advanced standing course
  • Submission of BAM Transition Form to the School of Music advisor at the beginning of student’s final undergraduate semester . Full details can be found at AP.6.7.3

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students in the Accelerated Pathway must choose from the following Advanced Standing courses, which can be taken as Advanced Standing or Reserve Graduate credit courses. Reserve Graduate credit course options cannot be taken as Advanced Standing. A minimum grade of B is required.

Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits with a minimum grade of B in each)
AMGT 602Seminar in Arts Management3
AMGT 601Fund Raising/Development I3
AMGT 604Public Relations and Marketing Strategies for the Arts I3
AMGT 605Finance and Budgeting for Arts I3
Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
AMGT 603The Arts in Society 13
AMGT 606Governance and Financial Management 23
1

Prerequisite: AMGT 602 Seminar in Arts Management

2

Prerequisite: AMGT 605 Finance and Budgeting for Arts I

For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees