Songwriting Diploma

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

Semester 1

Course #TitleCredits
PIXX-111Private Instruction 12
ENXX-xxxEnsemble1
PW-111Music Application and Theory4
ET-111Ear Training 12
MTEC-1xxIntroduction to Music Technology - choose 1
MTEC-111 Introduction to Music Technology
MTEC-122 Accelerated Introduction to Music Technology
2
LENS-10xEngaging Seminar2
Total Credits13

Semester 2

Course #TitleCredits
PIXX-112Private Instruction 22
ENXX-xxxEnsemble1
AR-1xxArranging 1 - choose 1
AR-111 Arranging 1 Entering
AR-123 Arranging 1 Continuing
2
ET-1xxEar Training 2 - choose 1
ET-112 Ear Training 2
ET-123 Ear Training 2 Entering
2
HR-11xHarmony 2 - choose 1
HR-112 Harmony 2
HR-114 Harmony 2 Entering
2
SW-115 or SW-116Essential Keyboard for Songwriters or Essential Guitar for Songwriters1
CM-211Tonal Harmony and Composition 12
Total Credits12

Semester 3 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course #TitleCredits
PIXX-211Private Instruction 31
ENXX-xxxEnsemble1
ILXX-xxxInstrumental Lab1
ET-2xxEar Training 3 or Solfege 1 - choose 1
ET-211 Ear Training 3
ET-223 Ear Training 3 Entering
ET-231 Solfege 1
2
HR-2xxHarmony 3 - choose 1
HR-211 Harmony 3
HR-213 Harmony 3 Entering
HR-215 Harmony 3 Intensive
2
SW-1xxIntroductory 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
SW-110Songwriting Foundations2
CM-212Tonal Harmony and Composition 22
Total Credits13

Semester 4 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course #TitleCredits
PIXX-212Private Instruction 41
ENXX-xxxEnsemble1
ILXX-xxxInstrumental Lab1
XXXX-xxxEar Training 4 or Solfege 2 - choose 1
ET-212 Ear Training 4
ET-224 Ear Training 4 Entering
ET-232 Solfege 2
2
XXXX-xxxHarmony 4 - choose 1
HR-212 Harmony 4
HR-214 Harmony 4 Entering
HR-216 Harmony 4 Intensive
2
SW-211Songwriting 12
SW-221Lyric Writing 12
SW-2xxAdvanced 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 Credits13

Semester 5 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course #TitleCredits
SW-212Songwriting 22
SW-222Lyric Writing 22
SW-335The Business of Songwriting2
COND-21xConducting 1 - choose 1
COND-211 Conducting 1
COND-216 Conducting 1 with Live Keyboard Ensemble
1
CP-210The Art of Counterpoint3
XXXX-xxxGeneral Electives2
Total Credits12

Semester 6 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course #TitleCredits
SW-231Arranging for Songwriters2
XXXX-xxxConducting 2 - choose 1
COND-212 Conducting 2
COND-217 Conducting 2 with Live Keyboard Ensemble
1
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-400Professional Development Seminar2
XXXX-xxxGeneral Electives5
Total Credits12

Semester 7

Course #TitleCredits
SW-xxx

Designated Track Courses - take the courses that align 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
XXXX-xxxMajor 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-230, MTEC-323, MTI–309, MTI–310, PST–351, PST–352, PST–451, PST–471, or PW–468.
2
XXXX-xxxGeneral Electives5
Total Credits11

Semester 8

Course #TitleCredits
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
XXXX-xxxMajor 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-230, MTEC-323, MTI–309, MTI–310, PST–351, PST–352, PST–451, PST–471, or PW–468.
2
XXXX-xxxGeneral Electives6
Total Credits10

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.