Prospective Students

Welcome to the School of Music at Boston University.  Here, you’ll find a musical community within a major research university in an historic hub of culture.  As the first degree-granting music school in the United States, the BU School of Music challenges students to uphold and build upon the proud tradition and innovative spirit the city of Boston exemplifies.  The faculty is drawn from the ranks of some of the world’s most distinguished musicians and institutions and includes 30 members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  The quality and diversity of Boston’s music scene provide constant stimulation and contribute to the School’s culture of musical excellence.  Students undergo rigorous preparation for careers as composers, performers, scholars, and teachers.

The School of Music offers a wide range of programs leading to both undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as several diplomas and certificates. We invite you to explore the various options and opportunities available to students in the School of Music.

Undergraduates can receive a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Performance, Composition & Theory, Musicology, or Music Education, and may choose to participate in one of several special programs offered to undergraduates, such as the dual degree program or five year BM/MM program. Undergraduates with majors outside the School of Music can elect to seek a minor in music.

The School’s graduate program offers additional areas of study in the Master of Music (MM) and the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) programs. The School also offers several diploma and certificate programs for students who have already received an undergraduate degree.

The School of Music offers programs leading to the:

Other academic opportunities:

Undergraduate students can receive a dual degree through the Boston University Double Degree program. A minor in music and a minor in music performance is offered to the BU community. Undergraduate students may also earn a BM in Performance and a MM in Music Education in five years.  Please visit the Combined Programs page for detailed information.