Academic Information and Policies

Degree Programs and Requirements:

1. The Bachelor of Music in Performance
2. The Bachelor of Music in Composition
3. The Bachelor of Music Education
4. The Bachelor of Music in Music History-Literature
5. The Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in an Outside Field
6. The Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in a Music-Related Field
7. The Bachelor of Arts in Music
8. Music Minor

Course requirements for each of these degree programs can be found in the Wheaton College Catalog. When a degree program is selected, all requirements must be met prior to graduation. Normally, students complete the catalog requirements of the academic year in which they entered Wheaton College; if choosing a catalog from another academic year, it must be a later one.

Requests for exceptions to degree requirements should be addressed to your adviser and then to the Director of the Conservatory. Requests must be submitted on the Departmental Recommendation Regarding Graduation Requirement form available in the Conservatory of Music Office.

Academic Advisers
Freshman students will be assigned an academic adviser from the music faculty who will guide them through their first year at Wheaton. Once they officially declare a major during the spring semester of the freshman year, a permanent adviser will be assigned.

Declaration of Majors
During their Spring advising appointment, freshmen should: 1) Complete a Freshmen Planning Questionnaire; 2) Officially declare their major on a Major Change Application; 3) Select courses for Sophomore year registration.

Students should take music courses in sequence as much as possible, since many of the courses in the major are offered with prerequisite(s). Private lessons requirements at the 100- and 200-level should normally be completed by the end of the sophomore year.

Changing Majors and Degrees
Following freshmen year, students can change their major by completing the Major Change Application form with the approval of their adviser.

Changing Principal Instrument
Bachelor of Music Performance majors who want to change their principal instrument (including voice), need to request the approval of their current private lesson teacher, consult with their adviser and arrange for an audition on the proposed instrument.

Changing to Music Education
Bachelor of Music majors who want to change to the Bachelor of Music Education degree need to consult with their adviser and request the approval of the Music Education faculty chair.

Changing from a Bachelor of Arts to Bachelor of Music or Music Education
To change from any liberal arts degree to a Bachelor of Music or Music Education degree, students need to inquire with the Conservatory of Music Office Coordinator. Admission to a music degree program is based on a successful audition or portfolio of compositions or scholarly work. Both the Request for Change of Program and the Major Change Application forms need to be submitted to the Conservatory Office.

Changing from Bachelor of Music or Music Education Degree to Bachelor of Arts
To change from the a Bachelor of Music or Music Education degree to any liberal arts degree requires a minimum of two semesters in a music degree. Students need to inquire with the Conservatory of Music Office Coordinator. Both the Request for Change of Program and the Major Change Application forms need to be submitted to the new department.