Why study Music?

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music program at CCM culminates in a liberal arts degree that provides students with flexible pathways for the study of music as a cultural and artistic practice. After completing a core that focuses on listening, writing, and thinking about a diverse array of music, students select classes in areas such as sound technologies, music and cultural history, ethnographic approaches, composition, analytical skills, and applied music-making.

Because of the liberal arts focus of the bachelor of arts degree, students primarily interested in performance should apply to a bachelor of music (BM) degree in their instrument.

The BA Music curriculum is flexible, and students design their coursework to emphasize particular skill areas or to complete a broader course of study that samples from all areas. Ample electives allow for the possibility to complete double-majors, minors, certificate programs (including pre-law or pre-med coursework) and to participate in study abroad opportunities. These experiences culminate in an individual capstone research project with a CCM faculty member.

CCM’s BA in Music is a gateway to careers in music and allied fields, including music promotions, arts administration, music therapy, journalism, ethnomusicology, musicology, music theory, composition, songwriting, commercial music production, and library science.

CCM is a college within the University of Cincinnati, a major undergraduate university and graduate research institution of more than 40,000 students. The synergy created by housing CCM within a comprehensive public university gives the college its unique character and defines its objective: to educate and inspire the whole artist and scholar for positions on the world's stage.

Scholarships are available for qualified students.

Career Possibilities

CCM’s Bachelor of Arts in Music culminates in a liberal arts degree, which can be a gateway to careers in music and allied fields, including music promotions, arts administration, music therapy, journalism, ethnomusicology, musicology, music theory, composition, songwriting, commercial music production and library science.

Major Maps

• Guide: Music 2024-2025

UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Described by the New York Times as "one of this country's leading conservatories," CCM offers students unparalleled opportunities to perform, learn and live in a thriving next-generation city known for its intense interest in the performing and media arts.

Nationally ranked and internationally renowned, CCM’s state-of-the-art facilities provide a highly creative and multidisciplinary artistic environment. The college serves as the largest single source of performing and media arts events in Ohio, and few schools can match the quality of its performing ensembles and theatrical productions.

The Bachelor of Arts in Music presents a special opportunity to pursue liberal arts study across the University of Cincinnati’s many outstanding programs, while also drawing upon the benefits of studying music in a world-class conservatory environment. The undergraduate music major has an opportunity to study music with some of the leading professionals in applied and academic musical fields.

UC’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is located in a city long known for its love of the performing arts. The legendary King Records made this city one of the birthplaces of country, bluegrass and R&B. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performs in beautiful Music Hall as well as in its summer home, Riverbend Music Center. The city boasts a long history of jazz greats and a burgeoning jazz and popular music scene. The Cincinnati May Festival is the oldest continuous choral festival of its kind in the nation, and the Cincinnati Opera brings major artists to the city. The Cincinnati Art Museum, Taft Museum, Museum of Natural History, Contemporary Arts Center, Playhouse in the Park, and Cincinnati Ballet Company offer outstanding cultural opportunities. The city is also home to diverse and international communities featuring renowned artists of West African, Indian, Persian, and Chinese heritage.

Admission Requirements

CCM’s admission requirements vary by program. Please visit the CCM Admissions website for additional information. All programs require both the appropriate University application followed by a pre-screening submission via CCM's Acceptd website, which must be completed and uploaded by Dec. 1.

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