Popular Music Studies (BA)

Popular Music Studies at CCNY is a NYSED-approved online degree that includes courses in the history, analysis, composition, and socio-cultural context of contemporary popular music.

Degree Requirements (42 credits)

First Semester

• MUS 23100, Harmony 1 [OA]
• MUS 26100, Ear Training 1 [OA, P*]
• MUS 21600, Music Production  [OS]
• MUS 26800, Fretboard Skills  [OA, OS]

Second Semester

• MUS 23200, Harmony 2  [OA]
• MUS 26200, Ear Training 2  [OA]
• MUS 24100, Minstrelsy to Rock 'n’ Roll  [OS]
• MUS 16400, Keyboard Skills  [OA]

Third Semester

• MUS 24200, 1960s to Today  [OS]
• MUS 43100, Popular Music Composition  [OS]
• MUS 16500, Voice Class  [P*]
• MUS xxxxx, Music Elective(s), level 20000 or higher  [mode varies]

Fourth Semester

• MUS 43300, Case Studies in Popular Music  [OS]
• MUS xxxxx, Music Elective(s), level 20000 or higher  [mode varies]

Notes:

• Guitarists/bassists may test out of Music 26800, Fretboard Skills.
• Keyboard players may test out of Music 16400, Keyboard Skills.
• Modalities: OA = asynchronous; OS = synchronous; P = in person.
• One section of Ear Training 1 will be offered in person F23 and S24.
• Voice Class is only in person, but will no longer be required after F23.

Please Note:
To ensure that students are prepared to be successful in the program, all first-semester Popular Music Studies courses require departmental permission to register. Please see this page about Placement.