BA Music at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Programme overview

The music major is available in two degree programs. Both include the opportunity to take applied lessons with highly acclaimed faculty artists and scholars, as well as a compulsory foundation in music theory and history, keyboard skills, and ensemble participation.

Faculty: Fine & Performing Arts | Duration: 120 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall, Spring and Summer start (first-year application deadlines: Summer/Fall May 1, Spring December 1) | Location: Lincoln, NE, United States

What you will study

Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music; 120 credit hours required. Students choosing the bachelor of arts degree can expect a substantial amount of musical study encompassing about three years. The BA degree requires that a minor area of study be included in the program of studies.

Career pathways

Students desiring a course of study in music that will prepare them for graduate study and eventually a professional career in performance, music theory, music history, composition, or piano pedagogy should pursue a bachelor of music degree.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level (not programme-specific): admission is guaranteed to first-year applicants who complete the 16 core course units (English 4, mathematics 4, natural sciences 3, social sciences 3, world language 2) and meet one performance requirement: 3.0 cumulative high school GPA, or ACT 20+, or SAT 1040+, or rank in the top half of the graduating class. ACT/SAT scores are not required. Applicants who do not meet these requirements are reviewed by the admissions committee. Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts: auditions (music, dance, acting) or an application and portfolio (entertainment design and production, emerging media arts) apply to specific majors; art and art history have no audition or special application. Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.0 for graduation.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms: Summer/Fall (August start) and Spring (January start). The first-year, transfer and international pages list fall 2027 and spring 2027 terms; spring 2027 classes begin January 11.

Fall 2027 application for admission opens August 1, 2026.

First-year and transfer applications: Summer/Fall deadline May 1; Spring deadline December 1. Applications received after the deadline may be placed on a waitlist. Fall 2027 priority deadline for scholarship notification is November 1 (admission application).

International applicants: Fall 2027 priority deadline November 1, final deadline May 1; Spring 2027 final deadline December 1. English proficiency scores due July 15 (fall), December 1 (spring), May 1 (summer).

The application fee is $45, payable by credit card or check (international applicants pay online by credit card). First-year applicants apply through the Common Application or Nebraska's own application. ACT/SAT scores are not required for admission and are encouraged for full scholarship consideration.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.unl.edu/apply/

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