The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree is intended for the Kentucky State University student who wishes to study music within a liberal studies framework and use the degree as a foundation for a wide range of career options and/or graduate study in music or other academic areas. Emphasis placed on electives in music and general studies provides the student with opportunities for distinctive educational experiences oriented to his or her specific needs and interests—music industry studies, jazz studies, music theory/composition, performance, and music history/literature.
The degree requires the successful completion of 128 semester credit hours, including: General Studies—45–50 hours; Musicianship Studies—21 hours (MUS 103, 112, 113, 114, 115, 212, 213, 214, 215, 321, 322, and MUS 323 or 325 or 333, which also fulfills IGS elective requirement in the Fine Arts, Letters, History, and Integrative Studies component of the University Liberal Studies General Core Requirements—if the IGS elective substitution option is chosen, an additional 3 hours of electives (music, advised, or free) must be completed; Performance Studies—16 hours (MUA 161, 162, 261, 262; MUC 110, 111, 210, 211, or if keyboard is the student’s principal instrument, 4 hours of applied studies on a secondary instrument are substituted; MUP major ensemble, 4 hours; MUP ensemble electives, 4 hours chosen from ensembles appropriate to the major instrument or voice other than MUP 381, 382, or 386); Further Studies in Music—17 hours (electives that may be chosen from MUA, MUC, MUI, MUP, or MUS courses according to the interests and needs of the student); Advised Electives—18 hours and Free Electives—6 hours. At least 25 hours of elective courses completed must be at the 300-400 level.