Student-centered programs are a hallmark of a School of Music education. And increasingly, multiple or double majors are ways that students combine and build upon their interests in music and anything else a large, research university has to offer.
Currently almost a third of our majors combine their music major with another major—and sometimes even two other majors. The combinations are as individual as the students themselves. We encourage this kind of expansive thinking, and our undergraduate adviser works closely with students to make their interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary training a reality.
Multiple Majors for a B.A. or B.S. Degree
Our unique position within the College of Letters & Science (L&S) makes it easier for a student to achieve a double major. Because of the many schools and departments within L&S, students have a wide array of choices and options within the degree programs. With multiple majors, a student can pursue individual interests and follow a course of study leading to many options for graduate work and career opportunities. To view a complete list of the departments, majors, and programs in L&S, click here.
A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts Degree with two majors can be a four-year program totaling 120 degree credits. Courses in each major would usually consist of 40 credits, while breadth requirements and electives outside the majors comprise the remaining credits.
In music, the BA/BS and the Bachelor of Music differ in the number of total credits required. The BM, a professional degree in music, consists of 130 credits of which 90 are music courses. The BA/BS liberal arts degree with a major in music consists of 120 credits of which 40 or more credits are music. It does not include some of the more advanced music courses or the music elective credits available in the BM curriculum. However, many of our BS/BA music majors have continued in graduate music studies after completing their undergraduate degree.
With the appropriate second major, a student may do the requirements necessary for Pre-Med and Pre-Law. Any student wishing to take a double major should seek advice from each department as early as possible.
Double Majors with a Professional Degree
If a student wishes to attain a degree in Engineering, Business, Nursing or Agriculture with a music major, it is necessary first to be accepted by the School of Music, then to obtain permission from the appropriate College to complete a second major in the College of Letters & Science. Students will work toward the degree in their professional area while fulfilling the 40-credit requirement for a Letters & Science Music major (BA/BS). Courses in the second major will be reflected on the transcript not the diploma.
To shorten the time working toward a degree, students have several options:
a) with sufficient high school work in math or foreign language, one can gain retroactive credits that will count toward one’s degree.
b) upon evaluation, UW-Madison will accept up to 90 transfer credits counting toward the degree.
c) students may take course work during the summers at the UW-Madison campus.
Consult the College of Letters & Science for specific information about degree programs. You may also contact the School of Music for information on combining a music major with a second major in the College of Letters in Science. For questions on combining L&S majors outside of music, contact L&S at 608.262.2644.
