Declaring a Major/Minor
All students are required to declare a major field of study by their third semester credit standing. To stay on track for graduation, it is strongly advised that the declaration of major paperwork be submitted prior to your assigned online registration time during your second semester.
To begin the process of declaring or changing a major or minor, take the following steps:
- Download the Declaration/Change of Major/Minor form.
- Complete the form at the departmental office of the appropriate major or minor (performance majors begin with their instrumental department).
- Submit the form to the Office of the Registrar by the end of check-in week, which is the Friday before the start of classes. If approved, the declaration of major will be effective for that semester. Forms received after the deadline will be effective, if approved, for the following semester.
Visit the departments for more definitive declaration instructions since some majors have an earlier declaration deadline and specific requirements for declaration. More information on declaring, changing, or dropping your major/minor can be found on pages 18–20 in the Academic Policies section of the 2019–2020 Policy Handbook for Students.
Not Sure Which Major to Declare?
Following is a list of majors and suggested entry courses. The entry courses provide an overview of the respective majors and begin to build a foundation for courses that follow in the major.
Note: Some of these courses have prerequisites. Be sure to check the course description for details.
| MAJOR | Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
|
Contemporary Writing and Production |
AR-112 |
Arranging 2 |
| Contemporary Writing and Production |
LMSC-208 |
Principles of Musical Acoustics |
| Contemporary Writing and Production |
ISKB-211 |
Basic Keyboard 1 (not required for piano principals) |
|
Composition |
CM-211 |
Tonal Harmony and Composition 1 |
| Composition |
CP-210 |
The Art of Counterpoint |
| Composition |
CM-103 |
The Composer’s Toolkit: Shaping Sound in Time |
| Composition |
CM-357 |
Introduction to Electroacoustic Music for Composers |
| Composition |
ISKB-211 |
Basic Keyboard 1 (not required for piano principals) |
|
Electronic Production and Design |
EP-210 |
Survey of Electroacoustic Music |
| Electronic Production and Design |
EP-225 |
Control Systems in Electronic Production |
| Electronic Production and Design |
EP-250 |
Electronics in the Soundtrack |
| Electronic Production and Design |
LMSC-208 |
Principles of Music Acoustics Applications of Music Acoustics |
|
Film Scoring |
CM-211 |
Tonal Harmony and Composition 1 (required in second semester) |
| Film Scoring |
CP-210 |
The Art of Counterpoint |
| Film Scoring |
FS-221 |
Introduction to Film Scoring |
| Film Scoring |
ISKB-211 |
Basic Keyboard 1 (not required for piano principals) |
|
Jazz Composition |
AR-112 |
Arranging 2 |
| Jazz Composition |
AR-228 |
Survey of Jazz Composition and Arranging |
| Jazz Composition |
ISKB-211 |
Basic Keyboard 1 (not required for piano principals) |
|
Music Business/Management |
MB-101 |
Introduction to the Music Business |
| Music Business/Management |
MB-131 |
Taxation in the Music Business |
| Music Business/Management |
MB-201 |
Principles of Business Management |
| Music Business/Management |
MB-205 |
The Business of Flamenco Music |
| Music Business/Management |
MB-211 |
Legal Aspects of the Music Industry |
| Music Business/Management |
MB-287 |
Business Communication |
| Music Business/Management |
LMSC-130 |
Concepts of Mathematics |
| Music Business/Management |
LSOC-225 |
Principles of Economics |
| Music Business/Management |
LMSC-251 |
Data Management and Statistics |
|
Music Education |
ME-111 |
Introduction to Music Education |
| Music Education |
ME-152 |
Computer Applications for Music Education (highly recommended) |
|
Music Production and Engineering |
MP-110 |
Introduction to Music Production and Engineering |
| Music Production and Engineering |
MP-113 |
Accelerated Pro Tools |
| Music Production and Engineering |
MP-114 |
Critical Listening Lab for Musicians |
| Music Production and Engineering |
MP-115 |
Production Analysis Lab for Musicians |
| Music Production and Engineering |
LMSC-208 |
Principles of Musical Acoustics |
| Music Production and Engineering |
MP-210 |
Principles of Independent Record Production (intended for non-MPE majors) |
| Music Production and Engineering |
MP-310 |
Sound Reinforcement for Musicians (intended for non-MPE majors) |
|
Music Therapy |
MTH-201 |
Introduction to International Music Therapy |
| Music Therapy |
LSOC-211 |
General Psychology |
| Music Therapy |
ISGT-231 |
Guitar Class for Music Therapists 1 |
| Music Therapy |
ISPC-231 |
Percussion for Music Therapy |
| Music Therapy |
ILVC-210 |
Elements of Vocal Technique for Non-Voice Principals (not required for voice principals) |
| Music Therapy |
MTH-311 |
Psychology of Music |
|
Performance |
PFSS-XXX |
Approved Styles Survey (The course code is determined by your principal instrument; see Major Grid.) |
| Performance |
PSXX-XXX |
Performance Studies |
|
Professional Music |
Does not have a special entry course; see department advisor in the Professional Music Department |
|
|
Songwriting |
SW-111 |
Essentials of Songwriting |
| Songwriting |
SW-211 |
Songwriting 1 |
| Songwriting |
SW-221 |
Lyric Writing 1 |
| Songwriting |
ISKB-211 |
Basic Keyboard 1 (not required for piano principals) |