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DEGREE PROGRAMS

Develop Your Talents.
Elevate Your Art.

BAM

California Arts University offers the Bachelor of Arts in Music (BAM), designed for students aspiring to become skilled musicians. This program provides a strong foundation in professional knowledge and technical expertise within their chosen field of music.

MACMP

California Arts University offers the Master of Arts program in Contemporary Music Performance (MACMP), which is distinctly contemporary in its content and approach and embraces the principal musical movements of our time.

DMA

California Arts University offers the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), the highest professional degree in the field of music. This program develops expertise in a primary area of musical practice while providing advanced training in choral music, chamber music, conducting, and sound recording.

BAM Program 

BAM 
Program 
Learning

Outcome

A comprehensive undergraduate program focusing on performance, composition, music theory, and education. Students receive hands-on training with expert faculty and real-world opportunities to showcase their talent.

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:

  •  30 credits in General Education (humanities/fine arts, behavioral/social sciences, and

natural sciences/math).

  • 90 credits in Music coursework.

  •  Fulfill a minimum residency requirement of four consecutive long semesters (fall or

spring) at CAU, with at least 12 semester hours per term.

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

  •  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

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:

​​

  • Complete 45 credits (typically over 2.5 years).

  • Earn at least 36 credits (80% of coursework) at CAU.

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

  •  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

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:

​​

  • Complete 60 credits (typically over 3.5 years).

  •  Fulfill a minimum residency requirement of two consecutive long semesters (fall or spring) at CAU, with at least 9 graduate hours per term.

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

  • Successfully complete:

  • Doctoral essay

  • Oral qualifying exam

  • Lecture recital

  • 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)

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