Majors, Minors, and Programs

Just an hour from Washington, D.C., UMW is a small school with growing diversity and passionate master teachers. Our liberal arts and sciences curriculum – with more than 60 majors, minors, and courses of study – will challenge your mind and let you explore.

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UMW music department class and rehearsals, Thursday April 3, 2014. (Photo by Norm Shafer).

Music

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Major in music at the University of Mary Washington and you’ll engage your mind, body and senses – but the benefits don’t stop with you. You’ll share the gift of music whether through composition, education or performance. Go beyond core courses to discover what moves you most, then pursue it with passion. All the while you’ll gain the critical thinking and communications skills to prepare you for graduate study or a career in music right out of college.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in Music who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music.

Areas of Study

Music majors get a broad background through courses in a performance area, music theory, and music history. All music graduates earn a bachelor’s degree in music, and some choose to add education courses for teacher certification. To specialize, students need to plan and schedule courses carefully to include elective courses, independent study, and internships.

Career Opportunities

UMW music majors leave prepared for graduate study, performance, composition, research, production, sound engineering, and more. Graduates who include music education often teach in public schools.

Internships

Music majors have the opportunity to complete internships under faculty supervision in music performance and music education.

Honors

Learn more about how to earn honors in music at the Honors Program page of the undergraduate catalog.

Requirements

Students seeking a degree in music must complete courses in music theory, music history, and music performance. Placement in individual lessons and ensembles is based on audition, which all music majors must complete. Majors pursuing teaching certification must register with the College of Education and take music education classes.

Scholarships

The Department of Music offers many scholarships. In addition, the UMW Philharmonic has one of the largest and most progressive scholarship programs in the nation, and it offers generous scholarships to student members.

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Special Majors

Students also have the option to design a special major that combines courses from two or more academic disciplines into a coherent plan of study. Special majors are developed with a faculty advisor and approved by a curriculum committee. Examples of some of the special majors UMW students have developed are journalism, digital media studies, Italian studies, linguistics, biochemistry, communication, arts management, and Latin American studies.

Honors Program

The undergraduate Honors Program offers advanced students the opportunity to engage in rigorous honors designated coursework, interdisciplinary seminars, strong internship experiences, extended research and creative projects, and community service as part of a supportive community of learners.

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