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 fifteen 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 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 Singers, 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 BlackBoard 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 Harmony I (MUS 123) and Ear Training and Sight Singing I (MUS 121); students who are required to take Fundamentals of Music Theory should plan on taking Harmony and Ear Training 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 (this is typically offered in person on the Saturday prior to the start of any given semester). Students are required to take History of Music I, II, and III (MUS 325, 326, 327) 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 121, 122 Ear Training and Sight Singing I, II (2 credits each) 4 Credits
    • MUS 123, 124, 223, 224 Harmony I, II, III, IV (2 credits each) 8 Credits
    • MUS 183, 184 Class Piano I, II (1 credit each) 2 Credits
    • Total Prerequisite Credits: 14

  • Major Area in Music

    • MUPI 169 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

    • MGT 118 The Vocation of Business
    • SRES 101 (or ECON 102 or ECON 104 or HSSS 102) Foundations of Economic Thought I
    • SRES 102 (or ECON 101 or ECON 103) Foundations of Economic Thought II
    • MGT 123A/B or MGT 223 Foundations of Business OR Management: Theory and Practice
    • ACCT 205 Introduction to Financial Accounting
    • ACCT 206 Introduction to Managerial Accounting
    • MKT 345 Marketing Management
    • FIN 226 Financial 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
    • MGT 475 Business Strategy (Senior Capstone)
    • MGT 250 Business Communications
    • Total Credits in General Studies: 33-36

  • Specialization Area

    Fifteen specialization options are available within the BSBA degree.  A student must select at least one specialization.  Students may select up to three specializations.  If a student is completing multiple specializations and requirements are repeated across specializations, only one course may double-count between specializations.  One specialization equals 12 credits.

    Accounting

    • Accounting Specialization

    Business & Public Affairs

    • Business & Public Policy Specialization
    • Business & Society Specialization

    Entrepreneurship

    • Entrepreneurship Specialization

    Finance

    • Finance Specialization
    • Mathematical Finance Specialization

    International Business

    • International Business Specialization (Study Abroad)

    Marketing & Sales

    • Marketing Specialization
    • Sales Specialization

    Strategy, Management, and Operations

    • Human Resources Management Specialization
    • Not-for-Profit Management Specialization
    • Operations Management Specialization
    • Sports Management Specialization
    • Technology Management Specialization
    • Data Analytics for Business Specialization Requirements

  • Math/Computer Science/Statistics Requirements

    • MATH 110 or 111 or 121* Finite Mathematics for Business or Calculus for Social – Life Science I or Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
    • ECON 223 or HSSS 203 Statistics for Business and Economics or Families, Markets, Cities: Social and Scientific Perspectives
    • MGT 240 or MGT 331 Management of Information or Database Management
    • MGT 365 Quantitative Methods in Decision Making
    • Total Credits in General Studies: 12

  • Elective Courses in Business

    • Any course in MKT, MGT, FIN, SRES, ENT, ACCT, or ECON
    • Total Credits in General Studies: 6-9

  • 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 147 Credits.