Plan Your Education
How to Apply
Apply for Admission
Please review the first-year and transfer apply pages for important information about application requirements, deadlines, and application status check.
Financing Your Education
Become a Beacon and pursue your passion in UMass Boston’s diverse, supportive environment. Many students across our 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs receive financial aid—providing access to an education that’s exceptional and affordable. Click below to learn more about financial aid opportunities and deadlines.
Financial Aid Deadlines & Application Process
Scholarships for First-Year & Transfer Students
Deadlines & Cost
Early action deadline: November 1; Regular Decision Deadline: June 15
Financing Your Education
Become a Beacon and pursue your passion in UMass Boston’s diverse, supportive environment. Many students across our 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs receive financial aid—providing access to an education that’s exceptional and affordable. Click below to learn more about financial aid opportunities and deadlines.
Financial Aid Deadlines & Application Process
Scholarships for First-Year & Transfer Students
For additional information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s Office or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu.
Curriculum
Course Requirements
Theory Courses (12 Credits)
- MUSIC 121 - Theory I 3 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 122 - Theory II 3 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 221 - Theory III 3 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 222 - Theory IV 3 Credit(s)
Ear Training & Sight Singing Courses (8 Credits)
- MUSIC 123 - Ear Training and Sight Singing I 2 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 124 - Ear Training and Sight Singing II 2 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 223 - Ear Training and Sight Singing III 2 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 224 - Ear Training and Sight Singing IV 2 Credit(s)
Keyboard Skills Courses (4 Credits)
- MUSIC 131 - Elements: Keyboard I 2 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 132 - Elements: Keyboard II 2 Credit(s)
Music History Courses (9 Credits)
- MUSIC 302 - Medieval to Baroque 3 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 303 - Classical to Modern 3 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 315 - Seminar in World Music 3 Credit(s)
Ensemble Performance Courses (6 Credits): Take six semesters from the courses below.
- MUSIC 101 - University Chorus 1 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 102 - Chamber Singers 1 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 104 - Jazz Band1 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 106 - Chamber Orchestra 1 Credit(s)
- MUSIC 109 - Music Collaboratory1 Credit(s)
Solo Performance Courses (8 Credits)
- Take eight semesters of applied music lessons in a primary instrument or voice.
- MUSIC 185 - Applied Music 1 Credit(s)
Graduation Criteria
Program Declaration
At time of admission to the University or by completion of an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form.
Degree Requirements
If this is the student’s only or primary major, the degree requirements below must be completed for graduation. See graduation requirements for more information.
University Requirements
Complete a minimum of 120 credits from:
- General education requirements set by the college of your primary major. These include courses in critical analysis; verbal and quantitative reasoning; human diversity; and principle approaches to knowledge in mathematics, technology, natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, arts, humanities, world languages, and world cultures.
- Requirements for at least one declared major.
- Elective courses needed to meet 120 credits and/or requirements from optional additional programs of study.
Residency: At least 30 credits for the degree must be completed at UMass Boston.
GPA: A minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher from all UMass Boston courses.
Pass/fail: No more than eight courses taken pass/fail may be applied toward the degree. Only one course may be taken pass/fail each semester.
Major Requirements
Complete 47 credits from 27 courses including four theory courses, four ear training & sight singing courses, two keyboard skills courses, three music history courses, six ensemble performance courses, and eight solo performance courses.
In order to graduate, music majors must demonstrate proficiency at level four in their primary instrument.
Grade: No courses with a grade below C- may be applied toward the major.
GPA: A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for all major courses.
Pass/fail: No courses taken pass/fail may be applied toward the major.
Residency: At least 15 credits for the major must be completed at UMass Boston.
Contact
Performing Arts Department Location: University Hall, Room 2247, Second Floor
- Phone: 617.287.5640
Email: performing.arts@umb.edu - Carrie Ann Quinn, Chair, Performing Arts Department
carrieann.quinn@umb.edu
Administrative Contacts
- Tanya Williams, Administrative Assistant, Tanya.Williams@umb.edu
- Bill Doncaster, Outreach Coordinator. Bill.Doncaster@umb.edu
- Joshua Kohler, Production Manager, Joshua.Kohler@umb.edu
Program Coordinators
- Sommer Forrester, Music Program Coordinator, Sommer.Forrester@umb.edu
- Robert Lublin, Theatre Arts Program Coordinator, Robert.Lublin@umb.edu
- Danny Swain, Dance Program Coordinator, Daniel.Swain@umb.edu
Ensemble Directors
- The UMass Boston Orchestra
Sommer Forrester, Conductor, Sommer.Forrester@umb.edu - The UMass Boston Jazz Ensembles
Peter Janson, Director, Peter,Janson@umb.edu - The UMass Boston Chamber Singers and University Chorus
David Giessow, Choral Director, David.Giessow@umb.edu
Music Coordinators
- Peter Janson, Guitar Studies, Peter.Janson@umb.edu
- Sommer Forrester, Juries, Sommer.Forrester@umb.edu
- Sommer Forrester, Music Education, Sommer.Forrester@umb.edu
- Timothy McFarland, Piano Studies, Timothy.McFarland@umb.edu
- David Giessow, Vocal Studies, David.Giessow@umb.edu
Performing Arts Department
Learn more about UMass Boston's Performing Arts Department, past performances, and upcoming shows and opportunities in theater, dance, and music.
Explore Our Performing Arts Department
College of Liberal Arts
Learn more about the faculty, research, and programs that make up our College of Liberal Arts.
Explore College of Liberal Arts