Music Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Associate of Arts in Music (AA)
To be admitted into the Music Program, the student must first complete three Audition Courses with a “C” or better in the following courses: MUSC 1210, MUSC 1230, and either MUSC 1004 or MUSC 1155, or MUSC 1008.
Required courses: 16 credit hours
MUSC 1006 Basic Voice (1) or
MUSC 1008 Basic Instrument (1) or
MUSC 1155 Basic Songwriting (1)
MUSC 1160 Theory 1 (3)
MUSC 1165 Theory 2 (3)
MUSC 1210 Rudiments of Music (3)
MUSC 1230 Sight Singing (3)
MUSC 1385 Aural Skills 2 (1)
MUSC 1470 Class Piano 1 (1)
MUSC 1471 Class Piano 2 (1)
Emphasis in Music Production (10 credit hours):
MUSC 1310 Recital Attendance (0/0/0) (3 semesters)
MUSC 2120 Ensemble: (any Ensemble) (1)
MUSC 2310 Music Technology (3)
MUSC 2510 Applied Music: Songwriting (2/2) (2 semesters)
MUSC 2510 Applied Music: Recording (2)
Major Total: 26 credit hours
Core Total: 35 credit hours
Extended Core: 5 credit hours
Total for Degree: 66 credit hours *
*Total units for the degree may exceed 66 credit hours if proficiency courses are required. New Mexico Highlands University requires a minimum of 66 credit hours for this degree.
Emphasis in General Music (8 credit hours):
Choose a single subject for Applied Music:
MUSC 2510 Applied Music (2/2) (2 semesters)
Choose a single subject for Ensemble:
MUSC 1310 Recital Attendance (0/0/0) (3 semesters)
MUSC 2120 Ensemble (1/1/1/1) (4 semesters)
Major Total: 24 credit hours
Core Total: 35 credit hours
Extended Core: 5 credit hours
Total for Degree: 64 credit hours *
*Total units for the degree may exceed 64 credit hours if proficiency courses are required. New Mexico Highlands University requires a minimum of 66 credit hours for this degree.
Concentration in Musical Theater (10 credit hours):
MUSC 1310 Recital Attendance (0/0/0) (3 semesters)
MUSC 2510 Applied Music: Voice (2/2) (2 semesters)
MUSC 2993 Musical Theater (2)
THEA 1220 Acting 1: The Actor Prepares (3)
THEA 1415 Theater Practicum (1)
Major Total: 26 credit hours
Core Total: 35 credit hours
Extended Core: 5 credit hours
Total for Degree: 66 credit hours *
*Total units for the degree may exceed 66 credit hours if proficiency courses are required. New Mexico Highlands University requires a minimum of 66 credit hours for this degree.
Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music (BFA) Degrees
(various concentrations)
The following courses are required for all concentrations for the BA and BFA in Music degrees.
Required core for all concentrations: 35 credit hours
MUSC 1210 Rudiments of Music (3)
Choose one:
MUSC 1006 Basic Songwriting (1) or
MUSC 1008 Basic Instrument (1) or
MUSC 1440 Class Voice 1 (1)
MUSC 1230 Sight Singing (3)
MUSC 2001 Class Piano 1 (1)
MUSC 2002 Class Piano 2 (1)
MUSC 2008 Class Piano 3 (1)
MUSC 1160 Theory 1 (3)
MUSC 1165 Theory 2 (3)
MUSC 1385 Aural Skills 2 (1)
MUSC 3110 Western ART Music to 1750 (3)
MUSC 3120 Western ART Music since 1750 (3)
MUSC 3170 Functional Piano (1)
MUSC 3180 Piano Proficiency (0)
MUSC 3220 Choral Conducting (2)
MUSC 3230 Instrumental Conducting (2)
MUSC 3310 Theory 3 (3)
MUSC 3320 Theory 4 (3)
MUSC 3330 Aural Skills 3 (1)
BA/BFA Music Core Total: 35 credit hours
Concentration in Music Education (BA)
Required Music Core (see above): 35 credit hours
Additional requirements for concentration: 26 credit hours
MUSC 1310 Recital Attendance (0/0) (2 semesters)
MUSC 2120 Major Ensemble: (1/1) (2 semesters)
MUSC 2510 Applied Courses (2/2) (2 semesters)
MUSC 3500 K-12 Music Methods (3)
MUSC 3600 Half Recital (1)
MUSC 3830 Ensemble (1/1/1/1) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4250 Instrumental Techniques (4)
MUSC 4510 Applied Music (2/2/2/2) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4690 Recital Attendance (0/0/0/0) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4700 Full Recital (1)
Music BA/BFA Core: 35 credit hours
Music Education Concentration Total: 26 credit hours
Secondary Ed Minor: 28 credit hours
Secondary Education Extended Core: 14-17 credits
Core Requirements: 21 credit hours
Flex Requirements: 10 credit hours
Extended Requirements: 8 credit hours
Proficiency Requirements: 11-17 credit hours
Total for degree: 153-162 credit hours minimum*
*A minor in Secondary Education is required for state licensure, which may begin in the sophomore year. Students should choose a primary area of specialization in vocal or instrumental music. Music Education majors consult with advisors in both Music and Education. The number of proficiency credit requirements will vary based on student placement scores.
Concentration in Music Technology and Composition (BA)
Required Music Core (see above): 35 credit hours (18 upper division)
Additional requirements for concentration: 28 credit hours (17 upper division)
MUSC 1310 Recital Attendance (0/0) (2 semesters)
MUSC 2120 Major Ensemble (1/1) (2 semesters)
MUSC 2310 Sound and Music Technology (3)
MUSC 2510 Applied Courses: Songwriting (2)
MUSC 2510 Applied Courses: Recording (2)
MUSC 3600 Half Recital (1)
MUSC 3830 Ensemble (1/1/1/1) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4510 Applied Music: Songwriting (2/2) (2 semesters)
MUSC 4510 Applied Music: Arranging (2)
MUSC 4510 Applied Music: Mastering (2)
MUSC 4690 Recital Attendance (0/0/0/0) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4700 Full Recital (1)
MUSC 4750 Sound Design (3)
MUSC 4770 Music Technology Practicum (2)
Music BA/BFA Core: 35 credit hours
Technology Concentration Total: 28 credit hours
*Minor: 20 credit hours minimum
Core Requirements: 21 credit hours
Flex Requirements: 10 credit hours
Extended Requirements: 8 credit hours
Proficiency Requirements: 11-17 credit hours
Total for degree: 133-139 credit hours*
*A minor is required for this degree. At least 20 credit hours, with 10 from upper-division level (3000-4999) are required and available for the minor. The number of proficiency credit requirements will vary based on student placement scores.
Concentration in Universal Music (BA)
Required Music Core (see above): 35 credit hours (18 upper division)
Additional requirements for concentration: 23 credit hours (14 upper division)
MUSC 1310 Recital Attendance (0/0) (2 semesters)
MUSC 2120 Major Ensemble (1/1) (2 semesters)
MUSC 2310 Sound and Music Technology (3)
MUSC 2510 Applied Courses: (2/2) (2 semesters)
MUSC 3600 Half Recital (1)
MUSC 3830 Ensemble (1/1/1/1) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4510 Applied Courses: (2/2/2/2) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4690 Recital Attendance (0/0/0/0) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4700 Full Recital (1)
Music BA/BFA Core: 35 credit hours
Universal Music Concentration Total: 23 credit hours
*Minor: 20 credit hours
Core Requirements: 21 credit hours
Flex Requirements: 10 credit hours
Extended Requirements: 8 credit hours
Proficiency Requirements: 11-17 credit hours
Total for degree: 128-134 credit hours*
*A minor is required for this degree. At least 22 credit hours, with 10 from upper division (3000-4999) are required and available for the minor. The number of proficiency credit requirements will vary based on student placement scores.
Concentration in Vocal Performance (BFA)
Required Music Core (see above): 35 credit hours (18 upper division)
Additional requirements for concentration 45 credits hours (27 upper division)
MUSC 1310 Recital Attendance (0/0) (2 semesters)
MUSC 2120 Major Ensemble (1/1/1/1) (4 semesters)
MUSC 2510 Applied Courses: Voice (2/2) (2 semesters)
MUSC 3600 Half Recital (1)
MUSC 3830 Ensemble (1/1/1/1) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4120 History of Opera (3)
MUSC 4510 Applied Music: (2/2/2/2) (4 semesters required)
MUSC 4690 Recital Attendance (0/0/0/0) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4700 Full Recital (1)
Vocal Performance Electives: 19 credit hours in any Music or Theater courses
Music BA/BFA Core: 35 credit hours
Vocal Performance Concentration Total: 45 credit hours
Core Requirements: 21 credit hours
Flex Requirements: 10 credit hours
Extended Requirements: 8 credit hours
Proficiency Requirements: 11-17 credit hours
Total for degree: 130-136 credit hours*
*A minor is not required for BFA degrees. The number of proficiency credit requirements will vary based on student placement scores.
Music Production (BFA)
Required Music Core (see above): 35 credit hours (18 upper division)
Additional requirements for concentration: 36 credits (27 upper division)
MUSC 1310 Recital Attendance (0/0) (2 semesters)
MUSC 2120 Ensemble (1/1) (2 semesters)
MUSC 2310 Sound and Music Technology (3)
MUSC 2510 Applied Courses: Songwriting (2)
MUSC 2510 Applied Courses: Recording (2)
MUSC 3600 Half Recital (1)
MUSC 3830 Ensemble (1/1/1/1) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4250 Instrumental Techniques (4)
MUSC 4510 Applied Music: Songwriting (2/2) (2 semesters)
MUSC 4510 Applied Music: Arranging (2)
MUSC 4510 Applied Music: Mastering (2)
MUSC 4690 Recital Attendance (0/0/0/0) (4 semesters)
MUSC 4700 Full Recital (1) MUSC 4750 Sound Design (3)
MUSC 4770 Music Technology Practicum (2)
MUSC 4760 Musical Theater (2/2) (2 semesters)
Music Production Electives: 9 credit hours in Music or Theater
Music BA/BFA core: 35 credit hours
Music Production concentration: 36 credit hours
Major Total: 80 credit hours
Core Requirements: 21 credit hours
Flex Requirements: 10 credit hours
Extended Requirements: 8 credit hours
Proficiency Requirements: 11-17 credit hours
Total for degree: 130-136 credit hours*
*A minor is not required for BFA degrees. The number of proficiency credit requirements will vary based on student placement scores.