Songwriting Bachelor's Degree

This page represents a sample curriculum only and does not reflect the most recent degree requirements. For current degree requirements, please search the major grids.

Semester 1

Course #	Title	Credits
PIXX-111	Private Instruction 1	2
ENXX-xxx	Ensemble	1
PW-111	Music Application and Theory	4
ET-111	Ear Training 1	2
MTEC-1xx	Introduction to Music Technology - choose 1 MTEC-111 Introduction to Music Technology MTEC-122 Accelerated Introduction to Music Technology	2
LENS-10x	Engaging Seminar	2
LENG-111	Introduction to College Writing	3
Total Credits		16

Semester 2

Course #	Title	Credits
PIXX-112	Private Instruction 2	2
ENXX-xxx	Ensemble	1
AR-1xx	Arranging 1 - choose 1 AR-111 Arranging 1 Entering AR-123 Arranging 1 Continuing	2
ET-1xx	Ear Training 2 - choose 1 ET-112 Ear Training 2 ET-123 Ear Training 2 Entering	2
HR-11x	Harmony 2 - choose 1 HR-112 Harmony 2 HR-114 Harmony 2 Entering	2
AFST-221	Global Afrodiasporic Musics	3
SW-115 or SW-116	Essential Keyboard for Songwriting or Essential Guitar for Songwriters	1
XXXX-xxx	General Electives	2
Total Credits		15

Semester 3 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course #	Title	Credits
PIXX-211	Private Instruction 3	1
ENXX-xxx	Ensemble	1
ILXX-xxx	Instrumental Lab	1
ET-2xx	Ear Training 3 or Solfege 1 - choose 1 ET-211 Ear Training 3 ET-223 Ear Training 3 Entering ET-231 Solfege 1	2
HR-21x	Harmony 3 - choose 1 HR-211 Harmony 3 HR-213 Harmony 3 Entering HR-215 Harmony 3 Intensive	2
SW-110	Songwriting Foundations	2
CM-211	Tonal Harmony and Composition 1	2
LENG-223	Literature Topics	3
SW-1xx	Introductory DAW Class - choose 1 SW-161 DAW for Songwriters: Pro Tools SW-181 DAW for Songwriters: Ableton Live SW-191 DAW for Songwriters: Logic Pro X	2
Total Credits		16

Semester 4 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course #	Title	Credits
PIXX-212	Private Instruction 4	1
ENXX-xxx	Ensemble	1
ILXX-xxx	Instrumental Lab	1
ET-2xx	Ear Training 4 or Solfege 2 - choose 1 ET-212 Ear Training 4 ET-224 Ear Training 4 Entering ET-232 Solfege 2	2
HR-21x	Harmony 4 - choose 1 HR-212 Harmony 4 HR-214 Harmony 4 Entering HR-216 Harmony 4 Intensive	2
CM-212	Tonal Harmony and Composition 2	2
COND-21x	Conducting 1 - choose 1 COND-211 Conducting 1 COND-216 Conducting 1 with Live Keyboard Ensemble	1
SW-211	Songwriting 1	2
SW-221	Lyric Writing 1	2
SW-2xx	Advanced DAW Class - choose 1 SW-261 Advanced DAW for Songwriters: Pro Tools SW-281 Advanced DAW for Songwriters: Ableton Live SW-291 Advanced DAW for Songwriters: Logic Pro X	2
Total Credits		16

Semester 5 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course #	Title	Credits
CP-210	The Art of Counterpoint	3
COND-21x	Conducting 2 - choose 1 COND-212 Conducting 2 COND-217 Conducting 2 with Live Keyboard Ensemble	1
SW-212	Songwriting 2	2
SW-222	Lyric Writing 2	2
SW-335	The Business of Songwriting	2
LMSC-xxx	Mathematics/Natural Sciences (any 3-credit, 200 level or above LMSC course)	3
MHIS-22X	History of Music in the European Tradition - choose 1 MHIS-201 History of Music in the European Tradition: Topics MHIS-202 History of Music in the European Tradition: Iconic Works MHIS-203 History of Music in the European Tradition: Chronology	2
Total Credits		15

Semester 6 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course #	Title	Credits
SW-231	Arranging for Songwriters	2
SW-xxx	Designated Track Course - take the course that aligns with your selected track: Performer Track: SW-236 Guitar Techniques for the Songwriter or SW-238 Keyboard Techniques for the Songwriter Producer Track: SW-383 Advanced Skills for the Producer-Songwriter Topline Track: SW-321 Advanced Lyric Writing 1 or SW-372 Topline 2 for Songwriters and Producers Sync Track: SW-363 Songwriting for Film and TV Musical Theater Track: SW-345 Musical Theater Writing 1	2
LHUM-400	Professional Development Seminar	2
LHIS-xxx or AHIS-xxx	History	3
MHIS-3xx	Music History Elective (level 300 or higher)	2
LSOC-xxx or ASOC-xxx	Social Science	3
Total Credits		14

Semester 7

Course #	Title	Credits
SW-xxx	Designated Track Courses - take the courses that aligns with your selected track: Performer Track: SW-370 Strategies for the Songwriter/Performer or SW-371 Singer/Songwriter Workshop SW-390 Senior Seminar in Songwriting: Songwriter-Performer Producer Track: SW-374 Vocal Production for Songwriters or SW-425 Multi-DAW Workflows for the Songwriter/Producer SW-391 Senior Seminar in Songwriting: Songwriter-Producer Topline Track: SW-311 Advanced Songwriting, SW-421 Advanced Lyric Writing 2, or SW-472 Topline 3 for Songwriters and Producers SW-393 Senior Seminar in Songwriting: Songwriter-Topliner Sync Track: SW-241 Survey and Application of Popular Song Styles, SW-273 Music Supervision: Selecting and Licensing Music for Media, or SW-461 Writing the Film Musical (choose 2) SW-394 Senior Seminar in Songwriting: Songwriter-Sync Musical Theater Track: SW-445 Musical Theater Writing 2 SW-399 Senior Seminar in Songwriting: Musical Theater	4
LMAS-xxx or AMAS-xxx	Music and Society	3
LXXX-xxx or AXXX-xxx	Liberal Arts and Sciences/Africana Studies Elective Any three credit courses from the following categories: AFST, AHIS, AHUM, ASOC, AMAS, LENG, LMSC, LHIS, LSOC, LVIS, LMAS, LFRN, LJPN, LHUM, LPHL, or LSPN.	3
XXXX-xxx	Major Electives (select from list below) SW-2xx (or higher) not already completed, AR–201, CW–141, CW–171, CW–216, CW–218, ENDS–406, ENPP–205, ENPP–401, ENVC–261, HR–325, ILGT–115, ILVC–210, IN-495, ISVC–111, ISVC–112, LENG–318, LENG–331, MB-211, MP-113, MP–114, MP-205, MP-231, MP-305, MTEC-323, MTI–309, MTI–310, PST–351, PST–352, PST–451, PST–471, or PW–468.	2
XXXX-xxx	General Electives	2
Total Credits		14

Semester 8

Course #	Title	Credits
LXXX-xxx or AXXX-xxx	Liberal Arts and Sciences/Africana Studies Elective Any three credit courses from the following categories: AFST, AHIS, AHUM, ASOC, AMAS, LENG, LMSC, LHIS, LSOC, LVIS, LMAS, LFRN, LJPN, LHUM, LPHL, or LSPN.	3
XXXX-xxx	Major Electives (select from list below) SW-2xx (or higher) not already completed, AR–201, CW–141, CW–171, CW–216, CW–218, ENDS–406, ENPP–205, ENPP–401, ENVC–261, HR–325, ILGT–115, ILVC–210, IN-495, ISVC–111, ISVC–112, LENG–318, LENG–331, MB-211, MP-113, MP–114, MP-205, MP-231, MP-305, MTEC-323, MTI–309, MTI–310, PST–351, PST–352, PST–451, PST–471, or PW–468.	2
SW-xxx	Designated Track Courses - take the course that aligns with your selected track: Performer Track: SW-490 Directed Study in Songwriting: Songwriter-Performer Producer Track: SW-491 Directed Study in Songwriting: Songwriter-Producer Topline Track: SW-493 Directed Study in Songwriting: Songwriter-Topliner Sync Track: SW-494 Directed Study in Songwriting: Songwriter-Sync Musical Theater Track: SW-499 Directed Study in Songwriting: Musical Theater	2
LVIS-xxx	Visual Studies	3
XXXX-xxx	General Electives	4
Total Credits		11

Study abroad at our Valencia, Spain, campus. It is recommended that songwriting majors study in Valencia during their third, fourth, fifth, or sixth semester. For specific program information, please see the chair of your major or contact the study abroad office.