DEGREE PROGRAMS
Develop Your Talents.
Elevate Your Craft.
MACMP
California Arts University offers the Master of Arts in Contemporary Music Performance (MACMP), designed for musicians seeking advanced artistic, technical, and professional development. The program engages contemporary styles, practices, and performance approaches while preparing students to develop their individual artistic voices.
DMA
California Arts University offers the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), a terminal degree designed for accomplished musicians seeking advanced artistic, scholarly, and professional development. The program deepens expertise in a primary area of musical practice while providing advanced study in choral music, chamber music, conducting, and sound recording.
BAM Program
Program Director: Dr. Mikyung Lim — D.M.A. in Piano Performance, University of North Texas
A comprehensive undergraduate music program emphasizing performance, composition, music theory, and music education. Students develop their musicianship through individualized instruction, collaborative learning, and performance opportunities guided by experienced faculty.
BAM
Program
Learning
Outcome
BAM Program
Learning Outcome
Graduates of the BAM program will: ➢ Demonstrate knowledge of music history, composers, and stylistic connections from ancient to contemporary music. ➢ Achieve proficiency in performance on their primary instrument. ➢ Exhibit professional expertise in their chosen field of study. ➢ Understand musical structures and demonstrate competency in music theory and basic composition. ➢ Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills relevant to the study of music.
BAM Program Requirements
To earn the Bachelor of Arts in Music (BAM), students must:
Complete 120 credits (typically over 5 years), including:
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30 credits in General Education (humanities/fine arts, behavioral/social sciences, and
natural sciences/math).
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90 credits in Music coursework.
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Fulfill a minimum residency requirement of four consecutive long semesters (fall or
spring) at CAU, with at least 12 semester hours per term.
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Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
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Complete a graduation portfolio, including a recital performance and/or work from other projects.
BAM | Course of Study
Music Course Code & Course Title (Credits): Total 90 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 Course Code & Course Title (Credits): Total 30 credits
FA 110 Introduction to History of Western Arts (3) HU 100 English Literature (3) HU 200 Introduction to Philosophy (3) HU 101 Research and Writing (3) SS 100 Entrepreneurship (3) SS 200 The Package Deal: Contracts, Budgets and Making Money (3) BS 100 Ethics (3) NS 100 Psychology (3) NS 110 Medical Terminology (3) MA 100 Math and Computer (3)
MACMP Program
BAM
Program
Learning
Outcome
Program Director: Dr. Yumi Kim — D.C.M. in Church Music; M.M., University of Southern California; B.M., Berklee College of Music
A Program designed for advanced musicians seeking to refine their craft, develop performance skills, and expand their professional network. Specialization may include performance, composition, and computer music.
MACMP Program
Learning Outcome
Graduates of the MACMP program will: ➢ Demonstrate advanced harmonic and stylistic practices in performance. ➢ Exhibit the technical and artistic skills required for contemporary music settings. ➢ Perform music across various contemporary styles. ➢ Apply technology for recording and music distribution. ➢ Develop a strong artistic identity and personal vision in their performance work.
MACMP Program Requirements
To earn the Master of Arts in Contemporary Music Performance (MACMP), students must:
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Complete 45 credits (typically over 2.5 years).
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Earn at least 36 credits (80% of coursework) at CAU.
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Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
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Complete a graduation recital.
MACMP | Course of Study
Music Course Code & Course Title (Credits): Total 45 Credits
MUEN 411 Ensemble Performance (3) MUEN 421 Ensemble I (3) MUEN 422 Ensemble II (3) MUET 401 Sight Singing & Ear Training (3) MUCO 431 Advanced Jazz Harmony I (3) MUCO 432 Advanced Jazz Harmony II (3) MUCO 511 Advanced Songwriting (3) MTEC 451 Studio Recording (3) MTEC 452 Music Production (3) MUCD 451 Advanced Conducting (3) MUS 501 Individual Instruction I (3) MUS 502 Individual Instruction II (3) MUS 601 Individual Instruction III (3) MUS 602 Individual Instruction IV (3) MUS 650 Graduation Recital Project (3)
DMA Program
BAM
Program
Learning
Outcome
DMA Program Director: Dr. Hyunjung Hwang — Ph.D. and M.A. in Music Composition and Theory, University of California, Los Angeles; M.M. and B.A. in Music Composition, Seoul National University
A terminal degree for musicians pursuing leadership roles in academia, performance, or research. This program fosters artistic excellence, scholarly inquiry, and professional development.
DMA Program
Learning Outcome
Graduates of the DMA program will: ➢ Develop expertise in music theory, history, and stylistic analysis. ➢ Exhibit professional-level performance skills across various settings. ➢ Perform music in a diverse range of styles. ➢ Utilize technology for music recording and distribution. ➢ Integrate faith and artistic expression in their performances.
DMA Program Requirements
To earn the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), students must:
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Complete 60 credits (typically over 3.5 years).
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Fulfill a minimum residency requirement of two consecutive long semesters (fall or spring) at CAU, with at least 8-9 graduate hours per term.
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Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
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Successfully complete:
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Doctoral essay
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Oral qualifying exam
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Lecture recital
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Solo recital (or project, if required)
DMA | Course of Study
Music Course Code & Course Title (Credits): Total 60 Credits
MUCO 551 Advanced sight singing and ear training (2) MUCO 552 Analytical approaches to tonal music (2) MUCO 553 Songwriting and arranging I (2) MUCO 554 Songwriting and arranging II (2) MUCO 555 Modern improvisation techniques 2(2) MUCD 551 Chamber choir and conducting I (3) MUCD 552 Chamber choir and conducting II (3) MUHL 551 Music history I (2) MUHL 552 Music history II (2) MUHL 553 Research and writing seminar (3) MUHL 554 Music appreciation and criticism (2) MUPF 551 The trend of contemporary music (3) MUPF 552 Science of rhythm (2) MTEC 551 Music technology and production I (2) MTEC 552 Music technology and production II (2) MTEC 553 Computer assisted recording and editing (3) MUEN 551 Ensemble I (2) MUEN 552 Ensemble II (2) MUS 651 Individual instruction I (2) MUS 652 Individual instruction II (2) MUS 653 Individual instruction III (2) MUS 654 Individual instruction IV (2) MUS 655 Individual instruction V (2) MUS 720 Advanced major seminar (3) MUS 750 DMA lecture recital (3) MUS 751 DMA solo recital (3)