Overview
The Bachelor of Music in Theory is offered by the Department of Music Studies.
The Bachelor in Music in Theory program prepares its majors to be well-rounded practical musicians able to apply skills and knowledge to performance, composition, analysis, research and teaching.
Students must select one of the following concentrations:
- Bassoon
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Classical Guitar
- Double Bass
- Euphonium
- Flute
- French Horn
- Harp
- Harpsichord
- Oboe
- Percussion
- Piano
- Saxophone
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Viola
- Violin
- Voice
Special Admissions Requirements
See Music Admissions information on the Boyer College of Music and Dance page.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: BC-THRY-BMUS
Contact Information
Edward Latham, Music Studies Department Chair
215-204-8498
elatham@temple.edu
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Summary of Requirements
The Bachelor of Music in Theory is conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 123 credits. This major requires a concentration; the available concentrations are Instrumental (options include Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Classical Guitar, Double Bass, Euphonium, Flute, French Horn, Harp, Harpsichord, Oboe, Percussion, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola, and Violin), Piano, and Voice.
University Requirements
- All students are required to complete the university's General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
- All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses. The specific writing-intensive courses required for the major are MUST 3696 and MUST 3896.
Program Requirements (Instrumental Concentration)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education courses | 32 | |
| Music Theory | ||
| MUST 1711 | Theory I | 4 |
| or MUST 1911 | Honors Theory I | |
| MUST 1712 | Theory II | 4 |
| or MUST 1912 | Honors Theory II | |
| MUST 2711 | Theory III | 4 |
| or MUST 2911 | Honors Theory III | |
| MUST 2712 | Theory IV | 4 |
| or MUST 2912 | Honors Theory IV | |
| MUST 3896 | Theory Seminar II (Take two times for six total credits) | 6 |
| Music History | ||
| MUST 2703 | Music in History | 3 |
| MUST 2704 | Music in History | 3 |
| MUST 3696 | Music in History | 3 |
| Counterpoint | ||
| MUST 4717 | Counterpoint | 3 |
| Orchestration | ||
| MUST 3713 | Orchestration | 3 |
| Keyboard Harmony | ||
| MUST 3741 | Keyboard Harmony | 3 |
| Analysis | ||
| MUST 4718 | Analysis | 3 |
| Basic Conducting | ||
| MUSC 2323 | Basic Conducting | 1 |
| Secondary Piano | ||
| MUSC 1405 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| MUSC 1406 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| MUSC 2405 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| MUSC 2406 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| MUSC 3405 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| MUSC 3406 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| Composition | ||
| MUST 2748 | Composition I | 2 |
| Voice | ||
| MUSC 1211 | Voice Class | 1 |
| MUSC 1212 | Voice Class | 1 |
| Foreign Language 1 | ||
| Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| Instrumental Concentration | ||
| MUSC 1501 | Instrumental Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 1502 | Instrumental Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 2501 | Instrumental Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 2502 | Instrumental Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 3501 | Instrumental Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 3502 | Instrumental Concentration | 2 |
| Ensembles | ||
| Take any combination of the following eight courses for a total of 5 credits: | 5 | |
| Accompanying and Piano Ensemble (Take any one five times) | ||
| Accompanying and Piano Ensemble | ||
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Graduate Conductors Choir | ||
| Instrumental Ensemble | ||
| Instrumental Ensemble | ||
| Ensemble | ||
| Electives | ||
| Free Electives | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
- 1
Two foreign languages, through level II, are required.
Program Requirements (Piano Concentration)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education courses | 32 | |
| Music Theory | ||
| MUST 1711 | Theory I | 4 |
| or MUST 1911 | Honors Theory I | |
| MUST 1712 | Theory II | 4 |
| or MUST 1912 | Honors Theory II | |
| MUST 2711 | Theory III | 4 |
| or MUST 2911 | Honors Theory III | |
| MUST 2712 | Theory IV | 4 |
| or MUST 2912 | Honors Theory IV | |
| MUST 3896 | Theory Seminar II (Take two times for six total credits) | 6 |
| Music History | ||
| MUST 2703 | Music in History | 3 |
| MUST 2704 | Music in History | 3 |
| MUST 3696 | Music in History | 3 |
| Counterpoint | ||
| MUST 4717 | Counterpoint | 3 |
| Orchestration | ||
| MUST 3713 | Orchestration | 3 |
| Keyboard Harmony | ||
| MUST 3741 | Keyboard Harmony | 3 |
| Analysis | ||
| MUST 4718 | Analysis | 3 |
| Basic Conducting | ||
| MUSC 2323 | Basic Conducting | 1 |
| Composition | ||
| MUST 2748 | Composition I | 2 |
| Voice | ||
| MUSC 1211 | Voice Class | 1 |
| MUSC 1212 | Voice Class | 1 |
| Foreign Language 1 | ||
| Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| Piano Concentration | ||
| MUSC 1401 | Piano Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 1402 | Piano Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 2401 | Piano Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 2402 | Piano Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 3401 | Piano Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 3402 | Piano Concentration | 2 |
| Ensembles | ||
| Take any combination of the following eight courses for a total of 5 credits: | 5 | |
| Accompanying and Piano Ensemble | ||
| Accompanying and Piano Ensemble | ||
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Graduate Conductors Choir | ||
| Instrumental Ensemble | ||
| Instrumental Ensemble | ||
| Ensemble | ||
| Electives | ||
| Free Electives | 10 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
- 1
Two foreign languages, through level II, are required.
Program Requirements (Voice Concentration)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education courses | 32 | |
| Music Theory | ||
| MUST 1711 | Theory I | 4 |
| or MUST 1911 | Honors Theory I | |
| MUST 1712 | Theory II | 4 |
| or MUST 1912 | Honors Theory II | |
| MUST 2711 | Theory III | 4 |
| or MUST 2911 | Honors Theory III | |
| MUST 2712 | Theory IV | 4 |
| or MUST 2912 | Honors Theory IV | |
| MUST 3896 | Theory Seminar II (Take two times for six total credits) | 6 |
| Music History | ||
| MUST 2703 | Music in History | 3 |
| MUST 2704 | Music in History | 3 |
| MUST 3696 | Music in History | 3 |
| Counterpoint | ||
| MUST 4717 | Counterpoint | 3 |
| Orchestration | ||
| MUST 3713 | Orchestration | 3 |
| Keyboard Harmony | ||
| MUST 3741 | Keyboard Harmony | 3 |
| Analysis | ||
| MUST 4718 | Analysis | 3 |
| Basic Conducting | ||
| MUSC 2323 | Basic Conducting | 1 |
| Secondary Piano | ||
| MUSC 1405 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| MUSC 1406 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| MUSC 2405 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| MUSC 2406 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| MUSC 3405 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| MUSC 3406 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors | 1 |
| Composition | ||
| MUST 2748 | Composition I | 2 |
| Voice | ||
| MUSC 1211 | Voice Class | 1 |
| MUSC 1212 | Voice Class | 1 |
| Foreign Language 1 | ||
| Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| Voice Concentration | ||
| MUSC 1201 | Voice Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 1202 | Voice Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 2201 | Voice Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 2202 | Voice Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 3201 | Voice Concentration | 2 |
| MUSC 3202 | Voice Concentration | 2 |
| Ensembles | ||
| Take any combination of the following eight courses for a total of 5 credits: | 5 | |
| Accompanying and Piano Ensemble | ||
| Accompanying and Piano Ensemble | ||
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Graduate Conductors Choir | ||
| Instrumental Ensemble | ||
| Instrumental Ensemble | ||
| Ensemble | ||
| Electives | ||
| Free Electives | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
- 1
Two foreign languages, through level II, are required.
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Music in Theory
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MUSC 1211 | Voice Class | 1 |
| MUSC 1405 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors 1 | 1 |
| Choral/Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUST 1711 or MUST 1911 | Theory I or Honors Theory I | 4 |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 2 | |
| Voice Concentration | ||
| Piano Concentration | ||
| Instrumental Concentration | ||
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSC 1212 | Voice Class | 1 |
| MUSC 1406 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors 1 | 1 |
| Choral/Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUST 1712 or MUST 1912 | Theory II or Honors Theory II | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 2 | |
| Voice Concentration | ||
| Piano Concentration | ||
| Instrumental Concentration | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUSC 2405 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors 1 | 1 |
| Choral/Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUST 2703 | Music in History | 3 |
| MUST 2711 or MUST 2911 | Theory III or Honors Theory III | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 2 | |
| Voice Concentration | ||
| Piano Concentration | ||
| Instrumental Concentration | ||
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSC 2406 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors 1 | 1 |
| Choral/Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUST 2704 | Music in History | 3 |
| MUST 2712 or MUST 2912 | Theory IV or Honors Theory IV | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 2 | |
| Voice Concentration | ||
| Piano Concentration | ||
| Instrumental Concentration | ||
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUSC 3405 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors 1 | 1 |
| Choral/Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUST 3696 | Music in History [WI] | 3 |
| MUST 4717 | Counterpoint | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Course # 1 2 | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 2 | |
| Voice Concentration | ||
| Piano Concentration | ||
| Instrumental Concentration | ||
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSC 3406 | Secondary Piano for Music Majors 1 | 1 |
| MUST 3896 | Theory Seminar II [WI] | 3 |
| MUST 4718 | Analysis | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Course # 2 2 | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 2 | |
| Voice Concentration | ||
| Piano Concentration | ||
| Instrumental Concentration | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUSC 2323 | Basic Conducting | 1 |
| MUST 3713 | Orchestration | 3 |
| MUST 3741 | Keyboard Harmony | 3 |
| MUST 2748 | Composition I | 2 |
| Foreign Language Course # 3 2 | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUST 3896 | Theory Seminar II [WI] | 3 |
| Foreign Language Course # 4 2 | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 11 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
- 1
Students in the Piano Concentration are not required to take Secondary Piano Courses and may select a Free Elective instead.
- 2
Two foreign languages, through level II, are required.