Skip to main content

School of Music Academic Progress Policy

The Music Faculty has adopted this statement on academic progress in music courses so that students complete a degree program in a reasonable period of time.

If you are a full-time undergraduate music student, you are expected to complete in a timely fashion the “core” music classes, as noted for each major below.


BM in Music Education, BM in Performance, and BA Degree Programs

Year 1

  • Approved 100-level musicology course (MUSC 111, MUSC 113, MUSC 114, MUSC 115, MUSC 116, MUSC 118, or MUSC 151)
  • M161 (Aural Theory I)
  • M162 (Written Theory I)
  • M163 (Aural Theory II)
  • M164 (Written Theory II)
  • M189 (Music Convocation) – 1 semester
  • M191 or equivalent (First Year Seminar)

Year 2

  • M189 (Music Convocation) – 2 semesters
  • M200 (Fundamentals of Conducting)
  • M261 (Aural Theory III)
  • M262 (Written Theory III)
  • M263 (Aural Theory IV)
  • M270 (History of Western Musical Traditions I)
  • Piano Level 2 (as a secondary instrument)
    AND M264 (Written Theory IV)
    OR M271WR (History of Western Musical Traditions II)
    Note: English 102 must precede M271WR

BS in Music and Health

Year 1

  • MUSC 191 or equivalent (First Year Seminar)
  • MUSC 189 (Music Convocation) – 1 semester
  • MUSC 1xx (approved 100-level musicology course; prerequisite to MUSC 270)

Year 2

  • MUSC 162 (Written Theory I)
  • MUSC 164 (Written Theory II)

Music Business and Industry (applied AOE)

Year 1

  • MUSC 191 or equivalent (First Year Seminar)
  • MUSC 189 (Music Convocation) – 1 semester
  • MUSC 1xx (approved 100-level musicology course; prerequisite to MUSC 270)
  • MUSC 161 (Aural Theory I)
  • MUSC 162 (Written Theory I)
  • MUSC 163 (Aural Theory II)
  • MUSC 164 (Written Theory II)

Year 2

  • MUSC 189 (Music Convocation) – 1 semester
  • MUSC 261 (Aural Theory III)

Music Business and Industry (Multi-instrumental)

Year 1

  • MUSC 191 or equivalent (First Year Seminar)
  • MUSC 189 (Music Convocation) – 1 semester
  • MUSC 1xx (approved 100-level musicology course; prerequisite to MUSC 270)

Year 2

  • MUSC 189 (Music Convocation) – 1 semester
  • MUSC 161 (Aural Theory I)
  • MUSC 162 (Written Theory I)
  • MUSC 163 (Aural Theory II)
  • MUSC 164 (Written Theory II)

BM in Music Therapy

Year 1

  • MUSC 191 or equivalent (First Year Seminar)
  • MUSC 189 (Music Convocation) – 1 semester
  • MUSC 161 (Aural Theory I)
  • MUSC 162 (Written Theory I)
  • MUSC 163 (Aural Theory II)
  • MUSC 164 (Written Theory II)

Year 2

  • MUSC 189 (Music Convocation) – 2 semesters
  • MUSC 261 (Aural Theory III)
  • MUSC 262 (Written Theory III)
  • MUSC 263 (Aural Theory IV)
  • MUSC 113 or 116 (prerequisite to MUSC 270)

Students who do not meet these expectations will receive a letter of warning at the end of the relevant semester. Students who fail or withdraw from any one of these courses must pass it the next time it is offered. Any student who does not complete these courses with passing grades within one year of schedule will be dismissed (suspended) from the music program, unless there are compelling extenuating circumstances.

Approved by the Music Faculty April 2, 1992
Reconfirmed by the Undergraduate Academic Standards Committee April 6, 2001
Revised – August 24, 2024

Stay Connected with the College of Creative Arts and Media
Update your contact information and sign up to receive news and event information from the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media.

Stay Connected