Music Major

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

Accreditation

NECHE

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Spring OH

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! 

Merrimack College Jazz Band

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.
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Sample Four-Year Schedule - Curriculum Guide

Wondering when you’ll take certain courses? Use the Curriculum Guide—a sample four-year schedule—to get a sense of what your path to graduation looks like.

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?

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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.

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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

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

four students sitting in a cafe around a laptop

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)

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