Courses | B.A. in Music

Transfer of Credits

Most courses taken at other regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States will be accepted on a comparable course basis. The following core courses will transfer directly:

• Theory I and II (MUSC 154 and MUSC 164)
• Musicianship I, II, III, and IV (MUSC 153, MUSC 163, MUSC 353, and MUSC 363)
• Introduction to Piano and Keyboard Skills I (MUSC 100 and MUSC 118)

In order to pass out of Theory III (MUSC 354) or Keyboard Skills II (MUSC 119), the student must display proficiency by achieving favorable scores on the Theory and Keyboard placement surveys.  

No credit(s) will be given for waived courses. Waiver of courses on the basis of placement surveys without comparable prior course credit will increase elective credits required.

Credit for courses taken at a non-accredited college or university will be granted only through placement or challenge surveys.

Applied Music

In order to graduate, music students must reach primary applied proficiency level standards designated for each degree program. Applied Music lessons are guided by faculty or studio artists who have expertise and professional experience in either the voice or instrument under study, or in composition. Studio artists are affiliated with Biola via “special employee” contracts and thus do not undergo the same process for hire as do faculty. The studio artists are all highly competent individuals who appreciate Biola and endorse the goals of the Conservatory. For more information, see the Conservatory Office.

GPA Requirements

Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the major and receive a minimum grade of C in each required music course.

Curriculum Requirements

Integration Seminar Requirement

All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts music degree program are required to take a Biblical Studies Integration Seminar. This requirement must be fulfilled by taking BBST 4658 Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music.

¹

Keyboard principal students are exempt from MUSC 118 and MUSC 119. Keyboardists must take MUSC 261 and MUSC 262.

Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano.

²

Must be taken for a total of 4 credits through proficiency: level 224.

³

Students may take the Musicianship Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Musicianship requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 153 Musicianship I. Musicianship courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

⁴

Students may take the Theory Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of their Theory requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 098 Introduction to Theory. The first two semesters of Written Theory courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

⁵

4 semesters of Performing Arts Forum required for graduation; at least 2 semesters must be taken for 1 credit.

⁶

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

⁷

Must be taken for a total of 4 credits through proficiency: level 428.

⁸

Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

⁹

Piano students must choose 3-4 credits from MUSC 385, MUSC 420, or MUSC 430.

String students must take MUSC 430.

Voice students must choose 4 credits from MUSC 156, MUSC 157, MUSC 420, or MUSC 430.

¹⁰

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Concentration

Commercial Music

¹

Voice principal students are exempt from MUSC 102 and are required to complete 62 concentration course credits and a total of 130 credits for the degree.

²

Keyboard principal students are exempt from MUSC 118 and MUSC 119. Keyboardists must take MUSC 261 and MUSC 262.

Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano.

³

Must be taken for a total of 6 credits through proficiency: level 223.

⁴

Students may take the Musicianship Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Musicianship requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 153 Musicianship I. Musicianship courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

⁵

Students may take the Theory Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of their Theory requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 098 Introduction to Theory. The first two semesters of Written Theory courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

⁶

4 semesters of Performing Arts Forum required for graduation; at least 2 semesters must be taken for 1 credit.

⁷

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

⁸

Must be taken for a total of 10 credits through proficiency: level 428.

⁹

​Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

¹⁰

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.