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 Understanding 53
Total Credits31

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
Double Major 2
Double Degree 2
Total Credits0-18

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 Music Technology Concentration)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 only:9
Music History in Society A
Music History in Society B 3
Music History in Society C
All other students:6
Select from the following for 3 credits
Music History in Society I
Topics in Ethnomusicology
Topics in Musicology
Music History in Society IV
MUSI 332Music History in Society II 43
Performance and Music Electives
Five semesters of0
Recital Attendance
All students except Music Technology Students:
MUSI 490RS: Musical Communication in Context (Mason Core)3
Music Technology students only:
MUSI 489Music Technology Capstone (Mason Core)3
Music Technology 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 Music Technology and Pedagogy students:12-13
Applied Music Options (list follows) 56-8
Music Ensemble (list follows)3

Pedagogy

All students (except for Music Technology  and Pedagogy 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

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

General Electives

Select the amount of elective credit corresponding with degree path: 1
Music Technology students20-38
Pedagogy students20-38
All other students21-41

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 217 or 2163
MUSI 1711MUSI 1721
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://advising.gmu.edu/current-student/majors-at-mason/

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 216 or 2173
MUSI 1711MUSI 1721
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://advising.gmu.edu/current-student/majors-at-mason/

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