2025-2026 Academic Catalog

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Singer/Songwriter Emphasis, Music BS

General Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements

  1. To earn a BS in Music, students must complete musicianship courses, Music & Entertainment Industry Studies core courses and requirements from one of the four emphasis areas: performance, singer/songwriter, music business or recording arts. 
  2. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for each course applied toward a College of Arts & Media major, minor or certificate requirement. A grade of C- (1.7) or lower will not fulfill a major, minor or certificate requirement. A grade of S is acceptable only for courses in which the grading basis is S/U. No more than 6 semester hours of P+/P/F is allowed in any given semester. No more than 12 semester hours may be elected as P+/P/F toward the degree.

Emphasis Requirements

  1. Students are required to complete PMUS 3450 Singer/Songwriter Ensemble in their first semester of Applied Music and it is recommended that they take it again in their second semester. 
  2. Students must complete PMUS 1470 Performance Practice Ensemble during their third or fourth semester of Applied Music.
  3. Students must complete both semesters of applied instrument lessons on their primary audition instrument.
Music & Entertainment Industry Studies Core
Take all of the following Music & Entertainment Industry Studies Core courses:
MUSC 1540Introduction to Audio Production3
MUSC 2700Introduction to Music Business3
MUSC 3210Music and Entertainment Marketing3
MUSC 3220Artist Management3
MUSC 3755Music Publishing3
Musicianship Course Groups
Take all of the following Musicianship course groups:
Group 1
PMUS 1100Music Theory I3
PMUS 1110Ear Training and Sight Singing I1
PMUS 1023Piano Class I1
Group 2
PMUS 1200Music Theory II3
PMUS 1210Ear Training and Sight Singing II1
PMUS 1024Piano Class II1
Group 3
PMUS 2200Jazz Theory3
PMUS 2110Ear Training and Sight Singing III1
PMUS 1025Piano Class III1
Musicianship
Take one of the following Musicianship courses:1-2
Piano Class IV
Functional Guitar Skills: Acoustic Guitar Styles
Functional Guitar Skills: Electric Guitar Styles
Take all of the following Musicianship courses:
PMUS 3832Music in Culture3
PMUS ___Music History Elective3
PMUS 2050The Holistic Musician3
Music Elective (2 semesters)3
Singer/Songwriter Emphasis Course Groups
Take all of the following Singer/Songwriter Emphasis course groups:
Group 1
PMUS 1574Applied Guitar, Singer/Songwriter1
or PMUS 1644 Applied Piano, Singer/Songwriter
PMUS 1500Music Industry Insights1
PMUS ___Ensemble 1
Group 2
PMUS 1574Applied Guitar, Singer/Songwriter1
or PMUS 1644 Applied Piano, Singer/Songwriter
PMUS 1500Music Industry Insights1
PMUS ___Ensemble 1
Group 3
PMUS 1734Applied Voice, Singer/Songwriter1
PMUS 1500Music Industry Insights1
PMUS ___Ensemble 1
Group 4
PMUS 1734Applied Voice, Singer/Songwriter1
PMUS 1500Music Industry Insights1
PMUS ___Ensemble 1
Group 5
PMUS 3772Applied Singer/Songwriter2
PMUS ___Ensemble 1
Group 6
PMUS 3772Applied Singer/Songwriter2
PMUS ___Ensemble 1
Group 7
PMUS 4772Applied Singer/Songwriter2
PMUS ___Ensemble 1
Group 8
PMUS 4772Applied Singer/Songwriter2
PMUS ___Ensemble 1
Singer/Songwriter Emphasis
Take all of the following Singer/Songwriter Emphasis courses:
PMUS 2220Songwriting Production3
PMUS 3200Popular Music Performance Skills2
PMUS 3310Songwriting Analysis & Creative Exercises3
PMUS 3320Popular Music Arranging3
PMUS 4310Songwriting for Television & Film3
PMUS 4200Senior Recital Project2

Please contact the College of Arts & Media at CAM@ucdenver.edu for course sequencing, any prerequisite updates and for lists of approved electives and more information about this emphasis.

To review the Degree Map for this program, please visit our website