Bachelor of Music at University of California, Berkeley

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The Department of Music grants a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Music and also a minor in Music. The department is dedicated to a liberal education in the Arts and Humanities and introduces students to a wide variety of music practices in performance, music composition and technology, theoretical and creative studies, and historical and cultural studies. The curriculum is responsive to the interests of a diverse student body and offers a broad and flexible program.

The major offers pre-professional training for the student seeking a career in music, and also can provide a lasting source of enrichment for students with other career goals.  A large number of double majors in the department represent such diverse fields as computer science, psychology, molecular and cell biology, physics, economics, English, and business administration, to name a few.

A performance audition is not required to declare the major.

Course of Study Overview

Lower division studies provide grounding in creative music practice, music history, and ethnomusicology via three required lower-division courses, Music 70, 80, and 90.  For those who wish to further hone their skills, Music 20 (Introduction to Musicianship) and Music 25 (Introduction to Music Theory, Analysis, and Notation) are also available. In the upper division, three performance courses and two seminars in music history and ethnomusicology will be required, along with two introductory "Making Music" courses chosen from a long list of options. These "immersion" classes will then lead to various electives chosen by students from an extensive selection of elective classes, resulting in an individual course of study formed according to each student's interests. Finally, a capstone project, completed as part of one course chosen from a list of possible classes, concludes the major.  Capstone projects may include performance recitals, music compositions, scholarly papers, or digital creations, among others. The department also offers an honors program in which a major in the senior year may develop a more in-depth honors project working with a faculty advisor in any area of music studies.

Students without keyboard proficiency are encouraged to enroll in two semesters of Elementary Piano (MUSIC 45M) in their first semesters in the major program.

Declaring the Major

To declare the Music Major, prospective students must:

1. Review Music major requirements and (if possible) attend the Undergraduate Orientation offered at the beginning of each semester. 
2. Submit the Music Major Application.
3. Draft a program plan.
4. Schedule a meeting with the Undergraduate Major Advisor to finalize their program plan and finish the process of declaration.

An Undergraduate Orientation is held once before the beginning of each semester. The orientation reviews important information such as placement exams, major requirements, program planning, major resources, and student life. It is imperative that prospective music majors make every possible effort to attend.

Students should submit the online major application on the department website, and meet with the Undergraduate Advisor to create a program plan as soon as possible.

Honors Program

The Department of Music offers an individualized program leading to a BA degree with honors. Students with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 overall and 3.5 in the major may apply to enroll in the honors program in the last two semesters of their undergraduate study. Under course MUSIC H195, students undertake a special project exceeding the scope of regular coursework for one or two semesters. Application forms with more detailed criteria for approval can be obtained from the department office and must be submitted by 12 p.m. on the Friday of the third week of classes in the semester in which the project is started.

Minor Program

For information on declaring the minor, please see the Minor Program page on the department's website.

Visit Department Website

Berkeley music majors are expected to do the following:

1. To acquire knowledge and understanding of music in an integrated way"through historical and cultural studies, musicianship and theory, and performance. These studies prepare students to pursue a career in some aspect of music or to maintain music as a central part of their lives.
2. To cultivate musical competency, including literacy (the use of music notation in reading, performing, composing, analyzing, and hearing music).
3. To develop skills of critical thinking and writing about music by taking courses on past and present musical cultures.
4. To create music by performing, composing, and improvising.
5. To pursue personal interests by selecting upper division courses including independent studies and honors projects.