Music with Elective Studies in Business (BM)

Degree: Bachelor of Music
Major: Music with Elective Studies in Business
Program Code: 3281

About This Major . . .

The Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in Business is designed for students who desire a career within the music industry. The comprehensive core curriculum in music includes courses in theory, history, literature, music technology, improvisation, and applied study on the major instrument or voice and ensemble performance. Also included are specialized courses in Music Industry and Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Arts Management, Advanced Music Technology and Electronic Music. Required business courses include the areas of Marketing, Management, Economics, and the Legal Environment of Business. Finally, an internship component provides the opportunity for students to gain real world experience in the music industry areas of their choice. Professional success in the musical arts requires a comprehensive understanding of the new business models at work in our digital world. Our program seeks to provide this up-to-date information to enhance success for the student at every level.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.

All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Develop and express music judgments through solo performances. (Critical Thinking)
    2.
  2. Create materials for effective marketing in the arts field.(Communication Fluency)
    3.
  3. Apply music industry concepts to an approved capstone, which may consist of a senior presentation and/or recital. (Applied Learning)
    4.
  4. Produce digital audio projects through multi-track recording, sequencing and editing using industry standard software. (Applied Learning)
    5.
  5. Identify ethical and social challenges in the music industry. (Personal and Social Responsibility)
    6.
  6. Find relevant sources of information, evaluate information critically, and apply the information appropriately and effectively to specific purposes. (Information Literacy)

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 120 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
  • 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Essential Learning Requirements

(31 semester hours)
See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below.  If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

English 1
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
ENGL 112English Composition II-GTCO23
Mathematics 1
MATH 110Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 (or higher)3
History
Select one History course3
Humanities
Select one Humanities course3
Social and Behavioral Sciences
ECON 201Principles of Macroeconomics-GTSS13
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Fine Arts
MUSA 266History of Popular Music-GTAH13
Natural Sciences 2
Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab 4
Select one Natural Sciences course3
Total Semester Credit Hours31
1

Must receive a grade of “C” or better and must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.

2

One course must include a lab.

Other Lower Division Requirements

Wellness Requirement
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
Select one Activity course1
Essential Learning Capstone 1
ESSL 290Maverick Milestone3
ESSL 200Essential Speech1
Total Semester Credit Hours6
1

Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours. 

Foundation Courses

(23 semester hours, must pass all courses with a “C” or better.)

MUSA 111Music Technology1
MUSA 114Theory I-Introduction3
MUSA 115Theory II-Diatonic Concepts3
MUSA 116Ear Training and Sightsinging I2
MUSA 117Ear Training and Sightsinging II2
MUSA 214Theory III - Chromatic Concepts3
MUSA 215Theory IV - Twentieth Century Form and Analysis3
MUSL 1__ Music Lesson1
MUSL 1__ Music Lesson1
MUSL 2__ Music Lesson1
MUSP 1__ Music Performance1
MUSP 1__ Music Performance1
MUSP 2__ Music Performance1
Total Semester Credit Hours23

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(54 semester hours, must pass all courses with a “C” or better and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher in coursework toward the major content area.)

Music Core
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 268Beginning Jazz Improvisation1
MUSA 311Advanced Music Technology2
MUSA 312Electronic Music2
MUSA 317Applied Orchestration and Arranging2
Select one of the following:3
MUSA 326
Music History and Literature I
MUSA 327
Music History and Literature II
MUSA 363Music Industry and Marketing2
MUSA 365Entrepreneurship for Creatives2
MUSA 367Arts Management2
MUSA 426The Music of World Cultures2
MUSA 499Internship4
MUSL 2__Music Lesson1
MUSL 3__Music Lesson1
MUSL 3__Music Lesson1
MUSL 4__Music Lesson1
MUSP 2__Music Performance1
MUSP 3__Music Performance1
MUSP 3__Music Performance1
MUSP 4__Music Performance1
MUSP 420Senior Recital/Presentation1
Select one of the following:2
MUSA 129
& MUSA 229
Singer's Diction I: English and Italian
and Singer's Diction II: German and French (for vocal students only)
MUSA 368
Advanced Jazz Improvisation (for instrumental students only)
Music Electives
Select 3 Upper Division (300-400 level) semester hours from any MUSA, MUSL, or MUSP course3
Business Core
BUGB 231Survey of Business Law3
Select 15 semester hours from the following Business Restricted Electives. 7-9 Credit Hours must be Upper Division (300-400 level): 115
ACCT 201
Principles of Financial Accounting
ENTR 300
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
ENTR 343
Exploring Entrepreneur Opportunities
ENTR 401
Entrepreneurial Finance
FINA 301
Managerial Finance
MANG 201
Principles of Management
MARK 231
Principles of Marketing
Total Semester Credit Hours54
1

Instrumental students must complete 7 Upper Division and vocal students must complete 9 Upper Division.

General Electives

All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours. 6 semester hours.

Select electives6
Total Semester Credit Hours6

While the total semester hours below reads 118-123, students must complete a minimum of 120 hours for this degree. This variation is due to different options for vocal and instrumental student, which results in varying potential credit hours by semester. Students should work with their advisor to make sure the correct number of Music Elective hours are completed depending on the course selected to complete this requirement. 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSL 1__Music Lesson 1
MUSP 1__Music Performance 1
MUSA 114 Theory I-Introduction 3
MUSA 116 Ear Training and Sightsinging I 2
MUSA 111 Music Technology 1
MUSA 129 Singer's Diction I: English and Italian (for vocal students only) 1 0-1
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
KINA Activity 1
Essential Learning - Humanities 3
 Semester Credit Hours15-16
Spring Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSL 1__Music Lesson 1
MUSP 1__Music Performance 1
MUSA 115 Theory II-Diatonic Concepts 3
MUSA 117 Ear Training and Sightsinging II 2
MUSA 229 Singer's Diction II: German and French (for vocal students only) 1 0-1
ENGL 112 English Composition II-GTCO2 3
Essential Learning - Natural Science 3
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Science 3
 Semester Credit Hours16-17
Second Year
Fall Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSL 2__Music Lesson 1
MUSP 2__Music Performance 1
MUSA 214 Theory III - Chromatic Concepts 3
ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics-GTSS1 3
MUSA 268 Beginning Jazz Improvisation 1
MATH 110 Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 3
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSL 2__Music Lesson 1
MUSP 2__Music Performance 1
MUSA 215 Theory IV - Twentieth Century Form and Analysis 3
MUSA 266 History of Popular Music-GTAH1 3
Restricted Business Elective 3
ESSL 290 Maverick Milestone 3
ESSL 200 Essential Speech 1
 Semester Credit Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSL 3__Music Lesson 1
MUSP 3__Music Performance 1
MUSA 311 Advanced Music Technology 2
MUSA 317 Applied Orchestration and Arranging 2
MUSA 363 Music Industry and Marketing 2
Restricted Business Elective 3
Complete one of the following: 2 3
MUSA 326
 Music History and Literature I
Music Elective
 Semester Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSL 3__Music Lesson 1
MUSP 3__Music Performance 1
Restricted Business Elective 3
MUSA 365 Entrepreneurship for Creatives 2
MUSA 368 Advanced Jazz Improvisation (for instrumental students only) 1 0-2
BUGB 231 Survey of Business Law 3
Complete one of the following: 2 3
MUSA 327
 Music History and Literature II
Music Elective (upper division)
 Semester Credit Hours13-15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSL 4__Music Lesson 1
MUSP 4__Music Performance 1
MUSA 312 Electronic Music 2
MUSA 367 Arts Management 2
MUSP 420 Senior Recital/Presentation 1
Restricted Business Elective 3
Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab 4
Essential Learning - History 3
 Semester Credit Hours17
Spring Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
Restricted Business Elective 3
General Electives 3
MUSA 499 Internship 4
MUSA 426 The Music of World Cultures 2
 Semester Credit Hours12
 Total Semester Credit Hours118-122
1

Students only need to complete MUSA 129, MUSA 229, or MUSA 368. MUSA 129 and MUSA 229 are options for vocal students, and MUSA 368 is an option for instrumental students. For semesters in which these courses are listed, MUSA 129, MUSA 229, or MUSA 368 only need to be taken if two of the other options are not in the student’s plan for progress to degree. This results in variation in hours suggested for enrollment for these semesters.  

2

Student must complete either MUSA 326 (offered in Fall only) or MUSA 327 (offered in Spring only), as well three credits of Music Electives.   If a student opts to take MUSA 326 their Third Year/Fall Semester, then they should complete their Music Elective in Third Year/Spring Semester.  Alternatively, if a student opts to take MUSA 327 in Third Year/Spring Semester, then they should complete their Music Elective in Third Year/Fall Semester.

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for her/his intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be her/his responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.