A new music degree at Midwestern State University offers a broad foundation in music plus flexibility in courses that make different career paths possible. The Bachelor of Musical Arts degree from the Fain College of Fine Arts’ Department of Music is for students who are interested in studying music but whose goal is not teaching or performing.

Graduates with a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree can go on to work in the music industry as arts administrators, industry workers, and music entrepreneurs. Eighteen hours of electives can be taken in any field of study, giving students new options in music-related fields and even apart from music.

“It’s incredibly flexible,” said Jennifer McGowen, chair of the Department of Music. “Students can take other courses, which can lead to careers such as music therapy.”

Examples of pathways possible with the flexibility of the BMA degree include:

• • Elective courses in accounting, marketing, and business administration to be better prepared to open a music studio or instrument repair shop.
• • Electives such as applied guitar lessons and psychology courses that may serve as prerequisites for a graduate music therapy degree.
• • Performing arts health careers can complete pre-requisite biology and chemistry courses to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test and to apply for medical school programs.
• • Electives in computer programming can apply to development of music technology applications.

Students who pursue a BMA must present a half-recital (25-30 minutes of music) during their senior year.

Contact the Department of Music at 940-397-7449 for more information.