Professional Degree Programs:
Bachelor of Music (Instrumental Performance)
The Bachelor of Music track in Instrumental Performance serves students who exhibit a
strong commitment to advanced music training to achieve an advanced level of performance
practice on their chosen applied instrument. The degree is appropriate for students who seek
professional career success as solo performers, orchestral musicians, church musicians, studio
teachers and various ensemble performers. Students may also pursue this degree as
undergraduate training for preparation entrance into graduate school or teaching music in
Higher Education.
The instrumental performance track requires eight semesters of applied music study as well as
a Junior level and Senior level recital. Coursework includes the study of appropriate literature
requirements, pedagogical methods, advanced music performance techniques, large and small
ensemble performance.
Student assessment in performance emphasis occurs primarily through the evaluation of
performance juries, junior and senior recitals.
Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance)
The Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal performance provides an opportunity for those
students who choose to lead a professional career in singing. The student must have a strong
commitment to the highest quality of musicianship.
The vocal performance track requires eight semesters of applied music study as well as a
Junior level and Senior level recital. Coursework includes the study of appropriate literature
requirements, pedagogical methods, advanced music performance techniques, large and small
ensemble performance.
Student assessment in performance emphasis occurs primarily through the evaluation of
performance juries, junior and senior recitals.
Bachelor of Music (Piano Performance)
The Bachelor of Music track in Piano Performance serves students who exhibit a strong
commitment to advanced music training to achieve an advanced level of performance practice
on their chosen instrument. The degree is appropriate for students who seek professional
career success as solo performers, orchestral musicians, church musicians, studio teachers and
various ensemble performers. Students may also pursue this degree as undergraduate training
for preparation entrance into graduate school or teaching music in Higher Education.
The piano performance track requires eight semesters of applied music study as well as a
Junior level and Senior level recital. Coursework includes the study of appropriate literature
requirements, pedagogical methods, advanced music performance techniques, and
accompanying and chamber ensemble performance.
Student assessment in performance emphasis occurs primarily through the evaluation of
performance juries, junior and senior recitals.
Bachelor of Music with Teacher Certification
The Bachelor of Music degree, Instrumental, Choral or Piano, with Teacher Certification
serves to prepare students who want to pursue careers in music education and certification by
the Mississippi Board of Education. The degree requires 30 professional education credit
hours as well as 6 professional education credits in music education for a total of 36 credit
hours. Directed teaching accounts for 12 of the 36 credit hours.
Professional Education courses required:
ED 348 Foundations of Education 3 cr. hours
PH 326 Psychology of the Exceptional Child 3 cr. hours
PH 336 Educational Psychology 3 cr. hours
ED 302* Teaching Practicum/Technology 3 cr. hours
MU 337/339* Systemic Approaches to Music 6 cr. hours
ED 351* Managing Classroom Behavior 3 cr. hours.
ED 498* Reading in the Secondary School 3 cr. hours
ED 468* Directed Teaching 12
General Degree Program:
Bachelor of Arts in Music
The Bachelor of Arts in (general) Music is intended to serve those students who wish to pursue
a music background without the desire to achieve a professional music degree in music
performance or education.
Capstone Project
The Bachelor of Arts in general music requires a senior capstone project. This is a written or
oral project that may be combined with a senior recital.