Music Major
The music major at Saint Joseph’s University provides a comprehensive curriculum that deepens musical understanding and awareness, fosters creative expression and encourages critical analysis and inquiry. It combines coursework in music theory, composition, history and performance.
Goal 1: Perform, create, and compose music.
Objective 1.1: Students will perform and compose music that expresses their creativity and unique voices, showing an understanding of musical notation, technical skills, and musicianship.
Goal 2: Analyze music in support of interpretation and creative work.
Objective 2.1: Students will analyze important aspects of musical style, formal design, and melodic and harmonic structure, both in score and aurally.
Goal 3: Examine the intersections of music with history and social practice.
Objective 3.1: Students will study, analyze, and interrogate the relationships between music, history, and culture in speech and writing.
Goal 4: Prepare students for entry into professional careers or graduate studies.
Objective 4.1: Students will demonstrate career preparation through experiential learning opportunities and individual projects that develop creative, technical, analytical, and/or problem-solving skills.
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
- 1
Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
Three courses from the following options:
- Any course in Art History.
- Any course in Computer Science.
- Any course in Psychology.
- Any course in Modern and Classical Languages at or above 300.
- Any course in History at or above 200.
- Any course in English at or above 200.
- Any course in Sociology at or above 200.
- Any course in Philosophy at or above 200.
- Any course in Political Science at or above 300.
- Any course in Communication Studies at or above 200.
Students are encouraged to discuss their academic goals with their advisor and to make a plan for fulfilling the Integrative Learning Component which meets their specific objectives. Other College of Arts & Sciences courses will be accepted with the approval of the Department Chair.
Major Requirements
Eleven courses plus four semesters of performance.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Theory Core | ||
| MTF 151 | Music Fundamentals 1 | 3 |
| MTF 251 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MTF 351 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| Music History Core | ||
| MTF 157 | Westrn Music Hist: MidAge-1750 | 3 |
| MTF 158 | Western Music Hist: 1750-Pres | 3 |
| MTF 156 | Intro to World Music | 3 |
| or MTF 257 | American Music | |
| Music Theory Upper Level | ||
| MTF 252 | Music Composition I | 3 |
| or MTF 357 | Music Theory III | |
| Music History Upper Level | ||
| MTF 370 | Special Topics | 3 |
| Music Capstone | ||
| MTF 496 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Performance | ||
| Four semesters 2 | ||
| Music Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| History of Rock and Pop | ||
| Music in Film | ||
| Introduction to Music Therapy | ||
| Intro to World Music (if not selected above) | ||
| Contemporary Music | ||
| History of Broadway Musical | ||
| Basic Conducting | ||
| Music Composition I (if not selected above) | ||
| Choral Music | ||
| Jazz in Performance | ||
| Intro to Music Technology | ||
| American Music (if not selected above) | ||
| Major Composers | ||
| Musical Theatre Performance | ||
| Music Composition II | ||
| Advanced Vocal Performance | ||
| Advanced Piano Performance | ||
| Adv Ensemble Performance | ||
| Music Theory III (if not selected above) | ||
| Adv Instrumental Performance | ||
| Special Topics | ||
- 1
If a student places out of Music Fundamentals, this requirement is met by taking Music Theory I, II, and III.
- 2
A combination of four semesters of participation in a department-sponsored performance ensemble or private studio.
Ensembles include: Jazz Ensemble, University Singers, Concert Choir, Chamber Music
Private Studios include: Guitar, Piano, Strings, Brass, and Voice
Free Electives
Ten to twelve to courses, depending on how many required courses in variable core and choice of concentration.
Music Therapy Concentration
Eleven courses plus ten credits of lessons.
All Music Therapy Concentration students are required to take the following courses in Psychology to fulfill the Integrative Learning Component:
- PSY 100 Introductory Psychology or PSY 101 Intro Psychology Seminar
- PSY 120 Lifespan Development or PSY 231 Developmental Psychology
- PSY 122 Abnormal Psychology/Non-Majors or PSY 232 Adv. Psychological Disorders
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Theory Core | ||
| MTF 151 | Music Fundamentals 1 | 3 |
| MTF 251 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MTF 351 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| Music History Core | ||
| MTF 157 | Westrn Music Hist: MidAge-1750 | 3 |
| MTF 158 | Western Music Hist: 1750-Pres | 3 |
| MTF 156 | Intro to World Music | 3 |
| or MTF 257 | American Music | |
| Music Theory Upper Level | ||
| MTF 252 | Music Composition I | 3 |
| or MTF 357 | Music Theory III | |
| Music History Upper Level | ||
| MTF 370 | Special Topics | 3 |
| Music Therapy Capstone | ||
| MTF 495 | Senior Project Development | 3 |
| MTF 496 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Music Electives | ||
| MTF 144 | Introduction to Music Therapy | 3 |
| Performance | ||
| Six semesters of voice lessons. | ||
| Two semesters of piano lessons. | ||
| Two semesters of guitar lessons. | ||
- 1
If a student places out of Music Fundamentals, this requirement is met by taking Music Theory I, II, and III.