This degree information is only applicable to students who have enrolled in the Bachelor of Music in Composition program for Autumn 2026 or earlier.
Composition Major Requirements and Sample Schedule
The Ohio State University Composition Studio is a collection of artist/scholars that pursue creativity, curiosity and community through the study of music composition. Our pedagogy centers around developing an understanding and control of the craft of composing by studying and applying both historical and current compositional trends and techniques through extensive listening, discussion, debate and diligent work.
Bachelor of Music in Composition
General Education (GE) Requirements
Every student at Ohio State will take General Education courses. Although these GE courses are meant to provide a broad baseline of learning, oftentimes the courses supplement the student’s major or program.
- GE Legacy (GEL) for students admitted before Autumn 2022: GE Requirements (GEL)
- GE New (GEN) for students admitted Autumn 2022 or after: GE Requirements (GEN)
Major Courses
Music 2201.xx – Applied Music, Principal (4 credits)1
Music 3403.xx – Applied Music, Principal (4 credits)1
1 Two 2-credit registrations required in different semesters
Music 2121 – Intensive Theory 1 (5 credits) OR 2221 – Music Theory 1 (3 credits)
Music 2222 – Theory 2 (3 credits)
Music 3421 – Theory 3 (3 credits)
Music 3422 – Theory 4 (3 credits)
Music 2224 – Aural Training 1 (1 credit)
Music 2225 – Aural Training 2 (1 credit)
Music 3424 – Aural Training 3 (1 credit)
Music 3425 – Aural Training 4 (1 credit)
Music 2244 – African-American Musical Traditions (3 credits)
Music 2249 – European Music Traditions (3 credits)
Music 3340 – Global Music Histories (3 credits)
Music 3364 – Musical Citizenship (3 credits)1
1 Can satisfy 3 credits in the citizenship thematic pathway
Music 4524 – Orchestration I (2 credits)
Music 4531 – Elementary Studies in Counterpoint (2 credits)
Music 5625 – Orchestration II (2 credits)
Music 2293 – Individual Studies: Composition (8 credits)1
Music 5635 – Composition II, lessons (4 credits)2
Music 4679.02 – Composition Senior Project, lessons (4 credits)2
Music 5637.01 – Composition with Electronic Media I (3 credits) OR 5636.01 – Introduction to Electronic Music Synthesis (3 credits)
Music 5623 – Theory and Analysis: 20th Century (2 credits)
Music 5630 – Composers Seminar (4 credits)2
1 Four 2-credit registrations required in different semesters
2 Two 2-credit registrations required in different semesters
Voice, Brass, Harp, Percussion, String, Woodwind Principals
Music 2261.01 – Keyboard Skills 1 (1 credit)
Music 2262.01 – Keyboard Skills 2 (1 credit)
Music 2263.01 – Keyboard Skills 3 (1 credit)
Music 2264.01 – Keyboard Skills 4 (1 credit)
Piano Principals
Music 2200.xx – Applied Secondary (4 credits) OR 226x.xx – Methods (4 credits)1
1 Four 1-credit registrations required. Can be a mix of 2200.xx and 226x.xx
Conducting
Music 2261.11 – Basic Conducting Lab-Instrumental OR Music 2261.12 – Basic Conducting Lab-Choral (1 credit)
Music 2203.xx – 2208.xx, 2215.xx, or 3312 (6 credits)1
1 Six registrations required in different semesters
Music 4000+ Electives (2 credits)
Sample Four-Year Schedule
Year 1
Autumn Semester
Music 2201.xx – Applied Music, Principal (2 credits)
Music 2221 – Music Theory 1 (3 credits) OR Music 2121 – Intensive Theory 1 (5 credits)
Music 2224 – Aural Training 1 (1 credit)
Music 2261.011 – Keyboard Skills 1 (1 credit)
Ensemble2 (1 credit)
ArtsSci 1100.11 – Arts and Sciences Survey: Music (1 credit)
Music 2293 – Individual Studies: Composition (2 credits)
Writing and Information Literacy GE (3 credits)
Total: 14–16 credit hours
Spring Semester
Music 2201.xx – Applied Music, Principal (2 credits)
Music 2222 – Theory 2 (3 credits)
Music 2225 – Aural Training 2 (1 credit)
Music 2261.021 – Keyboard Skills 2 (1 credit)
Ensemble2 (1 credit)
Musicology Core3 (3 credits)
Music 2293 – Individual Studies: Composition (2 credits)
GenEd 1201 – GE Launch Seminar (1 credit)
Foundational GE4 (3 credits)
Total: 17 credit hours
1 Piano principals take four semesters of Music 2200.xx – Applied Secondary or Music 226x.xx – Methods.
2 Choose one from Music 2203.xx – 2208.xx, Music 2215.xx, or Music 3312.
3 Choose from Music 2244 – African-American Musical Traditions (AU), 2249 – European Music Traditions (SP), 3340 – Global Music Histories (SP), or 3364 – Musical Citizenship (AU/SP) – 3364 can fulfill 3 credits in GE Citizenship Theme.
4 Choose one course from the GE list to fulfill a foundational GE requirement.
Year 2
Autumn Semester
Music 3403.xx – Applied Music, Principal (2 credits)
Music 3421 – Theory 3 (3 credits)
Music 3424 – Aural Training 3 (1 credit)
Music 2263.011 – Keyboard Skills 3 (1 credit)
Ensemble2 (1 credit)
Musicology Core3 (3 credits)
Music 2293 – Individual Studies: Composition (2 credits)
Foundational GE4 (3 credits)
Total: 16 credit hours
Spring Semester
Music 3403.xx – Applied Music, Principal (2 credits)
Music 3422 – Theory 4 (3 credits)
Music 3425 – Aural Training 4 (1 credit)
Music 2264.011 – Keyboard Skills 4 (1 credit)
Ensemble2 (1 credit)
Musicology Core3 (3 credits)
Music 2293 – Individual Studies: Composition (2 credits)
Foundational GE4 (3 credits)
Total: 16 credit hours
1 Piano principals take four semesters of Music 2200.xx or Music 226x.xx.
2 Choose one from Music 2203.xx – 2208.xx, Music 2215.xx, or Music 3312.
3 Choose from Music 2244 – African-American Musical Traditions (AU), 2249 – European Music Traditions (SP), 3340 – Global Music Histories (SP), or 3364 – Musical Citizenship (AU/SP) – 3364 can fulfill 3 credits in GE Citizenship Theme.
4 Choose one course from the GE list to fulfill a foundational GE requirement.
Year 3
Autumn Semester
Ensemble1 (1 credit)
Musicology Core2 (3 credits)
Music 2261. 11 – Basic Conducting Lab-Instrumental (1 credit) OR 2262.12 – Basic Conducting Lab-Choral (1 credit)
Music 4524 – Orchestration I (2 credits)
Music 5635 – Composition II, lessons (2 credits)
Music 5636.01 – Introduction to Electronic Music Synthesis (3 credits) OR 5637.01 – Composition with Electronic Media I (3 credits)
Foundational GE3 (3 credits)
Total: 15 credit hours
Spring Semester
Ensemble1 (1 credit)
Music 4531 – Elementary Studies in Counterpoint (2 credits)
Music 56254 – Orchestration II (2 credits) OR 56235 – Theory and Analysis: 20th Century (2 credits)
Music 5635 – Composition II, lessons (2 credits)
4000+ Music Elective6 (2 credits)
Natural Science Foundational GE (4-5 credits)
University Electives7 (2 credits)
Total: 15–16 credit hours
1 Choose one from Music 2203.xx – 2208.xx, Music 2215.xx, or Music 3312.
2 Choose from Music 2244 (AU), 2249 (SP), 3340 (SP), or 3364 (AU/SP) – 3364 can fulfill 3 credits in GE Citizenship Theme.
3 Choose one course from the GE list to fulfill a foundational GE requirement.
4 Music 5625 is offered every other year (typically in odd spring semesters). Check with composition faculty in junior year.
5 Music 5623 is offered every other year (typically in even spring semesters). Check with theory faculty in junior year.
6 2 credits of 4000-level or higher coursework in music are required for graduation.
7 As needed to reach 121 total hours for graduation.
Year 4
Autumn Semester
Music 4679.02 – Composition Senior Project, lessons (2 credits)
Music 5630 – Composers Seminar (2 credits)
Foundational GE1 (3 credits)
Citizenship GE Thematic Pathway2 (3 credits)
Second GE Thematic Pathway3 (4 credits)
GenEd 4001 – GE Reflection Seminar (1 credit)
Total: 15 credit hours
Spring Semester
Music 4679.02 – Composition Senior Project, lessons (2 credits)
Music 56254 – Orchestration II (2 credits) OR 56235 – Theory and Analysis: 20th Century (2 credits)
Music 5630 – Composers Seminar (2 credits)
University Electives6 (7 credits)
Total: 13 credit hours
1 Choose one course from the GE list to fulfill a foundational GE requirement.
2 Music 3364 can fulfill 3 credits in GE Citizenship Theme, a second 3-credit course is needed to complete the requirement.
3 Choose one 4-credit course or two 3-credit courses from one thematic pathway.
4 Music 5625 is offered every other year (typically in odd spring semesters). Check with composition faculty in junior year.
5 Music 5623 is offered every other year (typically in even spring semesters). Check with theory faculty in junior year.
6 As needed to reach 121 total hours for graduation.