Jul 23, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Music Composition, B.A.


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Offered by Music .

Students in the Music Composition, B.A. receive a solid grounding in music theory and composition, preparing them for graduate school and work as a professional musician. Students are required to continue to study an instrument and perform while they take composition classes and private study, culminating in a senior recital of their works. Often performance faculty, all of whom are experts in contemporary performance techniques, serve as advisors or collaborators with student composers. Composition majors benefit from the many composers and contemporary ensembles who perform annually at UMBC, an award-winning center for contemporary music in the Baltimore-Washington region. Students cite access to performance faculty who are experts in contemporary music, the Sonic Arts Lab, and professional recordings of all their performances as major benefits of the program. 

University Requirements


Completion of Minimum University Requirements for an Undergraduate Baccalaureate Degree .

  • Minimum 120 credits and minimum GPA of 2.0
  • Completion of 45 upper-level credits, the residence requirement, the Writing Intensive requirement, and the General Education requirement

Major Requirements


  • Minimum 90 credits
  • Minimum grade of ‘C’ in courses applied to the major, except where otherwise indicated
  • Students submit portfolios after MUSC 312  and third semester of MUSC 401  

Course Requirements


Additional Music Requirements (23 credits)


Complete 23 credits from the following:

Recital Preparation


Complete 8 credits of the following:

Private Lessons and Ensembles (18 credits)


Projects in Composition or Music Production


Complete 9 credits from three semesters of MUSC 401  or one semester of MUSC 428  and two semesters of MUSC 401 .

Foreign Language


Students planning graduate work are strongly recommended to complete the study of a language pertinent to their area of research through the 202 level.

Four-Year Academic Pathways


The Four-Year Academic Pathways webpage offers helpful sample pathways for students eager to explore their academic options and stay on track for a four-year graduation. These pathways provide a starting point for students to plan how to complete their degree in four years. However, it’s important to remember that these are just samples. In consultation with their academic advisor, each student will create an individualized degree plan that reflects their unique academic background, interests, and career goals.

Students must develop their personalized degree plan by the time they’ve earned 45 credits and regularly update it with their advisor as their goals and academic journey evolve. This approach ensures that students make thoughtful, strategic choices that set them up for success throughout their time at UMBC.

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