Program Requirements
Students receive the Bachelor of Arts in Music (BAM) when they fulfill the following program requirements:
- Completion of 120 credits of course work (normally in 5 years) including 30 credits in General Education requirements (in each of the humanities/fine arts, behavioral/social sciences, and natural science/math) and 90 credits in Music requirement
- The minimum residency requirement consists of four consecutive long semesters (fall or spring) at CAU with a minimum of twelve semester hours in each term.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0
- Graduation portfolio requirement (the recital performance and/or work from other projects.)
TOTAL COST FOR BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC: (120 Units x $345 = $41,400)
Course of Study
BAM Degree Music Requirements: 90 credits
| Course Code & Course Title (Credits) |
| MUCO 101 Music Theory (3) |
| MUCO 201 Tonal Harmony (3) |
| MUCO 210 Arranging I (3) |
| MUCO 220 Jazz Harmony I (2) |
| MUCO 310 Arranging II (3) |
| MUCO 320 Jazz Harmony II (2) |
| MUCO 401 Songwriting (3) |
| MUCO 411 Songwriting for Commercial Music (3) |
| MUCO 421 Orchestration (3) |
| MUEN 101 Ensemble I (2) |
| MUEN 102 Ensemble II (2) |
| MUEN 201 Ensemble III (2) |
| MUEN 202 Ensemble IV (2) |
| MUEN 301 Ensemble V (2) |
| MUEN 302 Ensemble VI (2) |
| MIND 401 Music Business (3) |
| MTEC 101 Techniques of Recording I (2) |
| MTEC 201 Techniques of Recording II (2) |
| MUCD 251 Conducting (3) |
| MUCH 411 Music Ministry and the Worship Arts (3) |
| MUET 101 Ear Training I (2) |
| MUET 201 Ear Training II (2) |
| MUHL 101 History of Western Music (3) |
| MUHL 201 History of Contemporary Music (3) |
| MUPF 110 Reading and Groove (2) |
| MUPF 111 Keyboard Lab (2) |
| MUPF 210 Vocal and Choir (2) |
| MUPF 310 Group Performance Workshop (2) |
| MUPF 311 Improvisation Concepts (2) |
| MUS 110 Individual Instruction I (2) |
| MUS 120 Individual Instruction II (2) |
| MUS 210 Individual Instruction III (2) |
| MUS 220 Individual Instruction IV (2) |
| MUS 310 Individual Instruction V (2) |
| MUS 320 Individual Instruction VI (2) |
| MUS 410 Individual Instruction VII (2) |
| MUS 420 Senior Project (3) |
| MUS 450 Graduation Recital and Portfolio (3) |
General Education requirements: 30 credits
| Course Code & Course Title | Units |
| HU 100 Worship Leading | 3 credits |
| FA 110 Musicianship | 3 credits |
| FA 210 Music Appreciation | 3 credits |
| FA 310 Lyric Writing | 3 credits |
| SS 100 Entrepreneurship | 3 credits |
| SS 200 The Package Deal: Contracts, Budgets and Making Money | 3 credits |
| BS 100 Ethics | 3 credits |
| NS 100 Psychology | 3 credits |
| NS 110 Medical Terminology | 3 credits |
| MA 100 Math and Computer | 3 credits |
Course Descriptions
BAM Degree Music Requirements: 90 credits
MUCO 101 Music Theory
Foundation in diatonic harmony and music theory. Studies include primary and secondary triads and seventh chords and their inversions, non-harmonic tones, and melodic analysis. Skills are applied to basic composition.
MUCO 201 Tonal Harmony
Proper integration of lyrics and melody. Expansion of tonal materials used in songwriting including modulation and modality. Further study of form including the transitional bridge and the primary bridge. Student projects include setting lyrics in various styles and forms.
MUCO 210 Arranging I
Students are introduced to the techniques of constructing captivating arrangements in a number of different styles for various ensembles.
MUCO 220 Jazz Harmony I
Principles of diatonic chord progressions and available tensions. Exploration of major and minor key harmony: secondary and extended dominant relationships, introduction to subdominant minor. Study of melodic construction and motif development. Principles of linear harmonic continuity and guide tone lines.
MUCO 310 Arranging II
Students delve deeper into the technique of constructing arrangements in primarily the jazz idiom for small and big-band ensembles.
MUCO 320 Jazz Harmony II
Advanced study of the principles of diatonic chord progressions and available tensions.
Exploration of major and minor key harmony: secondary and extended dominant relationships, introduction to subdominant minor. Study of melodic construction and motif development.
Principles of linear harmonic continuity and guide tone lines.
MUCO 401 Songwriting
This course introduces students to the craft of songwriting, its creative process and concepts. An examination of melodic forms, chord progressions, rhythm, meter, harmony, style, lyrics and production of hit songs prepares student songwriters to compose and build songs, section by section, both alone and in collaboration with other students. Music and lyrics come together as the students compose and write their own complete songs for the final project.
MUCO 411 Songwriting for Commercial Music
This course covers the current use of songs in commercial music. Students explore the elements of a visual-media-friendly song, including appropriate harmonic colors, rhythmic elements, and intros, vamps, and endings. Whether the material is background source music or a featured song, the course teaches the students how to successfully write on demand and how to write for music libraries.
MUCO 421 Orchestration
An introduction to instruments of the orchestra, computer notation and scoring for small ensembles.
MUEN 101/102/201/202/301/302 Ensemble I-VI
Ensemble guided by faculty – students are placed according to performance ability and interest. Classes prepare the various ensembles for performance recitals throughout the term.
MIND 401 Music Business
This course examines the organizational features and personnel roles of production music publishers, ad agencies, and music houses; as well as covering the fees, royalties, residuals, and other revenue opportunities in this potentially lucrative industry. Overview of successful business and ad agency jingles. How to create stock music track packages, partnering with music libraries, and composing a theme and scoring for a television series.
MTEC 101/201 Techniques of Recording I-II
An in depth exploration of analog recording techniques in the studio including microphone selection and placement, signal path, processing and acoustic properties. Applied to editing, digital audio recording and editing, mixing and the use of plug-in processing effects.
MUCD 251 Conducting
Integrated approaches for choir and conducting. This class covers conducting techniques, patterns, score analysis, problems of tempo, dynamics, articulation, and text.
Students will be able to experience harmonious performance with others who have different personalities based on individual skills, thereby improving the ability to integrate different musical interests and develop more mature performances.
MUCH 411 Music Ministry and the Worship Arts
The course examines the history of worship and styles of worship leading, and how they have changed. Exploration of practical guidelines for effective biblical worship design and church music leadership. Students are encouraged to develop a deeper philosophy of worship.
MUET 101 Ear Training I
Work with the Movable Do System using Dorian and Mixolydian modes as key centers. Minor 7 (9) and dominant 7 (13, 9) voicings used as key center reference chords. Use of single notes, melodic fragments, diatonic triads and diatonic intervals over Dorian and Mixolydian key centers.
Use 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 beat conducting patterns in solfeggio work. Learning to hear and sing all seventh chord qualities. Applying Movable Do solfeggio to note group’s patterns and permutations for improvisation.
MUET 201 Ear Training II
Movable Do System and solfeggio syllables using the Phrygian and Lydian key centers. Sus7 (b9) and MA7 (13, 9) voicings used as key center reference chords. Advanced rhythmic workouts. Use of single notes, melodic fragments, diatonic triads and diatonic intervals over Phrygian and
Lydian key centers. Solfeggio work using 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 beat conducting patterns. Melodic dictation using Phrygian and Lydian examples. Learning to hear and sing all 7th chord qualities in different inversion. Use of note groups and patterns in melodic work.
MUHL 101 History of Western Music
A survey of composers and works that influenced the course of Western music. Basic stylistic concepts from a range of historical periods beginning with medieval music through the 20th century.
MUHL 201 History of Contemporary Music
Survey of contemporary popular music from early rock and roll to current styles. Includes jazz, pop, folk, rock, dance/techno and hip-hop.
MUPF 110 Reading and Groove
Practical training in sight-reading abilities, chart reading and comping skills, maintain solid grooves and comping patterns in different contemporary styles. Practicing ―becoming one with different rhythmic patterns. This course increases sight-reading abilities through exposure to traditionally notated materials lead sheets and ensemble charts, and concepts such as phrasing, time, rhythm playing, “playing in the pocket,” harmonics possibilities, and understanding the many roles their instrument can play in different settings Recorded material for play-along purposes.
MUPF 111 Keyboard Lab
Practical training in sight-reading abilities, chart reading and comping skills, maintain solid grooves and comping patterns in different contemporary styles. Practicing ―becoming one with different rhythmic patterns. This course increases sight-reading abilities through exposure to traditionally notated materials lead sheets and ensemble charts, and concepts such as phrasing, time, rhythm playing, “playing in the pocket,” harmonics possibilities, and understanding the many roles their instrument can play in different settings Recorded material for play-along purposes.
MUPF 210 Vocal and Choir
Learn the basics of vocal technique and singer’s vocal anatomy. Basic vocal warm ups and their daily practice. This course explores breath control and maintaining a healthy voice and singing with more freedom. Mixed chorus performing choral literature of all periods with an emphasis on contemporary gospel music.
MUPF 310 Group Performance Workshop
Group performance class ensembles guided by faculty – students are placed according to performance ability and interest. Classes prepare the various ensembles for performance recitals throughout the term.
MUPF 311 Improvisation Concepts
An overview of contemporary improvisation techniques. Key center and chord-scale improvisation. Application of chord scale to chord function relationships. Introduction to note pattern and permutation melodic work. Blues scale and blues form. Idiomatic phrase workouts.
Blues and jazz phrases applied to 12 bar blues and II-V-I. Level I song repertoire. Use of back up tracks to play improvisation drills as part of weekly homework. Weekly “in class” performance. Students will solo over selected songs using the harmonic and melodic skills learned in class. NOTE: This course uses keyboard-based material – however lessons and workouts apply to guitar, bass and woodwinds as well.
MUS 110/120/210/220/310/320/410 Individual Instruction I-VII
Private instruction: preparation of graduation portfolio requirement.
MUS 420 Senior Project
Preparation of graduation recital or portfolio requirement.
MUS 450 Graduation Recital and Portfolio
Students register for this course to have a recital or a portfolio for fulfillment the degree requirement.
General Education requirements (in each of the humanities/fine arts, behavioral/social sciences, and natural science/math): 30 credits
Humanities / Fine Arts
HU 100 Worship Leading
The course provides practical guidelines that are essential for effective church worship leadership. Worship leaders guide the flow of church services, exciting and calming congregations, and preparing them for the message of the service. In this course, students explore the foundational skills and practices of effective leadership.
Continuing guidance and practice in the study of worship leading. Students learn the foundational ideas in preparing sets, delivering sets, leading other musicians and honing their presentation skills. Students study successful worship leaders to discover of what makes an
effective leader, and to examine the leader‘s principle roles of musician, music minister, and more.
FA 110 Musicianship
An introduction to the Movable Do System, and basic solfeggio syllables in all major keys.
Students practice recognition and recall of single notes, melodic fragments, diatonic triads and diatonic intervals in all major keys. Work with basic rhythms and 4 beat conducting patterns, and melodic dictation in major key examples. Students learn to hear all triad qualities.
Work with the Movable Do System in minor keys, and solfeggio syllables in natural, melodic and harmonic minor modes. Students learn to recognize and recall single notes, melodic fragments, diatonic triads and diatonic intervals in minor modes and key centers. Work with rhythms and 2,
3 and 4 beat conducting patterns, and melodic dictation in minor key examples. Learning to hear all triad qualities in all inversions. Introduction of note groups and patterns in melodic work.
FA 210 Music Appreciation
This course is designed as an introduction to the tradition of Western, or European art music. The goal is to come to an understanding of the stylistic features that characterize different historical periods, starting with the Middle Ages, through the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical and
Romantic eras, finally arriving to the Twentieth and Twenty-first Century. Students will also be introduced to the artistic, political, social, religious and economic environments that birthed the different aesthetics of classical Western music. (Prerequisite: None) This course is designed for 3 units of theory. 45 hours.
FA 310 Lyric Writing
This course focuses on the basics of lyric writing. How to generate better ideas, find the right words to express those ideas, and organize rhythms and rhymes into compelling verses, choruses and bridges. Write vivid lyrics by mastering the elements of structure and the process of building great lyrical ideas into great songs.
Behavioral / Social Sciences
SS 100 Entrepreneurship
Introduces students to the current landscape of the world-wide industry. Core activity areas of the industry are examined; such as professional organizations, the individual’s – team (managers, lawyers, accountants, agents, PR, producers), legal issues (contracts, licenses, etc.), publishing and licensing. Exploration of the basic principles of entrepreneurship, and how they can serve professional goals.
SS 200 The Package Deal: Contracts, Budgets and Making Money
This course covers package-deal contracts, license agreements, royalties, organizing writing-recording-delivery schedules. Budgeting and negotiating.
BS 100 Ethics
The course is designed for students to understand ethical principles of conduct and the basic concepts underlying these principles—such as good, evil, right, wrong, justice, value, duty, and obligation—based on the Christian worldview. Students will study and discuss the ethical works of philosophers, analyzed in terms of these concepts. (Prerequisite: None) This course is designed for 3 units of theory. 45 hours.
Natural Science / Math
NS 100 Psychology
This course will provide an introduction to the field of psychology. The focus will be on the overview of basic concepts within the field of psychology with application. The lecture and class discussion will include integration of psychology with Biblical understanding. (Prerequisite: None) This course is designed for 3 units of theory. 45 hours.
NS 110 Medical Terminology
This course will teach the basics of medical terminology and begin speaking and writing terms almost immediately. The class will focus on helping students actively build a working vocabulary of the most frequently encountered suffixes, prefixes, and word roots. Terms are introduced in the context of human anatomy and physiology to help students understand exactly what they mean, and case studies and vignettes throughout the book demonstrate how they’re used in practice. (Prerequisite: None) This course is designed for 3 units of theory. 45 hours.
MA 100 Math and Computer
Topics include, but are not limited to, sets and counting, probability, statistics, finance, matrices, linear programming, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations, and the analysis of functions from their graphs. Students apply computer techniques learned in class to project supervised by the instructor.