Bachelor of Fine Arts (BA) in Music
Our Undergraduate DegreesProgram Overview – Minimum Total Hours: 120
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in Music is designed for the study of music within a liberal arts curriculum. For the student who is not seeking a professional music degree but who desires a solid foundation in the study of music, the areas of musicianship, performance, and history provide the core of courses toward a basic intellectual grasp of the art. Students who additionally seek to major in other areas (double major) or to take a large number of courses in a pre-professional program (pre-law, pre-medical, etc.) are encouraged to enroll in the B.A. in Music. The B.A. in Music cannot be used as a major in combination with the Bachelor of Music. The B.A. in Music is permitted as a major in combination with a Bachelor of Music Education.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission as a declared major in the College of Fine Arts, you must meet the following requirements:
• Completion of 26 hours of earned credit.
• A grade point average of at least 2.50 in all hours attempted or, a grade point of at least 2.50 in the last 30 hours attempted.
• Competency in English writing as demonstrated by: achieving a score of 26 or higher on the English section of the ACT examination or 660 SAT Verbal or, completion of ENGL 101 or 110 or 112 or 113 with a grade of C or better, or receiving credit through Advanced Placement Exam or International Baccalaureate program.
• Competency in Mathematics as demonstrated by: achieving a score of 22 or higher on the Math section of the ACT examination or 540 SAT Math, or completion of MATH 120 or MATH 101 & 102 with a grade of C or better, placement into college-level Math by Compass exam, or receiving credit through Advanced Placement Exam or International Baccalaureate program.
Plus:
For Art Studio Students:
• Completion of ARTS 125: Art Practices I and ARTS 126: Art Practices II with grades of C or better.
For Art Education Students:
• Completion of ARTE 310: Teaching Art in the Elementary School and ARTE 320: Teaching Art in Secondary School with grades B- or better.
• Passing the National Evaluation Series exam with a score of 220 or better.
For Dance Students:
• Pre-approved acceptance into the program by audition/interview.
• Auditions are held ONCE per year, on the last Friday of January from 10:00 am-5:00 pm in the North Arena studio in the Elizabeth Waters Center for Dance at Carlisle Gym on the UNM main campus. The audition includes group work in ballet, flamenco, improvisation, and modern/contemporary; performance of a one-minute solo of their own choreography or an excerpt of a piece performed previously; and a short interview with dance faculty.
•Intended Dance Majors: Contact Amanda Hamp (she/her) ahamp@unm.edu, faculty advisor for the Dance Major and Minor in Dance.
For Music Students:
• An Approval to Concentrate in appropriate instrument or voice as demonstrated by completion of the first 2 semesters of Applied Music and enrollment in the 3rd semester is required. A signed form is required.
• BME Students: Satisfactory completion of MUSE 194: Introduction to Music Education and MUSE 195: Introductory Teaching Practicum is necessary for acceptance into the Music Education degree program.
Important Information:
• Submit Application for Admission to the College of Fine Arts to the Student Success & Advisement Center.
• You will be notified by email within 1-3 weeks of submitting your application.
• Applications are accepted for spring and fall semesters only.
• Students graduate under the requirements in the UNM Catalog in effect at the time of their admission (or readmission) into CFA as pre-majors or declared majors. See the current UNM Catalog for further details regarding admission and graduation requirements.
Contact Us
(505) 277-4817
finearts@unm.edu
Office: Center for the Arts, Rm 1103
Please schedule an appointment with a CFA Academic Advisor online through LoboAchieve, or call the Student Success and Advisement Office.
How to Apply
• All students must be admitted to the University, whether as an incoming freshman, transfer student, or non-degree student. Apply online through the Admissions Department at UNM
•After meeting all CFA admission requirements, students must apply to become a declared major.
Academic Advisement
The College of Fine Arts Student Success & Advisement Center is committed to serve the UNM community with compassion, guidance, and respect as we promote academic excellence.
To speak with a CFA advisor, please call (505) 277-4817.