Undergraduate students have multiple options for participating in Music at Columbia. Currently we offer the Major in Music, Minor in Music, SEAS Music Minor and Concentration in Music (phasing out starting in Fall '24). All students at Columbia University and Barnard College are welcome to take music courses in the Department of Music.
Students can declare a major or minor in the Spring semester of their sophomore year. They can declare a minor at a later point also if they determine that they have the interest and space in their program of study to complete one.
Major in Music
Courses/Credits: 40 Credits Required for the Major
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Musicianship is replacing Ear-Training starting Fall '25. If you've already taken an Ear-Training course, please speak with the DUS.
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All courses must be taken for a letter grade to count for the major.
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AHMM3320UN/Music in East Asia and AHMM3321UN/Music in India & West Asia (aka Asian Music Hum), both Global Core courses, can count towards the Music Elective requirement.
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Masterpieces of Western Music (aka Music Hum) does NOT count towards the Music Elective requirement.
Minor in Music
The new Minor in Music is organized around pathways of personal interest, designed with the guidance of an advisor in the Department of Music. Any combination of 15 credits from the Music course list will fulfill the minor. Of those 15 credits, up to 6 maximum performance credits, consisting of lessons and/or ensembles, are allowed for any pathway (please note students must audition and be accepted into the Music Performance Program in order to register for lessons and/or ensembles).
Below are recommended pathways that students can use as a guide if they have interest in the areas of Music Studies, Music Production, Jazz, Performance or Composition. The courses listed in these pathways are not required and serve only as suggestions to students with interests in these areas.
All students interested in the Minor in Music should reach out to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, who will refer you to an advisor.
Courses/Credits: 15 Credits Required for the Minor in Music
- Musicianship is replacing Ear-Training starting Fall '25. If you've already taken an Ear-Training course, please speak with the DUS.
- All courses must be taken for a letter grade to count for the minor.
- AHMM3320UN/Music in East Asia and AHMM3321UN/Music in India & West Asia (aka Asian Music Hum), both Global Core courses, can count towards the 15 credit requirement for the minor.
- Masterpieces of Western Music (aka Music Hum) does NOT count towards the 15 credit requirement for the minor.
SEAS Music Minor
Starting in Spring ’25, the SEAS Music Minor will be organized around pathways of personal interest, designed with the guidance of an advisor in the Department of Music. Any combination of 15 credits from the Music course list will fulfill the minor. Of those 15 credits, up to 6 maximum performance credits, consisting of lessons and/or ensembles, are allowed for any pathway. Please note that performance credits do not count towards the 128 credits SEAS students must earn to graduate; in addition, students must audition and be accepted into the Music Performance Program in order to register for lessons and/or ensembles.
Below are recommended pathways that students can use as a guide. There is the General SEAS pathway or there are additional pathways if students have an interest in the areas of Music Studies, Music Production, Jazz, Performance or Composition. The courses listed in these pathways are not required and serve only as suggestions to students with interests in these areas.
All students interested in the SEAS Music Minor should reach out to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, who will refer you to an advisor.
Courses/Credits: 15 Credits Required for the SEAS Music Minor
- Musicianship is replacing Ear-Training starting Fall '25. If you've already taken an Ear-Training course, please speak with the DUS.
- All courses must be taken for a letter grade to count for the minor.
- AHMM3320UN/Music in East Asia and AHMM3321UN/Music in India & West Asia (aka Asian Music Hum), both Global Core courses, can count towards the 15 credit requirement for the minor.
- Masterpieces of Western Music (aka Music Hum) does NOT count towards the 15 credit requirement for the minor.
Concentration in Music
The Concentration in Music has begun to be phased out, starting in Fall '24. Students currently declared Concentrators in Music can either:
Continue on with the concentration.
-or-
If they have multiple concentrations across different departments or a major outside the Music department, can switch their Concentration in Music to the Minor in Music (so long as they keep one concentration or major outside of Music).
Please speak with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, if you intend on switching, or if you have any questions about the Concentration requirements.