College of Music & Dramatic Arts

 Departments, Schools, and Curricula

The College of Music & Dramatic Arts is comprised of the Department of Theatre and the School of Music. The Department of Theatre offers theatrical productions under the joint auspices of LSU Theatre and Swine Palace, the latter being a professional equity theatre. Divisions in the School of Music are: Academic Studies, Bands, Ensembles and Conducting, Instrumental, Keyboard, Music Education, and Voice/Opera. Areas of concentration in the Department of Theatre are: Performance, Physical Theatre, Design/Technology, Film and Television, Theatre Studies, and Arts Administration. Both the Department of Theatre and the School of Music offer comprehensive degree programs from the baccalaureate through the doctorate.

The primary goals of the college are:

• to offer advanced training in the performing arts to students who are committed to developing their innate talents;
• to make the performing arts a cultural asset in their lives and the lives of others;
• to prepare graduates for leadership roles and careers in the performing arts.

The School of Music and the Department of Theatre at LSU have long been recognized regionally and nationally for the quality of their performance and research programs. Their faculties have distinguished themselves as specialists in their fields and many currently lead their respective discipline’s professional associations. Student groups have appeared as invited featured performers at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Notre Dame Cathedral (France), Berlin Cathedral (Germany), and at national and regional conferences and conventions.

The college provides numerous public performances and opportunities for artistic learning and cultural enrichment throughout the year for students and the community at large.

The following undergraduate programs are offered by the College of Music & Dramatic Arts:

• Music (BA)
• Music (BM)
• Music Education (BME)
• Theatre (BA)

Admission Requirements

Within the framework of university regulations, students may be admitted to the college according to the following policies:

• Entering Freshmen who meet the university admissions standards and have a declared major within the College of Music & Dramatic Arts will be admitted to the college during Freshmen Orientation. Prospective music majors must successfully audition before they may be admitted to the college or register for music major courses.
• Students may be admitted from University College to the college provided that they have credit for the freshman-year courses for the curriculum they plan to follow and with an audition for the appropriate faculty (required for music majors only).
• Transfer students from University College or other divisions of LSU, or from other colleges and universities who have passed the required audition for admission (music majors only) may be admitted to the college. Students transferring from another institution must meet university transfer admission requirements. Students must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better to be admitted unconditionally to the Bachelor of Music Education degree program.
  
  All transfer students in music must take an advisory examination in theory. This includes ear-training, keyboard work, harmonization, and analysis. The results of the examination will be used to aid in planning a practical schedule of courses consistent with the student’s training and ability. The examinations are given at stated times during registration in each semester or summer term. Students in music degree programs also must audition. See the “School of Music ” information in this chapter.

Independent and Distance Learning Course Credit

Up to one-fourth of the number of hours required for the baccalaureate degree may be taken in Independent and Distance Learning (IDL) courses. Acceptance of such work is contingent upon its applicability to the student’s curriculum; therefore, students should obtain approval from the dean of the College of Music & Dramatic Arts before registering for IDL courses. IDL study in music theory and work in applied music completed through other universities or colleges must be verified by examination and auditions.

Requirements for a Second Bachelor’s Degree

A person holding a baccalaureate degree who wishes to obtain a second baccalaureate degree through this college must satisfactorily complete all requirements in the curriculum selected. In addition, general university requirements for a second bachelor’s degree must be met.

Graduate Programs

The Graduate School offers the following degrees in the field of music: Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy. The following graduate degree programs are available in theatre: Master of Fine Arts (acting; technology/design) and the Doctor of Philosophy. The requirements for these degrees are given in “The Graduate School ” section.

Minor Field Requirements (Optional)

Students in the College of Music & Dramatic Arts may earn a minor in a field outside of their current major under the following conditions:

• Students must earn at least 15 semester hours in the minor field, of which at least six semester hours must be taken on this campus and at the 3000 and/or the 4000 level.
• Each course used in the minor must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.
• Courses used for the minor may not be taken on a pass-fail basis.

Minor fields may be chosen from any major field currently offered in which the specific requirements for a minor have been established and approved by the Faculty Senate Courses and Curricula Committee and the Office of Academic Affairs.

The department offering the minor may impose additional requirements.

Undergraduate Career Plan

Students are encouraged to enrich their studies and prepare for their careers by using the Career Plan for Undergraduates in addition to their academic course of study.