BM Theory: Music at University of South Carolina

Programme overview

Explore music theory along with composition and history in a rigorous and creative environment committed to musical excellence. You'll develop independent research skills while pursuing a broad academic education. A bachelor of music with an area of emphasis in music theory provides the study of music composition, traditional study in theory and history and work in related fields such as conducting, performance, education and music technology.

Faculty: School of Music | Duration: 122-130 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbia, SC, United States

What you will study

Complete core education courses in communication, global citizenry, history, humanities, ethics and information literacy. Study music courses in theory, history, aural skills, music electives and ensembles. Students will perform a series of jury exams on their primary instrument or voice in a wide array of musical styles and demonstrate fundamental piano skills.

Career pathways

Potential careers include Performer, Sound Designer, Music Instructor, Show Technician.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admissions (University of South Carolina Academic Bulletin): Entrance Requirements All applicants to the School of Music must audition on their principal instrument or voice. Admission to any specific degree is dependent on the qualifying audition. A student who wishes to enter the School of Music from another college on the Columbia campus must be in good standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher. A student who wishes to enter the School of Music from another USC campus must fulfill one of the following: Be in good standing, meet the admission requirements for a baccalaureate degree on the Columbia campus, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher. Be in good standing and have completed 30 semester hours with a GPA of 2.25 or higher on a USC campus. Transfer applicants from regionally accredited colleges and universities are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.25 (on a 4.00 scale) on all college-level courses attempted. If fewer...

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 for first-year and transfer applicants: Fall (August-December), Spring (January-May) and Summer (June-July). Transfer applications for Spring open Sept. 1 and for Summer and Fall open Feb. 1.

First-year applicants: Early Action deadline Oct. 15 (decision by mid-December, credentials due Nov. 1); Honors College deadline Nov. 15 (decision by mid-February, credentials due Dec. 1); Regular Decision deadline Dec. 1 (decision by mid-March, credentials due Jan. 15). Applicants apply with the USC Application or the Common App. The application fee is $70 for domestic first-year and transfer applicants and $100 for international applicants. USC is test-optional for fall, spring and summer 2027 terms; SAT/ACT scores are not required.

Transfer application deadlines (USC Columbia majors): Spring Nov. 1 (credentials Dec. 15); Summer May 1 (credentials May 15); Fall July 1 (credentials Aug. 1). Business majors: Summer May 1 (credentials May 1); Fall May 1 (credentials June 1); the Darla Moore School of Business does not enroll new spring transfer students. The transfer application fee is $70.

International first-year applicants: Early Action Oct. 15, Honors College Nov. 15, Regular Decision Dec. 1; the application fee is $100. Minimum English proficiency scores: TOEFL iBT 77, IELTS 6.5, PTE 53, Duolingo 115.

Apply through the official page: https://www.sc.edu/admissions-at-sc/applications/index.php

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