USAO offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with a major in music. A student may choose to emphasize in music performance or music education. Students pursuing the emphasis in music education must choose a specialization in either vocal or instrumental music.

Bachelor of Arts: Major in Music with an
Emphasis in Music Education

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music and an emphasis in music education, ideal for those students who want to teach, leads to PreK-12 music certification in Oklahoma in either vocal music or instrumental music. The degree consists of IDS courses, the professional education core, the musicianship core, and additional music coursework in the area of specialization. All students pursuing this degree select a specialization in either vocal music or instrumental music. Students also choose a primary specialization (from the areas of brass, percussion, piano, voice, or woodwinds) on which they will perform a senior recital or present a senior project. Student pursing the emphasis in music education must complete all professional education requirements for teacher certification. These requirements include one semester of student teaching. At least two semesters of summer enrollment are necessary to complete all degree requirements within four years. Specific requirements for the IDS core are found in the university catalog. Requirements for teacher education preparation are found on the School of Education and Speech Language Pathology website or in the catalog. A checksheet in available here. Advisor for students emphasizing in music education is Professor Joshua Stephen Smith.

Bachelor of Arts: Major in Music with an
Emphasis in Performance

The Bachelor of Arts in music with an emphasis in performance is a liberal arts degree in music with a selected primary specialization. Though featuring an emphasis in performance, the B.A. in music is not a professional performance degree. The degree is suited for students who plan to pursue graduate study in music, want to pursue careers in music or music-related careers, want to serve as music leaders in churches or communities, or plan to enter graduate professional programs outside of music, such as law. All students pursuing this emphasis select a primary specialization from the areas of brass, composition, guitar, percussion, piano, voice, or woodwinds on which they will perform a senior recital or present a senior project. A checksheet for this emphasis is found here. Advisors for performance emphasis students are Professor Brianne Kollmorgen (vocal), Professor Joshua Stephen Smith (piano), and Faculty TBD (instrumental and composition).

Minor in Music

USAO students majoring in other academic fields who have a secondary passion for music may choose to minor in music. The Music Minor is comprised of a minimum of 21 hours of coursework including music theory, music history, primary and secondary applied studio instruction, recital attendance, and major ensemble enrollment. Students must complete at least six hours of upper division coursework in music as part of the music minor. A checksheet for this degree is found here. The advisor for music minors depends on the primary area of specialization.