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Music
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Bachelor's in Music

About the Music Program

Slippery Rock University, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, boasts a faculty of distinguished performing artists and master teachers renowned in the region. Our music degree programs are carefully crafted to align with the diverse interests and career aspirations of today’s students. A supportive, family-like atmosphere combined with ample facilities for practice and performance create an exceptional environment for learning and growth.

What Can I Do With a Music Degree?

Slippery Rock University music majors have successfully transitioned into diverse, rewarding careers. Recent graduates in music education teach Pre-K through 12 in both public and private schools, while those in music therapy work in settings such as schools, nursing homes, psychiatric centers, correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers, shelters, and private practice. Students earning a Bachelor of Arts degree have found success in music merchandising, church music, marching arts, and the television and radio industries. Music performance alumni often pursue careers as performers and private instructors. Additionally, many SRU music students, regardless of their program, advance to graduate school for further study in music and related fields.

Choir singing

Why Choose a Music Degree?

  • World-class Faculty
    Students will be taught by faculty who are recognized throughout the state, region, and nation as top performers and teachers in their fields. No graduate assistants teach classes, lessons or ensembles in the Music Department.
  • Career and Graduate School Opportunities
    Most of our recent music education and music therapy graduates have proceeded directly into the profession. Our music majors have also been successful in gaining entrance into top graduate schools, winning military band auditions, starting music publishing companies, and being hired to teach at colleges and universities throughout the country.
  • Ensembles Performance Opportunities
    Our ensembles have toured and performed throughout the United States and internationally, including England, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Russia, Switzerland and Germany. Ensembles at SRU have performed world premieres of works by leading composers in multiple genres and have several full-length recordings to their credit. With no graduate students on campus, our undergraduate music majors can audition for and perform in any of our ensembles.
  • Applied Lessons
    All music majors, regardless of degree choice, receive a weekly, hour-long lesson on their major instrument by our expert faculty.
  • Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music
    SRU accreditation means that our music programs meet or exceed the industry standards developed by experts in the music field.
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Old Main Building
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While attending SRU, my music student teaching experience will always stand out as a pivotal point in my career.

Jade Ferneza ‘18, Behavior Support Teacher
Matanuska-Sustina Borough School District
Jade Ferneza

Music BA, BM and Concentrations

Sheet music

Music, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Study core aspects of music including performance, theory, history, and technology, while customizing your education to match your interests. The program blends liberal arts with music training, preparing you for careers in areas like performance, instruction, composition, production, and music business.

Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Teacher music therapy

Music Education (PreK-12), Bachelor of Music (BM)

Develop the skills to teach instrumental, vocal, and general music to students in grades K-12, while also growing as a musician. The program combines hands-on teaching experience with professional music training, preparing you for Pennsylvania teacher certification and careers in education, performance, and community music leadership.

Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Jazz performance

Music Performance, Bachelor of Music (BM)

Develop advanced solo and ensemble performance skills while receiving personalized instruction from expert faculty. The program also builds your knowledge of music technology, entrepreneurship, and pedagogy, preparing you for careers as a professional performer, private instructor, or for graduate study in music performance or higher education.

Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Person playing instrument

Music Therapy, Bachelor of Music (BM)

Learn how to use music as a therapeutic tool to support individuals with diverse physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Combining musicianship with clinical training, the program includes hands-on experience in a variety of real-world settings and prepares you for board certification. Graduates pursue careers in healthcare, education, private practice, and community-based music therapy.

Catalog | Curriculum Guide
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Music - Certificate

For a listing of this program’s undergraduate certificates and related offerings, visit SRU’s official program catalog page.

Catalog | Program List


Career Outcomes

Graduates have secured careers in the following areas:

  • Military Band Musician, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force
  • Education Market Manager, PreSonus Audio Electronics
  • Professional Musician, Atlanta, Georgia
  • College Professor, Texas Woman’s University, Emory University, Sacred Heart University, Baldwin Wallace University and others
  • Broadway Touring Company Musician
  • Professional Music Educators in Pennsylvania and beyond
  • Practicing Music Therapists throughout the country

Internship Opportunities

Music Therapy students have completed internships at various locations including:

  • Special Needs Art Internship, Neshannock High School, New Castle, Pennsylvania
  • Artists Image Resource
  • Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Tucor, Inc., Harmony, Pennsylvania
  • SRU’s University Communication and Public Affairs

Music Education students have the following opportunities:

  • American Choral Directors Association Student Chapter
  • Music Therapy Club
  • Mu Phi Epsilon: International Professional Music Fraternity
  • Tau Beta Sigma: Honorary Band Sorority
  • Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association
  • Student National Association of Teachers of Singing

Clubs & Organizations

  • American Choral Directors Association Student Chapter
  • Music Therapy Club
  • Mu Phi Epsilon: International Professional Music Fraternity
  • Tau Beta Sigma: Honorary Band Sorority
  • Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association
  • Student National Association of Teachers of Singing

Resources

From application tips to academic information and support, we provide the guidance and tools you need to start strong and stay on track. Our resources are here to help you make the most of your SRU experience.

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