At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    BM

Gain the knowledge and teaching experience to continue to advanced study in school-based music education with a Bachelor of Music in Music Studies.

Bachelor of Music in Music Studies

Man in winter hat teaching young girl the violin.

As a music studies major, you’ll learn in a creative, engaging environment designed to help you become an outstanding music educator.

You’ll build a strong foundation in musicianship, performance and pedagogy while gaining hands-on teaching experience in schools and community settings starting your first year. The program will train you to become a critical thinker and a creative problem solver toward excellence in teaching.

The Bachelor of Music in Music Studies prepares you for careers in private school music education, studio teaching, community music settings and arts outreach organizations. It also prepares you for advanced study in our graduate programs.

Please note: This program does not provide a license to teach in public schools upon graduation. Students interested in public school music teaching are eligible to pursue our Master of Music Education with Teaching Licensure. Upon graduation from the master's program, you will be fully licensed to teach in public school with a master's degree in music teaching.

Career Outlook for Music Studies Majors

  • $65.2K

    Median annual salary for bachelor's degree holders in New England
    (Source: Lightcast, 2025)

  • +6.4%

    Projected job growth in New England (2023–2035)
    (Source: Lightcast, 2025)

What Can You Do with a Music Studies Major?

Graduates of UMass Lowell's Music Studies program are prepared to launch careers as music educators outside public school classrooms.
A child from the String Project talks to a UMass Lowell student backstage.

Our alumni have held teaching, music-directing and administrative positions in private and charter schools, private studios, community music centers, arts advocacy and outreach organizations and community music ensembles across Massachusetts and the greater New England region.

Where Our Graduates Work

  • Teaching in private and charter school classrooms
  • Teaching in private studios
  • Music directing community ensembles
  • Teaching in community music programs
  • Developing and leading community music education organizations
  • Musical instrument repair
  • Arts administration

Courses You'll Take in the Music Studies Major

Sample course topics include:

  • Musicianship and Analysis
  • Music History
  • Arranging
  • Introduction to Music Education
  • Music Teaching Methods
  • Technology in Music Education
  • Global Music for the Classroom
  • Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogies
  • Pre-Practicum Training in Classroom Music Education
  • View All Music Courses

Year-by-Year Course Plan

Check out our degree pathways, which offer sample plans for completing your degree in four years.

For students who entered fall 2024 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100		College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)		3
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUTH.1080Musicianship and Analysis 14
MUHI.1040Musical Practices 11
MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 12
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
MATH.xxxxMATH.1110 Quantitative Reasoning recommended (MATH), (QL)13
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUTH.1090Musicianship and Analysis 24
MUHI.1050Musical Practices 2 (DCA)1
MUED.1000Observation Lab 10
MUED.1510Introduction to Music Education (CTPS)2
MUED.1620Percussion Pedagogy1
MUTH.1200Musicianship and Analysis Keyboard Lab2
MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 22
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
Total17

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUTH.1000Recital Attendance0
MUTH.2080Musicianship and Analysis 34
MUHI.2610Music History 1 (AH)3
MUED.1410Brass Pedagogy1
MUED.2410Strings Pedagogy1
MUED.2440Voice Pedagogy1
PSYC.1010Introduction to Psychological Science (SS)3
MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 32
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
Total17

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUTH.1000Recital Attendance0
MUTH.2090Musicianship and Analysis 44
MUHI.2620Music History 2 (AH), (WOC)3
MUED.2470Music Teaching Methods 11
MUED.2490Progressive Music Performance and Production Pedagogy1
MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 42
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total16

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PSYC.2600Child and Adolescent Development (SS)3
MUTH.1000Recital Attendance0
MUPF.2330Conducting 12
MUED.1440Intro to Woodwind Pedagogy1
MUED.3010Technology in Music Education (IL)3
MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 52
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3/4
Total16/17

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total17
MUTH.1000Recital Attendance0
MUPF.2340Conducting 22
MUED.2000Observation Lab 20
MUED.2430Applications of Music Theory in K-12 Music Education1
MUED.4100Global Music for the Classroom3
MUED.xxxxIntro to Pedagogy 2 Elective1
MUED.xxxxIntro to Pedagogy 2 Elective1
MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 62
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Perspective (STEM)3

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUTH.1000Recital Attendance0
MUHI.3010American Music3
MUED.3000Observation Lab 30
MUED.4930Instrumental Ensemble Lab1
MUED.4200Pre-practicum Music Teaching Skills 1 (SRE), (AIL)3
MUED.4920Instrumental Repertoire and Rehearsal Techniques3
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 72
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3/4
Total17/18

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUED.4940Choral Ensemble Lab1
MUED.3940Choral Repertoire and Rehearsal Techniques3
MUTH.3350Arranging3
MUED.4300Pre-practicum Music Teaching Skills 23
MUED.4000Observation Lab 40
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 82
Total14

Total Minimum Credits = 131-133.

1Music Studies students meet the Quantitative Literacy Essential Learning outcome outside the major. See the complete list of approved QL courses.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty adviser to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Please see advisor or contact the Music Department for more specific requirements pertaining to Freshman Chorus, Recital Attendance, Applied Music, Ensembles and Internships.

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

Meet Our Students

Rachel Sullivan with a campus shuttle
Rachel Sullivan '21
Music Education

As a senior, Music studies major Rachel Sullivan gained experience teaching in a local school — both online and in person.

We have one of the best music education programs in the country — it’s very intensive — which is really nice.
Joe Paquin surrounded by a group of singers.
Joe Paquin '25
Sound Recording Technology and Music Studies

An aspiring audio engineer and music teacher, Joe Paquin composed his first choral piece, “Barter,” which was performed at UML’s annual New Music Concert.

I’m so grateful for everyone here. All the faculty are super-supportive and kind.

Why Study Music Studies at UMass Lowell?

Children creating a EcoSonic Playground through a UMass Lowell Music Department project

Teacher Mentors

Work with our network of teaching professionals who mentor students at the pre-practicum and practicum levels. You will gain invaluable feedback in school classroom teaching situations.

A music teacher in the classroom teaching young students with instruments.

Masters with Initial Licensure

Prepare for a career as a music educator in a public school setting with a Master of Music Education with Teaching Licensure degree.  

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Performance Ensembles

Join one of our many performance ensembles, including:

  • Concert Band
  • Wind Ensemble
  • University Choir
  • Chamber Singers
  • World Music Ensemble
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Marching Band
Conductor Deb Huber of the University of Massachusetts Lowell explains a musical phrase to her concert band ensemble. Image by Kevin Harkins

Career Connected Experience: The UMass Lowell Guarantee

Every first-time, first-year UMass Lowell student will have the opportunity to pursue at least one Career Connected Experience (internships, co-ops, clinical placements, service learning, study abroad and more) during their undergraduate career — earning pay, credits or both before they graduate.

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