Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music
You’ll get hands-on experience working and performing in the Rogers Center for the Arts, one of the premier visual and performing arts venues north of Boston.
Merrimack College’s Bachelor of Arts in Music empowers you to unleash your creativity while giving you a solid, all-around education in music.
Music Degree at a Glance
Program Type
Major
Mode of Study
On Campus
Internship
Guaranteed
Est. Time
4 Years
Start Terms
Fall, Spring
Cost
School
Accreditation
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Spring Open House
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
from 1:00 pm
to 4:00 pm
At our Spring Open House, you'll attend academic breakout sessions, connect with members of our community, and take a tour of our beautiful New England campus.
The Music Major
Merrimack’s music degree is your ticket to unlocking your creative potential and mastering the latest in both music production and engineering. You’ll dive into the tools and tech shaping today’s music scene such as industry-standard software, cutting-edge production gear and gain a deeper understanding of music theory, history and composition – it’s everything you need to turn your passion into your career.
Interested in musical performance? Explore our marching bands page and/or various bands and choirs to learn how you can get involved!
What You'll Study
At Merrimack, you’ll explore music from every corner of the globe and learn different styles and traditions! Level up your music theory skills, create original compositions and perform live—either solo or with a group. Plus, you’ll sharpen your writing skills by diving into the history and impact of music across genres and audiences.
Music History
Music Theory
Music Production
Practice and Identity
Music Composition
Inquiry, Research and Thesis
Skills You'll Learn
Our music major combines core classes, hands-on learning and performance courses plus a senior capstone project. You’ll also get real-world experience through internships in arts or business/management where you’ll build entrepreneurial skills and see how everything you learn applies in the industry.
Musical Performance
Music Production & Technology
Critical Listening & Analysis
Written & Oral Communication
Professional Performances
Through your hybrid-learning course offerings, you’ll gain experience performing professionally throughout your degree. Our expert faculty will help guide you on perfecting your stage-forward skills!
Music Courses You'll Take
Music
History I
MUS 2301
The first half of a two-semester sequence surveying the works of western and non-western musical traditions. This course examines the creation and development of musical genres throughout the historical periods from classical antiquity in Greece and Rome to the culmination of the Baroque.
Music
Production
MUS 3310
Gain a basic understanding of both computer hardware and software used in a musical environment and create a digitally integrated music research project. This course is designed to equip students with applied knowledge of how technology impacts and has impacted the musical world.
Practice
and Identity
VPA 2900
This interdisciplinary studio and seminar hybrid course focuses on recognizing and articulating a student’s own unique artistic identity and the individualized processes associated with their practice. You’ll begin establishing a professional practice within the arts and developing your portfolio.
See All Courses & Options Available to Music Majors
Music Major Requirements
General Education Requirements
In addition to the major requirements below, you will also need to complete Merrimack’s general education requirements. To see more details about the major, please visit catalog.merrimack.edu.Sample Four-Year Schedule - Curriculum Guide
Why Choose the Bachelor of Arts in Music?
Blend creativity with practicality through Merrimack College’s music major – the skills you’ll gain in our music program will open you up to a variety of career pathways.
HYBRID COURSES
Take courses that are built to be hybrid, allowing you to explore the outside world with an academic lens.
BE A STEP AHEAD
Studying current trends in music production, technology, and entrepreneurship means you'll have an advantage in the job market.
VERSATILE CAREER PATHWAYS
The versatility of this degree means you can choose a career in music production, business, management and more!
Career Outlook: Where Can a Music Degree Take You?
Career Outcomes Rate
94% of the undergraduate class of 2023 in Arts & Sciences were either employed, participating in voluntary service or continuing their education within nine months of graduation.
Experiential Learning
90% of the undergraduate class of 2023 participated in at least one internship, co-op, clinical, practicum or research opportunity while at Merrimack.
Graduate School
Merrimack, New England School of Law, George Washington University and Boston College are just some of the graduate programs Arts & Sciences graduates are attending.
Jobs with a Music Degree
Upon completing our program, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue graduate study or a career in music and related disciplines. Music major jobs have a diverse range of career options. Positions may include:
- Recording Engineer
- Artist-in-residence or Performer
- Music Ministry
- Sound Designer
- Music Composer for the film and video game industries
- Music Educator
- Arts Business or Arts Management
- Music Journalist
Where Merrimack Music Graduates Work & Intern
Boston Children's Hospital
Postdoctoral Researcher
Brookhaven Hospice
Social Worker
Harvard Business Publishing
Client Services Specialist
Fulbright Scholar Program
Fellowship, Nepal
Northeast Arc - Andover
Internship - Disabilities
St. Ann's Home - Methuen
Internship - Disabilities
Windrush Farm - Boxford
Internship - Equine Therapy
Crest Collab. - Andover
Internship - Inclusive Ed.
Beyond the Classroom
Student Life
You’ll have endless opportunities to find your fit, get involved and pursue what makes you happy—all while making lifelong friends (and memories!).
Explore your passions alongside others with similar interests, whether that means a cappella singing or outdoor adventuring.
- 70+ student organizations
- Division I Athletics, club and intramural sports
- Beloved traditions like Homecoming, Block Party and Spring Concert
- Fraternities and sororities
Internships & Co-Ops
Our students gain valuable work experience and connections with leading companies through guaranteed internships and the Warriors at Work co-op program. Recent placements include:
- Interning with Homeland Security Investigations, shadowing special agents
- Interning at Delta Tech-Ops, working in components engineering
- Working as a tax intern at Baker Tilly
Research with Faculty
With access to cutting-edge tools, undergraduate students can collaborate with faculty on research projects that can lead to presentations and publications.
- Explore the complexities of the human mind in a state-of-the-art psychology lab.
- Understand how inflammation affects immune cell aging in our Shared Instrumentation and Research Facility.
- Build fully functional battle bots for competitions.
Study Abroad
Global Merrimack provides transformative, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Our 30+ study abroad programs include semesters abroad, faculty-led trips and international internships.
- Explore and study in the Dominican Republic or Iceland.
- Immerse yourself in cities like Dublin, Madrid or Rome.
- Experience a semester at sea or intern in vibrant cities like London or Paris.
Service Learning
Community and service are at the heart of our Augustinian mission.
Over 1,000 students work together to engage in hands-on service learning projects each year, supporting our communities and those in need.
- Participate in our campus-wide Mack Gives Back volunteer days.
- Spend your winter, spring, or summer break on an immersive SEND trip in the U.S. or abroad, helping those in need.
- Tutor students in nearby school districts.
See for Yourself
Programs Related to the Music Major
Explore other areas and where they can take you.
Take the Next Step (We're Here to Help)
At Merrimack, we are ready to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go. And, we make the process simple along the way!
Upcoming Events
Info Session & Campus Tour
Monday-Friday & Most Saturdays
Attend a 20-minute info session led by an admission counselor and then take a student-led campus tour. Registration is required.
Merrimack College Awards & Recognition
U.S. News & World Report | Best Regional Universities North (2024)
- Most Innovative Schools (#5)
- Regional Universities North (#39)
- Best Undergraduate Teaching (#19)
- Best Colleges for Veterans (#15)
- Best Value Schools (#51)
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