Undergraduate Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Music

This program provides a general liberal arts overview of music studies and is combined with a minor or second major of the students choosing to lead to careers in a variety of fields. Potential careers opportunities/fields including music business, music therapy (NOTE: This degree is not the equivalent of a Bachelors degree in Music Therapy. Students must transfer to a full degree granting program prior to graduation and/or complete additional certifications through another institution in order to receive a Music Therapy degree or accreditation.), music history/ethnomusicology, entertainment law, music ministry, arts administration, and music journalism, just to name a few.

Degree plan semester-by-semester outline

• Music
   

Bachelor of Music in Music Studies (with all-level teacher certification)

Bachelor of Music in Performance

This program provides preparation for performance and studio teaching careers as well as graduate studies in all music areas. Concentrations include classical guitar, instrumental - all standard concert ensemble instruments and strings, keyboard, and vocal as well as jazz.

Degree plan semester-by-semester outlines

• Guitar - classical
• Instrumental - classical
• Jazz
• Keyboard - classical
• Vocal - classical
  • An optional minor in Opera (20 hours) can be added to this concentration only. Courses in opera, acting/theatre, dance, and language (Italian, French, or German) make up the Opera minor.
• An optional minor in Music Composition (18 hours) can be added to any concentration (except Composition) in the BM - Performance degree program. Courses in advanced theory, applied composition, and electronic music make up the Composition minor.

Bachelor of Science in Sound Recording Technology

The Sound Recording Technology (SRT) program is the only one of its kind in the Southwest. It trains students to enter into the recording industry in various capacities. Potential careers include music producers, live sound technicians, post-production editors, and much more. Please visit the SRT website for complete information.

Degree plan semester-by-semester outline

• Sound Recording Technology
  • An optional minor in Music Composition (18 hours) can be added to the BS - Sound Recording Technology degree program. Courses in advanced theory, applied composition, and electronic music make up the Composition minor.

Note: Percussionists interested in the SRT degree program may audition on classical percussion instruments or on Drum Set only. However, if a student completes a classical percussion audition and is accepted into the SRT program, their applied lessons will be exclusively on Drum Set. 

Minors

• Minor in Mariachi (18 hours). Available to all students at the university through successful audition and placement in a mariachi ensemble. Courses include mariachi ensemble, instrumental techniques, and rehearsal techniques and literature.
• Minor in Music (18 hours). No audition required. Students declare the Minor in Music through the advising center of their major. Courses include music theory, literature, performance, and electives.

FOR ALL MUSIC DEGREES

In order to claim one of the music degrees described above as the student's major at Texas State University, students must first be accepted to Texas State University and then audition and be accepted by the performance faculty. Visit Becoming a Music Major for the audition dates and full details on performance requirements and supporting materials required for the audition.

Transfer Students – visit the university's admission website for transfer students to determine which music courses will transfer towards your degree at Texas State.

In general, all 1000- & 2000-level courses are taken during the Freshman & Sophomore years. The 3000- & 4000-level courses, in most cases, can only be taken upon passing the upper level competency review in the student's chosen music degree program at the end of their fourth semester or music study.

General education core curriculum components must be completed for all degrees. These requirements can be completed in any order (with the exception of the Music Studies degree), at any Texas institution, or through AP/CLEP exams. The course requirements can be found in the University College section of the undergraduate catalog.

Special General Studies Requirements for specific music degree programs:

• BS-Sound Recording Technology
  • Pre-Calculus (MATH 2417)
  • General Physics I & II (PHYS 1410, 1420)
  • Intro to Fine Arts (MU 2313)
• BM-Music Studies
  • C or higher in
    • College Writing I & II (ENG 1310, 1320)
    • Philosophy (PHIL 1305 or 1320)
    • MATH Component
    • History (HIST 1310, 1320)
    • Political Science (POSI 2310, 2320)
  • B or higher in
    • Communications (COMM 1310)

All music degrees have minimum requirements to graduate:

• Minimum Texas State GPA: 2.00
• Minimum Major GPA: 2.25 (music studies students are required to have a 2.75 per the Texas State Music Studies area)
• Minimum Minor GPA (if applicable): 2.00
• Minimum Grades: C or higher or CR in each music course required for major or minor
• Minimum hours: 120 hours (the music studies degree requires more than 120 hours to complete course requirements due to the College of Education Teacher Certification courses)
• Advanced hours (3000 & 4000-level): 36 hours
• Foreign Language proficiency: Completion of at least 2 years of the same language in High School or at the university level
• Computer proficiency: Completion of at least 1 year of a computer-based course in High School or at the university level