Music BA vs. BM Degree (Auditions & Curriculum)
A music BA usually combines music study with broader liberal-arts coursework, while a BM devotes more time to focused musical training. BM admission often includes an audition; BA audition rules vary by school. Compare each program’s required courses, performance expectations, cost, and admission policies. The best fit depends on your goals and the specific curriculum, not the degree title alone.
As fall weather arrives and application deadlines draw closer, it is easy to feel that you must choose the “right” music degree at once. In practice, the key decision is what kind of training you want and how each school structures it. A BA and a BM can both lead to serious musical work, but their course mix, audition rules, and performance demands often differ.
Music BA vs. BM: Program Structure, Admissions, and Auditions
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music usually leaves more room for general education, electives, or another field of study. A Bachelor of Music (BM) usually places more credits in music courses and applied study. These are common patterns, not national rules; the school catalog sets the actual requirements.
At many U.S. colleges, a bachelor’s degree takes about 120 semester credits. The total can differ by school and program, and transfer students may have limits on how many credits apply. The degree name alone does not show how much time a student spends in lessons, ensembles, theory, or other subjects.
| Area | Music BA, common pattern | Music BM, common pattern | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course balance | More general education and elective space | More required music coursework | Credits required in each area |
| Applied study | Lessons may be required, with format and frequency varying | Often a central, sustained part of the program | Lesson access, length, fees, and credit |
| Audition | May be optional, required for a track, or used for placement or aid | Commonly required for music-program admission | Whether audition and university admission are separate |
| Performance milestones | Vary by school and concentration | May include juries, recitals, or other reviews | How often they occur and what happens if a student does not pass |
| Flexibility | May make a second field or electives easier to fit | A more sequenced music plan may leave fewer open credits | Sample four-year plans and transfer rules |
Auditions and admission decisions
An audition is a performance review used to assess a student’s playing or singing. BM applicants commonly audition live or submit a recording. Schools may also ask for specific repertoire, sight-reading, a theory test, or a placement assessment. None of these formats applies at every school.
BA applicants may face no audition, or may need one for a music concentration, scholarship, ensemble, or course placement. Ask whether the university admits you separately from the music department. Also check deadlines: the music department may set an audition date before the general application deadline.
I advise students to treat each school’s audition page as a checklist, not a general guide to all music programs. Confirm repertoire rules, recording format, accompanist policy, interview requirements, and transfer audition steps with the department. There is no single national GPA or audition score that guarantees admission.
Curriculum, Credit Requirements, Ensembles, and Performance Milestones
A curriculum is the set of courses and milestones required to earn a degree. BA and BM plans can overlap in theory, aural skills, lessons, and ensemble work, but the number of credits and the sequence may differ. Use current catalogs and term-by-term plans to compare actual requirements.
A BM commonly assigns a larger share of credits to music study; roughly two-thirds is a planning estimate sometimes used for comparison, not a universal standard. A BA often includes more general education and electives. Count the credits in each program rather than relying on a label or broad estimate.
| Requirement | Questions to ask before enrolling |
|---|---|
| Music theory | How many courses are required? Is there a placement test? |
| Aural skills | Are ear-training courses linked to theory, and must they be taken in sequence? |
| Applied lessons | How often are lessons offered? Are there added fees or instrument requirements? |
| Ensemble | Which ensembles are required, and how many terms must students participate? |
| Juries and recitals | Are performance reviews required? What standards and dates apply? |
| General education | How many credits remain for electives or a second subject? |
| Capstone or final project | Is a recital, portfolio, research project, or other final requirement needed? |
An ensemble is a group such as an orchestra, choir, jazz band, or chamber group. Some programs require ensemble participation each term; others set requirements by concentration or instrument. “Applied study” usually means instruction on a primary instrument or voice. Confirm whether students must audition for lessons or ensembles and whether places are limited.
The course sequence matters. Theory, aural skills, and keyboard classes may have prerequisites, meaning one course must be completed before another. A missed course or a delayed performance review can affect the next term’s plan. Before accepting an offer, request a degree map that shows when required courses are available.
Academic Success, Practice Load, Advising, and Student Experience
Practice load is the time a student spends preparing music outside class and lessons. It varies by instrument, level, teacher, and goals, so there is no reliable single weekly number for every BA or BM student. Ask current students and faculty how a typical week is structured and what performances require.
A BM’s concentrated requirements may create a schedule with lessons, ensemble rehearsals, theory, and individual practice alongside general education. A BA student may have more room for another academic area, but that does not mean the music training is casual or that the workload is always lighter. Course choice and performance goals shape the experience.
Two illustrative student scenarios
These are planning examples, not claims about particular students or schools.
- A singer who wants intensive performance training: A BM may fit if the student is ready to audition and wants a program built around lessons, ensembles, and performance milestones. Before deciding, they should confirm ensemble access, recital expectations, and the cost of applied lessons.
- A student combining music with another subject: A BA may offer more elective space for areas such as history, language, or another major. The student should still check how many music credits, lessons, and ensembles are required, and whether the intended career path calls for specific training.
I have seen how easy it is to compare only the first-year course list. A better comparison follows the student through all four years, including performance reviews and courses offered only once a year. For transfer students, request a written credit evaluation early. Credits earned elsewhere may not meet a music prerequisite or count toward the major.
Career Pathways, Graduate Study, and Employment Outcomes
A degree can support many paths, but neither BA nor BM guarantees a job or a particular income. Career preparation depends on the student’s skills, experience, network, and field, as well as the program. Compare the coursework and practical opportunities needed for your intended next step.
BM programs often emphasize performance or another focused music area. BA programs may allow more space to pair music with another subject. Yet schools differ: some offer BA concentrations, BM tracks in composition or education, or combined options. Read the program requirements before assuming which degree includes a particular skill.
For graduate study, check the entry rules for the specific program you may want. A graduate school may require prior coursework, auditions, portfolios, or demonstrated musicianship; requirements vary by discipline and institution. If you are considering music teaching, performance, production, or another field, ask faculty and employers what preparation is expected. Do not assume the letters BA or BM alone decide eligibility.
Accreditation is another part of the comparison. Confirm that the institution has accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) is a specialized accreditor for music programs. NASM accreditation is not universal and does not replace institutional accreditation.
Compare the full cost, not just tuition
A more structured program can have costs beyond tuition, such as lesson fees, instruments, travel, or performance clothing. Ask which costs apply at your school and which are optional. Compare net price after grants and scholarships, not just the published tuition figure.
Also check scholarship renewal rules: the GPA, completed-credit pace, audition status, or other conditions required to keep an award. If a course sequence or jury result could delay graduation, ask how an extra term would affect aid and total cost. For transfer students, find out which credits apply and how many terms remain.
A practical decision sequence
- Define your goal: Name the concentration you are considering, such as performance, composition, education, production, or broader music study.
- Compare degree maps: Count required credits in theory, aural skills, ensembles, lessons, general education, and electives.
- Prepare for admission: Gather audition repertoire, recording or portfolio materials, academic records, and any required résumé. Check whether placement tests are required.
- Compare offers: Track university and department deadlines separately. Review net cost, scholarship renewal terms, lesson access, and transfer-credit decisions.
- Plan completion: Ask an advisor to confirm course sequencing, juries or recitals, and a realistic term-by-term path to graduation.
The choice is clearest when you compare actual program plans and admission rules at the schools on your list. A BA may suit a student seeking broader coursework; a BM may suit one seeking more concentrated musical study. Neither degree is automatically better. Choose the structure that matches your goals, readiness, and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a BM harder to get into than a BA in Music?
Not in every case. BM admission commonly includes an audition, while BA rules vary. Compare each school’s music-department criteria and university admission requirements.
Do all BM programs require an audition?
No single rule applies everywhere, but auditions are common for BM admission. Check the department’s current policy, including live or recorded options and repertoire rules.
Can you study music in a BA without auditioning?
Sometimes. Some BA programs do not require an audition, while others use one for admission to a concentration, scholarship, ensemble, or placement.
Does a BM have more music credits than a BA?
Often, but not always. Compare required credits in the catalog. Broad estimates are not a substitute for each program’s current degree plan.
Can a BA student take private music lessons?
Some programs offer lessons for credit or through other arrangements. Availability, eligibility, cost, and audition requirements differ by school.
Is a BA in Music less serious than a BM?
No. The degrees often have different course balances, but a BA can include substantial music study. Review its lessons, ensembles, and performance requirements.
Can I change from a BA to a BM after enrolling?
Possibly, but the change may require an audition and add courses or time. Ask the school how credits transfer between its programs.
What should transfer students ask about?
Request a written evaluation of transfer credits and ask about audition rules, prerequisite placement, course sequencing, and the expected time to finish.
Does NASM accreditation matter for choosing a program?
It can be one useful factor, but it is not universal and does not replace institutional accreditation. Check both the school’s status and the needs of your intended path.
How do I compare scholarship offers?
Compare the net cost and renewal rules, including GPA and credit requirements. Ask whether lesson or performance costs are separate from tuition and fees.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Michael Harrington. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
