Embedded Visual
Performance
Majoring in Music Performance is a comprehensively designed sequence of study to prepare students for a career as a professional musician, a studio teacher, or a college professor.
Music Education – Choral
Prepares students to teach general, choral, and instrumental music to grades K–12. An emphasis in Choral offers specialization in the teaching of singing and choral literature.
Music Theory
Prepares students with a strong foundation in the academic study of analytical techniques and compositional structure: for careers in teaching, composition, arranging, editing, and publishing.
Music Education – Instrumental
Prepares students to teach general, choral, and instrumental music to grades K–12. This specialization emphasizes teaching wind, string, and percussion instruments, as well as band and orchestra literature.
Music Education – General
Prepares students to teach music to grades K–12. An emphasis in General offers specialization in teaching basic musicianship tailored to the developmental levels of elementary and middle school.
Jazz Studies
Majoring in Jazz Studies provides students with in-depth performance and analytical study of this stylistic music, focusing on harmonic structure and improvisation. This major prepares students for careers in teaching, performance, recording, composition, arranging, editing, and publishing.

A student's primary area of academic focus in college, typically aligned with their intended career path. At some institutions, it may also be called a "concentration" or "field of study."

Major
4,478 different music degree program majors in the United States; 25,860 music degrees awarded in 2025; 2.28 million working musicians in America; $70,786 average annual wage for a U.S. musician; employment opportunity is 3.24% annual growth equaling 73,872 new positions opening each year; largest employer of musicians is public, charter, and private schools, followed by colleges, universities, and conservatories; largest employer of performing musicians is the U.S. military; U.S. cities with the largest number of professional musicians: Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and Honolulu. 4,478 different music degree program majors in the United States; 25,860 music degrees awarded in 2025; 2.28 million working musicians in America; $70,786 average annual wage for a U.S. musician; employment opportunity is 3.24% annual growth equaling 73,872 new positions opening each year; largest employer of musicians is public, charter, and private schools, followed by colleges, universities, and conservatories; largest employer of performing musicians is the U.S. military; U.S. cities with the largest number of professional musicians: Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and Honolulu.
Composition
Composition
Majoring in Composition provides in-depth knowledge of musical forms and compositional idioms from various periods of music history, along with essential skills for future creative expression.
Composition
Songwriting
Songwriting
Majoring in Songwriting prepares students to write artfully and create commercially viable songs, equipping them to pursue a career as a songwriter in today’s entertainment industry.
Songwriting
Film/Gaming Scoring
Film/Gaming Scoring
A focused composition degree blending writing, arranging, and orchestration with digital audio production. Students learn to create and mix music for visual media.
Film/Gaming Scoring

Understanding College Degrees and Majors

From BA to BM: Speak the Language of College Music Majors (and Sound Brilliant Doing It)

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Music Therapy
Music Therapy
An immersive program that blends music, psychology, and health sciences to prepare students for clinical work. Through coursework and hands-on experience, students learn to use music to support emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being across all ages.
Music Therapy
Musical Theater
Musical Theater
Prepares students for the professional stage and screen through focused training in voice, acting, dance, and movement. The program builds versatility, emotional authenticity, and the discipline needed for auditions, rehearsals, and live or recorded productions.
Musical Theater
Collaborative Piano
Collaborative Piano
Focuses on the art of musical partnership. Students develop advanced piano skills while learning to rehearse and perform with vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles. This major prepares pianists for professional roles as accompanists, chamber musicians, opera coaches, and rehearsal pianists.
Collaborative Piano
Music

Music

This major combines core studies in music theory, history, and performance with electives outside of music. It is ideal for students who want to double major, pursue interdisciplinary interests, or explore career paths beyond performance—such as artist management, music journalism, or performing arts administration.

Interdisciplinary Focus
Music Business

Music Business

Majoring in Music Business involves focused study on merchandising, copyright & publishing, and artist management.

Music Business

Recording Industry

Recording Industry

Music Recording Technology focuses on mastering studio tools and collaborating with musicians to achieve the desired sound.

Recording Industry

Music History

Music History

An in-depth study of music across periods and places. Graduates pursue teaching, journalism, archival research, or critique.

Music History

Piano Pedagogy

Piano Pedagogy

Focus on the art and science of teaching piano: technique, repertoire, learning theory, and instructional methods.

Piano Pedagogy

Musicology

Musicology

Broad study of music and sound in cultural, intellectual, and historical contexts.

Musicology

Music Technology

Music Technology

Blend music & CS: AI composition, voice cloning, game audio, instrument design, and music data analysis.

Music Technology

Music Ministry

Music Ministry

Combines theology, worship leadership, and choral training for service in traditional or liturgical churches.

Music Ministry

Worship Studies

Worship Studies

Integrates theological and musical training to equip students as skilled worship leaders for today's contexts.

Worship Studies