Undergraduate Handbook
More information is available about our degrees
Classes on the Columbia campus beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 and all classes scheduled for Friday, Sept. 27 will be virtual. sc.edu/weather
This degree offers an excellent general education combined with rigorous training in an area of emphasis (composition, jazz studies, music education, music theory or performance). One-on-one training with world-class faculty and visiting artist/teachers and diverse performance opportunities prepare our graduates for the challenges of a career in music.
You can choose one of several areas of emphasis for your bachelor’s of music degree.
If you'd like to get started, please contact the admissions team by completing the online interest form.
Composition students work in a rich academic environment dedicated to musical excellence and strong professional skills. Please note there are additional composition audition requirements along with UofSC and School of Music requirements if you choose to apply.
Bachelor of Music - Composition Emphasis - 128 hours total
Carolina Core |
38 credits |
Major Requirements |
90 credits |
Requirements for previous academic years may be found here.
Our jazz program fuses performance, composition and arranging into a study plan that prepares you for the professional performance world. Please note there are additional jazz audition requirements along with UofSC and School of Music requirements if you choose to apply.
Bachelor of Music - Jazz Studies Emphasis - 128 credits total
Carolina Core a) Aesthetic Interpretation and Understanding (AIU): MUSC 115 [3 credits] b) Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (ARP): any CC-ARP course [6 credits] c) Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Written (CMW): ENGL 101, 102 [passed with "C" or higher, 6 credits] d) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (GSS): any CC-GSS course [3 credits] e) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (GHS): any CC-GHS course [3 credits] f) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (GFL): Language Proficiency through 122 [0-7 credits] g) Scientific Literacy (SCI): two CC-SCI courses (one with lab) [7 credits] h) Overlay Eligible Courses: Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component (CMS); Information Literacy (INF); Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility (VSR); up to two of these requirements may be met in overlay courses [3-9 credits] i) Electives [0-7 credits] |
38 credits |
Major Requirements |
90 credits |
Requirements for previous academic years may be found here.
We prepare students to become the leading music instructors of tomorrow while providing significant performance opportunities and a well-rounded education.
Bachelor of Music - Music Education Emphasis - 132 hours total
Carolina Core |
38 credits |
Music Requirements |
49 credits |
Music Education Requirements (23 credits) |
23 credits |
Professional Education Requirements a) MUED 200 [1 credit]; EDTE 201 [3 credits]; EDRD 500 or EDEX 581 [3 credits]; EDPY 401 [3 credits] b) MUED 477 [12 credits] |
22 credits |
Requirements for previous academic years may be found here.
One-on-one collaboration with our world-class faculty will help you to develop the skills and knowledge to become a professional musician. Additional concentrations are now available in Chamber Music, Entrepreneurship, and Music Technology.
Bachelor of Music - Performance Emphasis - 128 credits total
Carolina Core |
38 credits |
Major Requirements |
90 credits |
Requirements for previous academic years may be found here.
Bachelor of Music - Performance Emphasis with concentration in Chamber Music - 128 credits total
Carolina Core a) Aesthetic Interpretation and Understanding (AIU): MUSC 115 [3 credits] b) Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (ARP): any CC-ARP course [6 credits] c) Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Written (CMW): ENGL 101, 102 [passed with "C" or higher, 6 credits] d) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (GSS): any CC-GSS course [3 credits] e) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (GHS): any CC-GHS course [3 credits] f) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (GFL): Language Proficiency through 122 [0-7 credits] g) Scientific Literacy (SCI): two CC-SCI courses (one with lab) [7 credits] h) Overlay Eligible Courses: Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component (CMS); Information Literacy (INF); Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility (VSR); up to two of these requirements may be met in overlay courses [3-9 credits] i) Electives [0-7 credits] |
38 credits |
Major Requirements |
90 credits |
Requirements for previous academic years may be found here.
Bachelor of Music - Performance Emphasis with concentration in Music Entrepreneurship - 128 credits total
Carolina Core a) Aesthetic Interpretation and Understanding (AIU): MUSC 115 [3 credits] b) Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (ARP): any CC-ARP course [6 credits] c) Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Written (CMW): ENGL 101, 102 [passed with "C" or higher, 6 credits] d) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (GSS): any CC-GSS course [3 credits] e) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (GHS): any CC-GHS course [3 credits] f) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (GFL): Language Proficiency through 122 [0-7 credits] g) Scientific Literacy (SCI): two CC-SCI courses (one with lab) [7 credits] h) Overlay Eligible Courses: Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component (CMS); Information Literacy (INF); Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility (VSR); up to two of these requirements may be met in overlay courses [3-9 credits] i) Electives [0-7 credits] |
38 credits |
Major Requirements a) Applied Music 4 semesters of MUSC 211; 4 semesters of MUSC 411 [32 credits] b) Music Theory and Aural Skills: MUSC 117, 118, 215, 217, 218; two theory elective courses [13 credits] c) Music History and Literature: MUSC 353, 354; one history elective course [9 credits] d) Ensembles: specific to each area [8 credits] e) Conducting: MUSC 333 [2 credits] f) Music Entrepreneurship Concentration: MUSC 580 [3 credits], MUSC 582 [3 credits], MUSC 591 [3 credits], choice of 1 concentration elective (MUSC 592, 593 or 594) [3 credits] g) Music Electives: students must complete a pedagogy course in applied area when available (voice primary must complete MUSC 577); students in this concentration must take MUSC 399 [2 credits]; must take MUED 155 and 156, if needed; students whose primary medium is voice must complete MUSC570, 578 and 579; piano majors must complete MUSC 573, 573L, and 574 and 574L; guitar majors must complete MUSC 573 and 587 [13 credits] h) Recital Class: MUSC 100 [0 credits; 5 semesters] i) Music Advocacy: MUSC 100A [0 credits] j) Recital Class Lab: MUSC 100L [1 credit] |
90 credits |
Requirements for previous academic years may be found here.
Bachelor of Music - Performance Emphasis with concentration in Music Technology - 128 credits total
Carolina Core |
38 credits |
Major Requirements |
90 credits |
Requirements for previous academic years may be found here.
Students often choose this degree to prepare for graduate degrees in music theory and music history.
Bachelor of Music - Theory Emphasis - 128 hours total
Carolina Core |
38 credits |
Major Requirements |
90 credits |
Requirements for previous academic years may be found here.