Music at NIU
Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts in Music
Discover the universal language of music with our talented community.
Whether you're performing, composing or simply experiencing it, music is a powerful force. It can convey ideas and feelings that can't be put into words. Music's history and traditions across cultures and time periods make it a rich and rewarding area of study. Join us to add your voice to the global chorus.
I chose music education because of my past experiences in music classes. I love to teach people in addition to music, so music education seemed like the obvious choice.”
Did You Know?
Music majors who choose the performance emphasis can focus on keyboard music, vocal music, instrumental music or jazz studies.
What Can I Do With a Music Degree From NIU?
You'll be ready to excel in music performance, education or composition, as well as a range of other career paths that make use of your creativity and communication skills.
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What to Expect as a Music Major at NIU
You can get a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree. The B.A. allows you to study music in a broader academic context and complements a range of other majors and minors.
The B.M. degree has three emphases to choose from:
- Composition
- Music education
- Performance
How We’ll Help You Succeed
Apply for free and we’ll automatically consider you for a renewable merit scholarship.
Pursue your bachelor's degree at an exceptional value with our affordable tuition and fees.
Get access to career support resources like assessments, leadership courses and resume/cover letter support.
Apply to NIU
First-year Students
(Freshman)
High School GPA
3.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed general NIU admission.
ACT/SAT SCORES
We think your high school GPA is a better predictor of your success.
Transfer Students
ALL COLLEGES GPA
2.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed general NIU admission.
ALL COLLEGES GPA
3.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed a
renewable merit scholarship.