<p>Why does IU not offer a BA degree path in music? I want to pursue music, but I don't want to focus solely on music; I would like to double major in a more academic subject along with music. This makes pursuing a BM degree along with a liberal arts BA degree incredibly hard, especially at a conservatory at the level of the Jacobs School of Music. IU would be my ideal school, but it's impossible to pursue my intended studies without a BA in music. I was wondering why they don't give that option.</p>
<p>Also, as a side note, I am NOT interested in the BS in Music and an Outside Field (BSOF). I want to get the full liberal arts education with an emphasis on music, not solely a music degree.</p>
<p>Nobody have any input?</p>
<p>I do not know very much about the music department other than it is consistently ranked #1 or 2 in the nation.</p>
<p>My guess would be that it is difficult to double major because they have so many music requirements (which is why their program is so good). The more music classes you have to take means the better education and ranking of the school, but also makes it that much harder to double major.</p>
<p>If you check, you will see that Indiana University at Bloomington offers degrees in many music categories. Bachelors degrees are offered in Music (performance), Music education (for those who want to teach music), and in Musical Theatre (not in the Jacobs school of music, but in a separate school).</p>
<p>What you appear to be interested in is a major in Music Theory. While Indiana University at Bloomington offers both masters and PhDs in this major, they do not offer a bachelors degree in this major. For this reason, you should either consider another school that offers the major, or else apply to IU-B indicating that you want to have an “individualized” major–and then take the time to talk to the faculty and see how willing they are in helping you design a major similar to a bachelors in musical theory–possibly in conjunction with a second major in a liberal arts field.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Calcruzer - I had never even considered creating an individualized major. Thanks for the suggestion. Now, my next question is this: If I graduate with an individualized major, will I be able to market it seriously in the professional world? I’ve never heard of anyone with an individualized major, so I’m wondering if a potential employer would view it the same as he/she would a reputable major typical of a college education.</p>
<p>Individualized majors are often very attractive to employers–although it naturally depends upon what the major is. A major in something like “Discrete Production Scheduling and Distribution” would be very attractive to a major manufacturer that had a supply chain operation and international distribution. On the other hand, a major in “Magic and its Mainsteam Application” will be limited to circuses or Vegas casinos or maybe politicians.</p>
<p>One of the Indiana University students who was recently admitted to the Harvard Law school was someone who took an individualized major at IU-B in “The Business of Music”. His focus at Harvard is on the applicability of law to the music industry–specifically music marketing and licensing. This was recently advertised on the Kelley Business School website;–so, yes, students taking individualized majors can be quite successful after graduation.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! That’s a great help.</p>
<p>You should look into the Bachelor of Science and Outside Field (BSoF) offered by the JSoM. It is not as intense as the “standard” music degree, but it might be just what you are looking for…</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.music.indiana.edu/undergraduate/pdf/degree/bsof.pdf[/url]”>http://www.music.indiana.edu/undergraduate/pdf/degree/bsof.pdf</a></p>