Bachelor of Arts - Music

The School of Performing Arts at South Dakota State University fosters and provides opportunities for creativity, performance, and both artistic and intellectual understanding through the study and practice of performing arts within contemporary and historical cultures.  Mindful of the University’s Land Grant mission, we strive to provide outreach-engagement that creates meaningful connections among students, the University, and the broader community.

Program Objectives:

• To serve the university, state, and region by delivering approved and well-defined undergraduate curricula in music, theater, and dance;
• To engage in critical and analytical thought in order to create an informed understanding and enduring curiosity;
• To promote individual growth that nurtures the development of the whole person;
• To practice artistry in order to enable appreciation and expression through creativity and innovation;
• To cultivate global awareness and respect for differing perspectives; and
• To provide enrichment by connecting people through engagement, service, and collaboration within and beyond the University.

The Bachelor of Arts - Music has different specializations to choose from:

Music Studies

As a music major, you will learn by performing, creating, analyzing and listening to music. You will refine your talent as a musician through intensive training and build a strong foundation in the humanities and social sciences, with courses in theory, history and performance. The music studies specialization takes advantage of the types of courses central to a liberal arts education. Although the degree is not tied to any specific career aspiration, students often use the degree as preparation for careers in musicology, music librarianship, music leadership and private studio teaching. The flexibility of the curriculum is also used by students desiring a performance-based course of study and to prepare for graduate school.

Music Entrepreneurship

As a music major, you will learn by performing, creating, analyzing and listening to music. You will refine your talent as a musician through intensive training and build a strong foundation in the humanities and social sciences, with courses in theory, history and performance. The music entrepreneurship specialization is designed for students who enjoy music but want a career option outside of performing or teaching music. The program prepares students for careers in music manufacturing, retail sales, music production, publishing, arts management, industry and a variety of other fields. An on-the-job internship experience is included as part of the professional requirement for the degree.