student playing tuba

Combinations of knowledge and skills in music, administration, management, and other business-oriented content are important for practice in many fields. The music industry in particular benefits greatly from professionals with a solid education in both business and music. Business skills are also essential for many careers in music, from private studio teaching to concert planning and promoting.  This program offers the advantages of in-depth business training, a solid musical education, and a liberal arts education.

Students received two degrees after the end of four years:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.) from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama and Art 
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) from the Busch School of Business.  Students select one of eleven business specializations.  

Admission

  • Students should indicate their interest in the dual degree program at the time of application to the University.
  • Entrance into the Bachelor of Arts in Music does not require an audition, but prospective students are invited to audition if they would like to be considered for a music scholarship.
  • A student who matriculates in one of the two degrees can still apply for the dual degree before the end of the first full year of study (which may result in needing more than four years to complete the program).

Academic Details

This is an academically rigorous program, which requires carrying at least seventeen credit-hours most semesters. At the end of the first year, students’ academic progress will be reviewed by their advisers in both the School of Music and the School of Business; students with a cumulative grade point average below 3.20 will be required to take a reduced course load (of no more than fifteen credits) in the second year, which may lengthen the time to complete the degree unless the student takes summer courses. Students with a particularly low GPA and/or serious issues with their academic progress may be required to withdraw from the dual degree program at the end of the first year, in which case they will solely pursue either the B.A. in Music or the B.S.B.A. in Business. In this case, a minor in the other field, or a double major in business can be a viable alternative to the dual degree.

Course curriculum

  • Music Requirements

    All B.A. students must complete a minimum of four semesters of private instruction in a performance area at three semester hours of credit per semester. All students must also complete a minimum of four semesters of any School of Music performing organization, such as University Symphony Orchestra, Catholic University Chamber Choir, University Chorus, and Wind Ensemble. Students will select the appropriate ensemble in consultation with the School of Music adviser. All ensembles require the student to pass an audition before being permitted to register (audition information is typically circulated in the weeks leading up to the start of the fall semester).

    All students are required to study piano, as keyboard skills are crucial for gaining a full understanding of musical concepts. Beginners will normally take Class Piano I and II, though more advanced students may audition for private instruction; in this case, the piano lessons may count toward both private instruction and piano requirements, and the two prerequisite credit hours of Class Piano will be waived.

    All incoming Freshmen take a Theory Evaluation Test before the start of the first year (incoming students will be contacted by the music office at the start of the summer before they matriculate, typically as soon as the incoming student’s Catholic University email account is set up. The exam is usually administered in early June. Please contact the music office if you have missed this testing window). The TET is an online test given via the Brightspace online course management system. A student who does not pass this exam must successfully complete Fundamentals of Music Theory (MUS 101, offered in the spring term) before being permitted to take MUS 123- Music Theory I; students who are required to take Fundamentals of Music Theory may need to take a theory course over at least one summer in order to graduate in four years. Students with exceptional skills in theory/analysis may test out of theory courses via credit by examination. Transfer students take the Theory Placement Exam and should consult with the music school office for particulars. Students are required to take History of Music I, II, a Music History Elective (MUS 5XX) in the sequence listed.

    Music elective credits, when used as substitutes for music course credits, may be satisfied by either MUS or MUPI. In order for MUPI credits to count toward the degree, a jury is required. Students who take private piano instruction in lieu of Class Piano are not required to perform a jury.

  • Music Prerequisites

    • MUS 123, 124, 223, 224 Music Theory I-IV - 12 Credits
    • MUS 183, 184 Class Piano I, II (1 credit each) 2 Credits
    • Total Prerequisite Credits: 14

  • Major Area in Music

    • MUPI 4XX Private Instruction, (min. 4 semesters @ 3 credits) 12 Credits
    • MUS ___ Performing Organization, (min. 4 semesters @ 1 credit) 4 Credits
    • MUS 321 Form and Analysis I, 3 Credits
    • MUS 325, 326, 327 History of Music I, II, III (3 credits each) 9 Credits
    • Total Credits in Music (excluding prerequisites): 28

  • Core Courses in Business

    • BUS 199 Exploration: Career Discernment I
    • ENT 118 The Vocation of Business
    • SRES 101 (or ECON 102 or ECON 104) Foundations of Economic Thought I
    • SRES 102 (or ECON 101 or ECON 103) Foundations of Economic Thought II
    • MGT 123A/B Foundations of Business 
    • BUS 299A Application: Career Discernment II
    • MGT 250 Business Communications
    • MGT 265/ECON 223/HSSS 203 Introduction to Business Analytics
    • SRES 290 International Political Economy
    • ACCT 205 Introduction to Financial Accounting
    • ACCT 206 Introduction to Managerial Accounting
    • FIN 226 Financial Management
    • BUS 399A Networking: Career Discernment III
    • MKT 345 Marketing Management
    • MGT 301 Ethics in Business
    • MGT 321 or 322 or 371 Business Law I or Business Law II or The Legal and Policy Aspects of Government Regulation of Business
    • BUS 499A Decision-Making: Career Discernment IV
    • MGT 475 Business Strategy (Senior Capstone)
    • Total Credits in General Studies: 46

  • Specialization Area

    Eleven specialization options are available within the BSBA degree.  A student must select at least one specialization.  Students may select two specializations, but this will increase the course load.  If a student is completing multiple specializations and requirements are repeated across specializations, only one course may double-count between specializations.  

    • Accounting Specialization (distinct from B.S. in Accounting)
    • Data Analytics for Business
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Finance
    • International Business
    • Marketing
    • Markets and Political Economy
    • People and Organizations
    • Sales
    • Sports Management 
    • Technology and Operations Management 

    Total Credits for Single Specialization: 15

  • Math/Business Analytics Requirements

    • MATH 110 or 111 or 121* Finite Mathematics for Business or Calculus for Social – Life Science I or Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
      • *(Students may take Math Placement to test out of MATH 110, and complete a different course to meet their Liberal Arts core requirement)
    • MGT 240 Management of Information, MGT 351 Introduction to Business Intelligence, MGT 361 Data Analytics and Visualization for Business, or FIN 313: Financial Modeling in Excel

    • Total Credits in Math/Business Analytics: 6

  • Elective Courses in Business

    • Any course in MKT, MGT, FIN, SRES, ENT, ACCT, or ECON
    • Students with a double-specialization do not need an elective
    • Total Credits in Electives: 3

  • General Studies

    • PHIL 201 The Classical Mind, 3 Credits
    • PHIL 202 The Modern Mind, 3 Credits
    • PHIL ___ One Philosophy Elective, 3 Credits
    • TRS 201 Foundations in Theology I, 3 Credits
    • TRS 202 Foundations in Theology II, 3 Credits
    • TRS ___ Theology Elective, 3  Credits
    • ENG 101 Writing: Logic and Rhetoric, 3 Credits
    • ___ Foundations in Natural Science, 3 Credits
    • ___ Explorations in Literature, 3 Credits
    • ___ Foundations in Social Science, 3 Credits
    • ___ Foundations in History or Political Science, 3 Credits
    • ___, ___ Two Intermediate Language Courses in an Ancient or Modern Foreign Language, 6 Credits
    • Total Credits in General Studies: 39

  • Total Credits for Degree Program

    The combined degree with music, business, and general education courses totals 151 Credits.