CCM's Division of General Studies provides students with flexible pathways for the study of music as a cultural and artistic practice through either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or an Academic Minor program.
General Studies also offers a wide variety of Fine Arts Elective courses, which are open to all UC students. Current courses are listed in CCM's Arts for All offerings.
The BA in Music culminates in a liberal arts degree, which can be a gateway to careers in music and allied fields, including music promotions, arts administration, music therapy, journalism, ethnomusicology, musicology, music theory, composition, songwriting, commercial music production and library science.
The BA Music curriculum is flexible, and students design their coursework to emphasize particular skill areas or to complete a broader course of study that samples from all areas. Ample electives allow for the possibility to complete double-majors, minors, certificate programs (including pre-law or pre-med coursework) and to participate in study abroad opportunities. These experiences culminate in an individual capstone research project with a CCM faculty member.
Because of the liberal arts focus of the bachelor of arts degree, students primarily interested in performance should apply to a bachelor of music (BM) degree in their instrument.
CCM's undergradaute admissions process begins on August 1 for entrance in the following year's fall semester. All application materials must be submitted on or before December 1 to be considered for specific scholarship awards. Visit the CCM Admissions website for additional application instructions.
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an interview.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree at CCM is a liberal arts degree that provides students with flexible pathways for the study of music as a cultural and artistic practice. Ample electives allow for a breadth of approaches to music studies, and more than half of the coursework allows students to explore courses outside of music, with possibilities for double-majors, minors, certificate programs and pre-med or pre-law coursework.
Because of the liberal arts focus of this degree, students primarily interested in studying performance should apply to a Bachelor of Music degree in their chosen performance area instead.
Private lessons in a performance area are encouraged within this program; however, if an applicant wants to study at the secondary or concentration level, the applicant will need to be admitted by faculty in the applied performance area in addition to the BA-Music program.
The Music Minor at CCM provides students with a broad general education in Music. The minor offers non-music majors exposure to music through courses in musicology and ethnomusicology, music theory, music composition, music technology, jazz history and studies, commercial music production, and performance studies. Students already pursuing a non-music degree in any college at UC can add the minor to their program. The minor is intended for students who want to develop a specialty in music that will complement other areas of study.
The Music Minor's curriculum is adaptable so that students may design their coursework to emphasize a particular skill area or to complete a broader course of study that samples from multiple areas. The music minor includes core courses that provide grounding in critical listening skills and music fundamentals, electives (any course listed under the FAM subject code and other courses listed on the Music minor webpage), and participation in ensembles.
All applicants must be current UC students. CCM accepts 10-15 minor applicants each year. Students interested in applying for the Music Minor should submit a complete copy of their most recent Degree Audit and a 500-word essay explaining their educational and career goals and why they wish to minor in Music. Submissions for the Music Minor should be emailed to division head Professor Kimothy Pensyl and copied to Darlene Miller, executive assistant. Questions should be directed to Darlene Miller via email or at 513-556-6046. All applications are due by Nov. 1.
In applying for the minor, students affirm their understanding that:
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August 19, 2025
Experience world-class performances by the next generation of performing and media artists at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)! The college’s fall 2025 schedule of major events is now available; tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
August 13, 2025
UC’s College-Conservatory of Music will welcome a variety of new faculty and staff members to its roster of distinguished performing and media arts experts, researchers and educators this fall.
August 1, 2025
CCM Dean Peter J. Jutras shares a message with the college community ahead of the 2025-26 academic year and performance season.
June 30, 2025
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras recently announced the appointment of Maggie Perrino as the college's new Assistant Dean of CCM Prep and Community Engagement. In this role, Perrino will lead a team of faculty and administrative staff at CCM Prep, which offers a wide variety of programs in music, dance and the theatre arts throughout the year for people of all ages and abilities. She will also oversee CCM’s Summer Programs for youth, teens and adults. Perrino's appointment begins on June 30, 2025.
June 16, 2025
UC’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) offers dozens of different general studies and arts elective courses in fall 2025. These credit-granting courses are open to all UC students and cover a wide range of topics including dance, movies and media, music and theatre arts!
June 4, 2025
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras recently announced the appointment of Jessie L. Grant, PhD, as CCM's new Assistant Dean of Student Services. In this role, Grant will coordinate CCM’s academic advising program, connect students with college and university-level resources, and evaluate CCM policies and processes to better serve the college’s undergraduate and graduate students. Grant's appointment officially began on June 2, 2025.
