Ethnomusicology allows students to explore a variety of musical expressions that have occurred or are in the process of developing throughout the world.

During their four years of study, undergraduate majors with a concentration in ethnomusicology take a) courses in musicianship geared toward hearing and understanding aspects of music from various world traditions; b) introductory courses in specific music cultures; c) courses in interdisciplinary areas; and d) courses in general musicianship that will aid the discussion and contextualization of specific musical traditions. B.A. students also take classes in music theory, western music history, and the analysis of traditional music.

An undergraduate degree in ethnomusicology may lead in a number of career directions. Undergraduates with ethnomusicology concentrations have gone on to work in the music industry as publicists and record label managers; in the film industry (e.g. selecting culturally appropriate music for films), in professional performance, in music technology, as writers and editors of music-related material, and as K-12 educators. Other options include music journalism, arts-related enterprises, and global studies. Undergraduates have also enrolled in graduate programs in ethnomusicology, ethnic/area studies, and library science, all of which may lead to careers in university teaching, research, sound archiving, non-profit arts administration, museum curating, or government administration. 

Requirements

The Ethnomusicology Concentration requires 128 semester hours of credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. The last 30 hours must be completed at NCCU.

Students must complete

• MUSL 1010, 1220, 2210, 2220, 2110, 2120, 3110, 3410, 3420; four semesters of APPL; four semesters of ensembles (chosen with the guidance of the advisor) MUSL 3850, MUSL 4600, MUSL 3900, MUSL 4850.

• 21 credit hours from the African Diaspora Concentration (or Global Studies) course offerings: ENG 4200, FREN 2300, FREN 4550, GEOG 4310, HIST 2410, HIST 2420, HIST 3070, HIST 3710, HIST 4070, HIST 4160, HIST 4170, HIST 4631, HIST 4910, SPAN 3301,  DRAM 4140, ART 1200,  ART 2030, ART 3030,  MUSL 1001, MUSL 3200, MUSL 2800, MUSL 4810, MUSL 4820, JAZZ 4000, or others as approved by the advisor. Students are strongly encouraged to take HIST 3070, HIST 3710, and HIST 4070.

• A final project in MUSL 4850 instead of a recital.

• 20 credit hours of electives chosen from MUSL 1001, MUSL 1050, MUSL 1060, MUSL 1070, MUSL 1080, MUSL 3200, MUSL 2800, MUSL 5810, MUSL 4820, JAZZ 4000.

Students must enroll in

• an applied music primary course during the freshman and sophomore semesters

• workshops/recititals during the freshman and sophomor semesters

• a musical ensemble during the freshman and junior semesters. 

Admission

Before you are admitted to this online degree completion program, you must complete NCCU's required 47-credit university college core curriculum, either on campus or through transfer of credit from another accredited institution. Acceptance of transfer credit to fulfill program or elective requirements will be made on the basis of the university policies described in the university catalog. NCCU's application form is available here.

Tuition and fees

A listing of current tuition and fees is available here.

For further information

Go to the department Web site, email us, or telephone the program coordinator at 919-530-7218.