///////

Music (B.A.)

Find Your Musical Path

The Bachelor of Arts in Music program in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at UD helps you discover the transformative power of music and develop musical interests, talents and skills that you'll use to change the world. A solid music curriculum with two available concentrations and endless possibilities for crafting your own plan of study — combined with an arts and sciences education — provides you the ability and flexibility to pursue your interests and prepare for your career.

Explore Admission Options
Visit Campus
Request Information
Explore Financial Aid
Fast Facts

NASM accredited

National Association of Schools of Music accredited

100% of students

complete a senior capstone experience
About the Music (B.A.) Program

Why study music at UD?

A Full Musical Education

Whether you are a musician looking to design your own unique plan of study or someone with a love of music seeking to broaden your training in a supportive environment, the Bachelor of Arts provides you with a full musical education that prepares you for a modern career in any music-related field and can serve as an excellent foundation for graduate study.

Two Available Concentrations

The music studies concentration outlines a general plan of study for the complete musician, allowing you to focus on studies in traditional music performance, sound production and electronic music, sacred music, composition and much more.

The jazz studies concentration focuses on the musical and historical elements of jazz. Students will study jazz improvisation, theory, history and jazz composition and arranging, in addition to core studies in music theory, aural skills and functional keyboard.

World-Class Faculty and State-of-the-Art Facilities

Regardless of your unique plan of study, you'll have access to our world-class faculty and our full range of private study, ensemble participation and state-of-the-art performance facilities.

NASM Accreditation

The University of Dayton is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Explore admission options or schedule an academic visit to learn more about music at UD.

Catholic, Marianist Education
UD Is Home
Holistic Advising
Experiential Learning

How do I apply to the music B.A. program?

At the University of Dayton, applying is free and test scores are optional. When you apply, you'll automatically be considered for a merit scholarship.

Learn about our admission process, then apply using UD's application or the Common App.

Explore Admission Information
Request Information
Visit Campus
Meet an Admission Counselor

What is the tuition cost and is financial aid available?

Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success. And with high graduation and success rates, UD is an excellent value.

To help you cover your costs, a variety of scholarships, grants, loans and part-time work study are available. The University also accepts transfer credits and credit by exam for undergraduates, giving you more flexibility to add a double major or minor or participate in a transformational experience like study abroad or co-op.

A Performing Arts Scholarship is available for music students who participate in audition day.

Transparent Tuition Plan
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate Financial Aid
Degree Requirements and Curriculum

Music (B.A.) Degree Information and Concentrations
Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree requires a total of at least 120 hours. This degree also includes requirements from our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP).

Sample Plans of Study

The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree has two concentrations available, each with a recommended plan of study:

About the Degree

The Bachelor of Arts degree offers students the flexibility to pursue their individual interests in music as well as in other fields (sometimes through a second major or minor). All music majors develop creativity, discipline, teamwork and critical thinking skills that transfer to a wide variety of careers.

The music degree has two concentrations available: jazz studies and music studies.

Jazz Studies

The concentration in jazz studies focuses on the musical and historical elements of jazz. You'll study jazz improvisation, performance, theory, history, composition and arranging.

You also can participate in both large and small jazz ensembles, which provide the opportunity to become skilled in the art of practice and performance of jazz. To take advantage of the diverse academic environment at the University of Dayton, you're encouraged to earn a minor or to complete a second major within another discipline.

Music Studies

Our music studies concentration is a broad interdisciplinary undergraduate degree. Along with an arts and sciences education, a solid music curriculum provides you the ability and flexibility to pursue your interests and prepare for your career.

Request Information
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Sample Plan of Study: Jazz Studies

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2026-27 academic year. This is a recommended course sequence, but your schedule may vary depending on previously earned college credits, course availability, advisor recommendations and your personal goals and interests. Please contact the recruitment and admission team (prospective students) or your holistic advisor (current students) with questions.

Semester 1
  • ASI 150 – Introduction to the University Experience
    1
  • HUM 101 – Chaminade Seminar: Reading and Responding to the Signs of the Times
    3
  • CMM 100 – Principles of Oral Communication
    3
  • MUS 111 – Theory of Music I
    2
  • MUS 113 – Aural Skills I
    2
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS 390 – Ensembles (Jazz Combo)
    0.5
  • MUS 399 – Performance Studies
    2
  • MUS 494 – Dayton Jazz Ensemble
    1
  • Total Credit Hours 14.5
Semester 2
  • HUM 102 – Marie Thérèse Seminar: Human Dignity and the Common Good
    3
  • MUS 112 – Theory of Music II
    2
  • MUS 114 – Aural Skills II
    2
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS 300 – World Musics and Faith Traditions
    3
  • MUS 390 – Ensembles (Jazz Combo)
    0.5
  • MUS 399 – Performance Studies
    2
  • MUS 494 – Dayton Jazz Ensemble
    1
  • Total Credit Hours 13.5
Semester 3
  • ENG 200 – Writing Seminar II
    3
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS 211 – Theory of Music III
    2
  • MUS 301 – Understanding Music History in the West
    3
  • MUS 390 OR 494 – 390: Ensembles; 494: Dayton Jazz Ensemble
    1
  • MUS 399 – Performance Studies
    2
  • Language 101
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 14
Semester 4
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS 212 – Theory of Music IV
    2
  • MUS 218 – Popular Jazz Theory
    2
  • MUS 250 – Second Year Review
    0
  • MUS 302 – Ethics and American Popular Music
    3
  • MUS 390 OR 494 – 390: Ensembles; 494: Dayton Jazz Ensemble
    1
  • MUS 399 – Performance Studies
    2
  • B.A. Natural Science OR Math
    3
  • Language 141
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 5
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS 391 – Jazz Improvisation I
    1
  • MUS 399 – Performance Studies
    2
  • CAP Natural Science with Lab
    4
  • CAP Mathematics
    3
  • B.A. Social Science
    3
  • Language 201 or Contextual
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 6
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS 306 – History of American Jazz
    3
  • MUS Elective
    1
  • MUS 392 – Jazz Improvisation II
    1
  • B.A. Humanities
    3
  • B.A. Elective (300-400 level)
    3
  • General Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 14
Semester 7
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS 396 – Jazz Keyboard Harmony I
    1
  • CAP Social Science
    3
  • B.A. Interdisciplinary Programs
    3
  • B.A. Arts (other than MUS)
    3
  • General Electives
    6
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 8
  • MUS 397 – Jazz Keyboard Harmony II
    1
  • MUS 481 – Capstone Project & Presentation
    1
  • CAP Advanced Philosophical Studies
    3
  • B.A. Electives (300-400 level)
    6
  • General Electives
    6
  • Total Credit Hours 17
* Choose from MUS 390, 491, 492, 493, 494 or 495.

At the University of Dayton, our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP), encourages you to integrate knowledge — and put it to use.

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Visit the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.

Transfer and Exam Credits
Academic Admission FAQ
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Sample Plan of Study: Music Studies

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2026-27 academic year. This is a recommended course sequence, but your schedule may vary depending on previously earned college credits, course availability, advisor recommendations and your personal goals and interests. Please contact the recruitment and admission team (prospective students) or your holistic advisor (current students) with questions.

Semester 1
  • ASI 150 – Introduction to the University Experience
    1
  • HUM 101 – Chaminade Seminar: Reading and Responding to the Signs of the Times
    3
  • CMM 100 – Principles of Oral Communication
    3
  • MUS 111 – Theory of Music I
    2
  • MUS 113 – Aural Skills I
    2
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS Elective
    1
  • MUS 399 – Performance Studies
    2
  • Total Credit Hours 14
Semester 2
  • HUM 102 – Marie Thérèse Seminar: Human Dignity and the Common Good
    3
  • MUS 112 – Theory of Music II
    2
  • MUS 114 – Aural Skills II
    2
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS 300 – World Musics and Faith Traditions
    3
  • MUS Elective
    1
  • MUS 399 – Performance Studies
    2
  • Total Credit Hours 13
Semester 3
  • ENG 200 – Writing Seminar II
    3
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS 211 – Theory of Music III
    2
  • MUS 213 – Aural Skills III
    2
  • MUS 301 – Understanding Music History in the West
    3
  • MUS Elective
    1
  • MUS 399 – Performance Studies
    2
  • Language 101
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 4
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS 212 – Theory of Music IV
    2
  • MUS 214 – Aural Skills IV
    2
  • MUS 250 – Second Year Review
    0
  • MUS 302 – Ethics and American Popular Music
    3
  • MUS 399 – Performance Studies
    2
  • CAP Social Science
    3
  • Language 141
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 5
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS 240 – Fundamentals of Conducting
    2
  • CAP Natural Science with Lab
    4
  • CAP Mathematics
    3
  • B.A. Arts (other than MUS)
    3
  • Language 201 or Contextual
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 6
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS Elective
    1
  • MUS 399 – Performance Studies
    2
  • B.A. Humanities
    3
  • B.A. Natural Science or Math
    3
  • B.A. Elective (300-400 level)
    3
  • General Electives
    4
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 7
  • MUS 200 – Flyer Arts Showcase
    0
  • MUS Elective
    1
  • B.A. Interdisciplinary Programs
    3
  • B.A. Social Science
    3
  • B.A. Elective (300-400 level)
    3
  • General Electives
    6
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 8
  • MUS Elective
    1
  • MUS 399 – Performance Studies
    2
  • MUS 481 – Capstone Project & Presentation
    1
  • CAP Advanced Philosophical Studies
    3
  • B.A. Elective (300-400 level)
    3
  • General Electives
    6
  • Total Credit Hours 16
* Choose from MUS 390, 491, 492, 493, 494 or 495.

At the University of Dayton, our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP), encourages you to integrate knowledge — and put it to use.

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Visit the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.

Transfer and Exam Credits
Academic Admission FAQ
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Transfer and Exam Credits

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Transfer and Exam Credits

Success After Graduation

Get more than your foot in the door — get ready for success. At our College of Arts and Sciences, you will have the opportunity to combine the classroom and business world together in a way that allows you to further sharpen your skills. It’s a key reason why employers love hiring our students — they can hit the ground running.

Explore Visual and Performing Arts Careers
Explore Career Services
Explore Student Outcomes
View Career Survey Results
Fast Facts

$61,279 average

starting salary for recent UD graduates across all majors

97% success rate

after graduation across all majors

Beyond the Classroom: The UD Music Experience

Music Ensembles

A variety of instrumental and vocal ensembles give you opportunities to perform — and hear — your own works brought to life.

Explore Ensembles

Roger Glass Center for the Arts

The Roger Glass Center for the Arts elevates the arts on campus and provides greater connection with the Dayton community through a variety of performances and art exhibits.

Explore the Roger Glass Center for the Arts

Performing Arts Scholarship

If you choose, you may complete an audition to be considered for a Performing Arts Scholarship worth $2,500 per year for up to four years for music majors.

Learn More About the Performing Arts Scholarship

Dean's Summer Fellowship

The Dean’s Summer Fellowship program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences to conduct research during the summer under the guidance of a full-time faculty mentor.

Learn More About the Dean’s Summer Fellowship
Walk. Run. Fly. Soar.

Success is a Journey

At the University of Dayton, you'll have a supportive community dedicated to fueling your success. Through guaranteed, real-world experience, you'll build the skills and confidence needed to be workforce ready.

Student Support
Community
Experiential Learning
Outcomes
///////

Ready to Study Music at UD?

Let’s create your future. Now you know what we’re about: community, personal attention, hands-on learning, integrity and global thinking. Take the next step and connect with us today.

Learn How to Apply
Visit Campus
Request Information
///////