Undergraduate Degrees

Undergraduate Music Degrees Offered at Lamar University

More Information:
For highly detailed Music Degree Information and Requirements, reference the Music Department's Page in the LU Course Catalog.

For Policies and Guidelines specific to the Music Department, reference the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music Official Student Handbook.         

Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Hours: 123

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education is the appropriate choice for students who wish to become professional music educators with certification to teach in public schools in Texas. This degree has two tracks: band and choral. Pianists who wish to earn this degree generally choose the choral track, although not always.

Bachelor of Music in Performance
Hours: 128 for winds, percussion, and piano. 131 for vocalists.

This degree is for advanced performers who have their sights set on being a professional musician. This degree requires more solo recitals and more music classes. Certification to teach in Texas is not built into this degree. Pursuers of this degree generally audition for graduate school in their senior year to continue studying and earn advanced degrees in performance (Master's and Doctorate). 

Bachelor of Music in Composition
Hours: 128

A degree in music composition from Lamar University prepares the student for a career in concert, film or advanced media scoring.  Some students may also use the degree as a foundation for a profession in higher education. Students wishing to be accepted into the Composition area should already be composing. As part of the application process, they will need to provide their portfolio for review by the Composition area professors. 

Bachelor of Arts in Music
Hours: 124

The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree is a streamlined music degree with fewer hours and requirements, but does not result in certification to teach in Texas. This is a more general degree and is a good choice for students who intend to go to graduate school in more specific fields of music study such as music therapy, music theory or history, or to simply acquire a four-year degree in the area of music that can be applied towards all situations where a college degree is required.

 

Advanced Standing Examinations (ASE)

The Music Department has determined that Advanced Standing Examinations (ASE) will not be approved for any course offered in the Department. Only in extremely rare circumstances (with a written letter of recommendation from the professor of the course in question) will this option be considered. Students who have previously failed the course in question, or who have earned a “D” or lower in the course sequence, will not receive approval for an ASE.
Students who wish to request approval must provide the Department Chair with a detailed request letter (prior to the first day of classes in the given semester) to include: 1) reason for the request explaining the nature of the extremely rare circumstance, 2) evidence of the student’s potential to pass the exam based upon prior study/learning (documentation strongly preferred), and 3) a written letter from the instructor of the course in question recommending that the ASE be approved for the student.