Dual-Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Music and Other Academic Subjects
May 12, 2025
Hi Sasha,
I know that you and your parents have been eager to get some guidance from me about where you might go to college. I’ve done some thinking and before recommending conservatory of music choices right off the bat, I would like to address the issue of the value of your education on a broader level.
In United States, there is no organized pathway for singers to “make it” in their careers. Though there are many fine local and larger groups one can join, as a choral singer for instance, it rarely pays the rent. Trying to make it on Broadway is chaotic with no assurances that you won’t hurt your voice by basically singing too loud and trying too hard.
I have too often seen young people struggle after achieving —at high cost – a lovely bachelors of music in singing. They step out into the real world and ask, “What’s next?” without getting a clear answer. There may be a strategy for avoiding that problem for you.
I have written two blog posts specifically about the problem of succeeding as a singer in this country which I highly recommend you read before we look further. They are:
BLOG POSTS:
Now that you’ve read these posts, let’s come up with a great plan for protecting yourself against unemployment eventually by preserving the fullest education possible for yourself.
When I went to school a thousand years ago, I made a determination that I wanted to get a full education in both music and in a traditional liberal arts subject, so that I could cover my bets and get a good job some day!
I chose the double bachelors degree program as my model. You typically attend for five years of undergraduate college and, with a lot of work, get a bachelors of music in singing and a bachelors of arts or bachelor of science in another subject. Ideally, you should be truly interested in both subjects and be willing to work a job ultimately in either of these subjects. I ended up going to college at Oberlin Conservatory of Music AND Oberlin College. After five years, I obtained a bachelor of music in voice performance and a bachelor of arts in English.
Was it worth it? Has this lead to anything? YES!
I have used my bachelors of English almost as much as I have used my music degree. I write all my own program notes. I have taught courses in music literature. I’ve given lecture recitals and written scholarly journal papers in music topics. I’ve been blogging for 11 years, something that proved indispensable during the COVID-19 pandemic when I suddenly had to teach online by providing extensive written/electronic resources to keep my studio afloat (See: Student Roster with Remote Teaching Guide).
It’s been a very handy skill knowing how to write: I do a lot more than just sing. For instance, I’ve been teaching singing at the University of Pennsylvania (NOT a conservatory of music) for 25 years quite successfully. Something must have gone right in my education!
Let’s explore those universities and colleges who offer a double degree in academics and performance voice. I confess, I posed my question about double degree programs to ChatGPT. This is just a start; you would have to do your own research, of course. But, let’s start with my favorite: Oberlin.
CHAT GPT
Oberlin College and Conservatory offers a distinctive Double Degree Program that allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the College of Arts & Sciences and a Bachelor of Music (BM) from the Conservatory of Music. This program enables students to combine rigorous liberal arts education with world-class preprofessional music training, all within a single campus environment.
Key Features of the Double Degree Program
• Dual Degrees in Five Years: Students typically complete both degrees in five years or fewer.
• Integrated Campus Experience: Both divisions share the same campus, providing a cohesive community where students can engage in both academic and musical pursuits.
• Flexible Application Process: Applicants must apply separately to each division, with distinct deadlines and requirements for the College and the Conservatory.
• Financial Aid: Students receive a unified financial aid package that covers the duration of the program, typically five years.
• Curricular Requirements: The program requires a minimum of 214 combined credits, including 110 from the Conservatory and 88 from the College, along with completion of a major in each division.
Interdisciplinary Opportunities
Oberlin encourages students to explore interdisciplinary studies, with examples of double-degree combinations such as:
• Piano performance and history
• Viola and comparative literature
• Law and society and jazz saxophone performance
• Neuroscience and piano
• Composition and computer science
• Self-designed major in jazz and classical trumpet and economics
• Violin and environmental studies
• Trumpet and computer science
This program is ideal for students seeking a comprehensive education that bridges the arts and sciences, preparing them for diverse career paths.
Below is CHAT GPT’s answers when I asked about ALL colleges and universities in this country which offer a double degree program. It may not be a comprehensive list, but it sure is a good start. I see a lot of variety here both geographically and in terms of the intensity of the academics. You may not be ready to go to Harvard, for instance, but you might like Bard College. Back when I was considering colleges, I was considering Northwestern University, Boston University, Eastman school of music (that’s not listed here, but it’s worth looking into), and Tufts.
CHAT GPT
Several universities in the United States offer dual bachelor’s degree programs that allow students to pursue both a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in a liberal arts discipline. These programs are designed for students who wish to combine intensive music training with a comprehensive liberal arts education.
Notable Dual-Degree Programs in Music and Liberal Arts
1. Harvard University & New England Conservatory (NEC)
• Program: Five-year dual-degree program.
• Degrees Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) from Harvard and Master of Music (M.M.) from NEC.
• Structure: Students spend four years completing their A.B. at Harvard while taking private lessons and preparatory classes at NEC. The fifth year is devoted entirely to graduate-level studies at NEC.
• Admission: Highly selective; students must be admitted independently to both Harvard and NEC.
• More Information: NEC Undergraduate Programs
2. Harvard University & Berklee College of Music
• Program: Four-year joint studies program.
• Degrees Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or Bachelor of Science (S.B.) from Harvard.
• Structure: Students pursue a liberal arts degree at Harvard while engaging in coursework at Berklee, focusing on contemporary music education.
• Admission: Students must gain admission to both Harvard and Berklee.
• More Information: Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies Program
3. Bard College Conservatory of Music
• Program: Five-year double-degree program.
• Degrees Awarded: Bachelor of Music (B.M.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in a non-music field.
• Structure: All conservatory undergraduates are required to pursue both degrees, integrating rigorous music training with a liberal arts education.
• More Information: Bard Conservatory Undergraduate Program
4. Oberlin College and Conservatory
• Program: Five-year double-degree program.
• Degrees Awarded: Bachelor of Music (B.M.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).
• Structure: Students are fully integrated into both the Conservatory and the College of Arts and Sciences, allowing for a comprehensive education in both music and liberal arts.
• More Information: Oberlin Conservatory
5. Lawrence University
• Program: Five-year dual-degree program.
• Degrees Awarded: Bachelor of Music (B.M.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).
• Structure: Students pursue intensive music studies alongside a liberal arts curriculum, with opportunities to engage in various ensembles and interdisciplinary studies.
• More Information: Lawrence University Conservatory of Music
6. The New School (Eugene Lang College & School of Jazz and Contemporary Music)
• Program: Five-year BA/BFA dual-degree program.
• Degrees Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Jazz and Contemporary Music.
• Structure: Students complete 90 credits in liberal arts and 90 credits in professional music study, preparing them for careers in music or further graduate studies.
• More Information: The New School BA/BFA Program
7. Boston University
• Program: Dual Degree Program.
• Degrees Awarded: Two bachelor’s degrees from separate schools or colleges within BU.
• Structure: Students can pursue a Bachelor of Music from the College of Fine Arts alongside a Bachelor of Arts or Science from another BU college, such as the College of Arts & Sciences.
• More Information: BU Dual Degree Program
8. Northwestern University (Bienen School of Music)
• Program: Dual-degree program.
• Degrees Awarded: Bachelor of Music (B.M.) and a second bachelor’s degree in another field.
• Structure: Typically completed in five years, students apply and are admitted to both the Bienen School of Music and another Northwestern school, such as the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.
• More Information: Northwestern Bienen School Dual Degrees
9. Tufts University & New England Conservatory (NEC)
• Program: Five-year dual-degree program.
• Degrees Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) from Tufts and Bachelor of Music (B.M.) from NEC.
• Structure: Students engage in intensive studies in liberal arts at Tufts and comprehensive music training at NEC, including weekly lessons and ensemble participation.
• More Information: NEC Undergraduate Programs
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These programs are highly competitive and require careful planning due to the rigorous nature of completing two degrees. Prospective students should consult the admissions offices of the respective institutions for detailed information on application procedures, audition requirements, and curriculum planning.
Good luck, Sasha! Why don’t you get started exploring your options. We can talk further, once you’ve made up your mind what kind of educational institution you wish to attend.
Best,
Bonnie 🙂