Bachelor in Music (Bachelor's)

Dickinson College’s campus sits close to downtown Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with dining, shopping, local businesses and volunteer opportunities within easy reach. Students can explore nature on the Appalachian Trail and travel to Harrisburg, New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia or Baltimore. Community, friendships, activities and support are part of campus life, with professors who make time for students and a college where students are known, mentored and challenged. Dickinson’s history reaches back to 1783, and it was one of the first carbon-neutral colleges in the country.

Dickinson’s flexible liberal-arts and sciences approach lets students explore different academic paths while developing critical thinking, adaptability and a global perspective. Learning extends beyond classes through internships, fieldwork, research, networking and career development. The Burgess Institute for the Global Economy offers business and finance experiences to students from every major, including affiliated courses, industry events, executives in residence, alumni mentoring, off-campus excursions, workshops and access to Bloomberg terminals. Students can follow guided pathways in business and finance, data and technology, nonprofits and other fields. International experience is a substantial part of the college’s culture: 60% of students study abroad in more than 35 countries. Global and domestic educational experiences connect academic interests with community health, technology innovation and environmental sustainability, while intercultural skills form part of professional preparation.

This programme prepares students for careers in music performance, composition, and music scholarship. It emphasizes analytical thinking, cultural context, and practical musicianship through coursework and ensemble participation. Students engage in studio lessons, chamber music, and large ensembles alongside faculty who are active performers and scholars. The curriculum integrates theory, history, and performance across diverse musical traditions.

Focus areas include Performance, Composition, Music Theory, Music History, Ensemble Participation, Creative Arts.

The programme requires 36 credits in music courses, including core requirements in theory, history, and performance. Students complete a senior project or capstone, such as a composition or research paper, and participate in at least one ensemble each semester.

Graduates pursue roles as performers, composers, music educators, arts administrators, and researchers in institutions such as opera companies, conservatories, museums, and cultural organizations.

Applicants must submit a music portfolio and audition. A high school diploma or equivalent is required. No specific GPA or test scores are listed. Additional materials include a personal statement and academic transcripts.

The programme totals about 36 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, four-year programme. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 43% of applicants.