A program that focuses on the study of the principles of sound manipulation as applied to the creation of music, and the techniques of creating and arranging music. Includes instruction in aural theory, melody, counterpoint, complex harmony, modulation, chromatics, improvisation, progressions, musical writing, instrumentation, orchestration, electronic and computer applications, studies of specific musical styles, and development of original creative ability.
How to use this list
These institutions reported at least one first-major completion in this field in the connected reporting years ending 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020. This shows historical award activity, not a complete list of available programs or an assurance that a course is accepting applications.
Compare the degree level, curriculum, teaching language and costs on the institution’s current official website. Related subjects may use different CIP codes.
Learn how to research a field of study →
Sources: NCES CIP 2020 classification and C2023_A.zip, C2024_A.zip, C2025_A.zip, C2020_A.zip, C2021_A.zip, C2022_A.zip, C2024_A.zip.
Connected Music Theory and Composition award observations
Each row describes one ending year and award level for CIP 50.0904. Institution counts overlap across levels and years. Award counts are historical first-major awards, not unique people, available places, programme quality or a graduation rate.
| Year ending | Award level | Reporting institutions | Positive awards |
|---|
| 2025 | Certificate 1–2 years | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | Associate degree | 8 | 112 |
| 2025 | Certificate 2–4 years | 2 | 9 |
| 2025 | Bachelor degree | 116 | 719 |
| 2025 | Postbaccalaureate certificate | 7 | 11 |
| 2025 | Master degree | 55 | 332 |
| 2025 | Post-master certificate | 3 | 5 |
| 2025 | Doctorate — research | 23 | 63 |
| 2025 | Doctorate — professional practice | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | Doctorate — other | 2 | 2 |
| 2025 | Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year | 4 | 27 |
| 2024 | Associate degree | 7 | 133 |
| 2024 | Certificate 2–4 years | 2 | 6 |
| 2024 | Bachelor degree | 117 | 714 |
| 2024 | Postbaccalaureate certificate | 6 | 11 |
| 2024 | Master degree | 53 | 296 |
| 2024 | Post-master certificate | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | Doctorate — research | 24 | 75 |
| 2024 | Doctorate — professional practice | 1 | 4 |
| 2024 | Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year | 7 | 27 |
| 2023 | Certificate 1–2 years | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | Associate degree | 6 | 89 |
| 2023 | Certificate 2–4 years | 1 | 5 |
| 2023 | Bachelor degree | 121 | 634 |
| 2023 | Postbaccalaureate certificate | 2 | 3 |
| 2023 | Master degree | 53 | 342 |
| 2023 | Post-master certificate | 3 | 7 |
| 2023 | Doctorate — research | 22 | 63 |
| 2023 | Doctorate — professional practice | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | Doctorate — other | 1 | 2 |
| 2023 | Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year | 3 | 14 |
| 2022 | Certificate 1–2 years | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | Associate degree | 7 | 98 |
| 2022 | Certificate 2–4 years | 1 | 10 |
| 2022 | Bachelor degree | 126 | 667 |
| 2022 | Postbaccalaureate certificate | 3 | 6 |
| 2022 | Master degree | 58 | 278 |
| 2022 | Post-master certificate | 4 | 11 |
| 2022 | Doctorate — research | 21 | 55 |
| 2022 | Doctorate — professional practice | 1 | 5 |
| 2022 | Doctorate — other | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year | 4 | 9 |
| 2021 | Certificate 1–2 years | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | Associate degree | 6 | 129 |
| 2021 | Certificate 2–4 years | 2 | 14 |
| 2021 | Bachelor degree | 114 | 604 |
| 2021 | Postbaccalaureate certificate | 3 | 4 |
| 2021 | Master degree | 58 | 294 |
| 2021 | Post-master certificate | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | Doctorate — research | 23 | 62 |
| 2021 | Doctorate — professional practice | 1 | 4 |
| 2021 | Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year | 3 | 9 |
| 2020 | Certificate 1–2 years | 3 | 8 |
| 2020 | Associate degree | 6 | 125 |
| 2020 | Certificate 2–4 years | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | Bachelor degree | 125 | 542 |
| 2020 | Postbaccalaureate certificate | 3 | 3 |
| 2020 | Master degree | 55 | 307 |
| 2020 | Post-master certificate | 3 | 7 |
| 2020 | Doctorate — research | 20 | 60 |
| 2020 | Doctorate — professional practice | 1 | 2 |
| 2020 | Doctorate — other | 1 | 2 |
| 2020 | Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year | 2 | 4 |
A year ending 2025 describes July 2024–June 2025. Do not add different years to estimate an entering class or current enrolment. Follow an institution's field link below to inspect the exact records.
These counts cover exact institution-ID matches to our connected directory, rather than a complete national total. Historical providers outside that population remain in the original source evidence and are not assigned invented matches. Read the population and archive rules →
Research the exact programme behind this field
CIP 50.0904 is a reporting classification. The official definition above explains its scope, while a university may use a different programme title. Related fields in classification family 50 can involve different curricula and award levels.
On the current institution website, record the exact degree title, campus, entry route, teaching language, curriculum and cycle. Compare those details with the classification definition before assuming that two similarly named degrees cover the same subject. For regulated professions, check the relevant licensing or recognition body's current requirements separately.
A positive award observation establishes historical activity in this classification. It does not confirm a current application opening, professional recognition, a specific delivery format or career outcome.
Compare two field definitions and historical records → · Use CIP codes to research fields → · Build your field research questions →
CA · Four-year
San Francisco, CA · Private for-profit
Associate degree: 4 first-major awards · year ending 2024.
Bachelor degree: 14 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Master degree: 8 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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NY · Four-year
New York, NY · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2022.
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TX · Two-year
Amarillo, TX · Public
Associate degree: 3 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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MD · Two-year
Arnold, MD · Public
Associate degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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AZ · Four-year
Glendale, AZ · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 2 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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AZ · Four-year
Tempe, AZ · Public
Bachelor degree: 5 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Master degree: 2 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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IL · Four-year
Rock Island, IL · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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CA · Four-year
Azusa, CA · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2024.
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OH · Four-year
Berea, OH · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 5 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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IN · Four-year
Muncie, IN · Public
Bachelor degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2024.
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TX · Four-year
Waco, TX · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Master degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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TN · Four-year
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 5 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Master degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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VT · Four-year
Bennington, VT · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 2 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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MA · Four-year
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
Certificate 2–4 years: 8 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Bachelor degree: 195 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Postbaccalaureate certificate: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Master degree: 23 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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CA · Four-year
La Mirada, CA · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 2 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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SC · Four-year
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 2 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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ID · Four-year
Boise, ID · Public
Bachelor degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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MA · Four-year
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 6 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Master degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Doctorate — research: 4 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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OH · Four-year
Bowling Green, OH · Public
Bachelor degree: 4 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Master degree: 7 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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IL · Four-year
Peoria, IL · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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MA · Four-year
Waltham, MA · Private nonprofit
Master degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Doctorate — research: 2 first-major awards · year ending 2024.
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UT · Four-year
Provo, UT · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 4 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Master degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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OR · Four-year
Eugene, OR · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 1 first-major awards · year ending 2021.
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IN · Four-year
Indianapolis, IN · Private nonprofit
Bachelor degree: 4 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
Master degree: 5 first-major awards · year ending 2025.
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