Music BA

Our Bachelor of Arts program is designed with flexibility in mind. You will enjoy all the benefits of a performance degree-including private lessons and ensembles while exploring areas of study outside of music.

View the 2023–2024 Curriculum

Audition Overview

Admission to the Mary Pappert School of Music also includes a formal audition. Learn more about the audition process & guidelines.

Program Information

Accelerated Pathway Options: BA + One-Year MBA (3-year), BA + Juris Doctor (6-year)

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

Academic Department

Musicianship

Duration

4-year (can be accelerated to complete in 3 years)

Required Credit Hours

120

 

Customize Your BA in Music

 
Faculty member instructs student at a mixing console.

Concentrate your BA with studies in music technology.

You can create your own music-making experience that balances your passion for music production with your desire to perform by choosing courses in music technology while taking lessons and participating in ensembles, such as:

Four people talking and drinking coffee.

Accelerate and combine your BA with business or law.

The accelerated pathway allows students to complete the BA in 3 years immediately followed by 1 year of graduate studies in the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business or 3 years in the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University.

   

Alumni Perspective

Student in graduation cap and gown stands in front of a city background.

I learned so much from my time at Duquesne! I’ve been able to take my skills abroad to work at the Duquesne in Rome campus as a Global Assistant Resident Coordinator.

Megan Dell B.A., 2022

Program Director

Benjamin Binder

Chair of Musicianship Department; Professor of Musicianship; Program Director of the Bachelor of Arts in Music

Headshot of Benjamin Binder in front of blurry leaves.

Hone Your Performing Skills

Regardless of degree path, each student benefits from one-on-one instruction with our world-class faculty.

Duquesne's ensembles will provide you with the finest university-level performing experiences available, preparing you for your career as a professional musician. As a member, you will perform on campus, as well as at some of the best venues for music in the city. Our students have performed at Heinz Hall, Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, the August Wilson Center, the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, and many more. 

LEARN ABOUT ENSEMBLES

In today's competitive commercial and studio music environment, versatility is of the utmost importance. Our unique jazz curriculum integrates foundational training in the classical tradition with private instruction and coursework in jazz idioms.