At Case Western Reserve University, you don’t have to choose between the lab and the practice room. Many undergraduate students pursue a double major (two majors under one degree) or a dual degree (two distinct diplomas), taking advantage of CWRU’s national reputation for cutting-edge research and the Joint Music Program’s excellence in performance with faculty from the Cleveland Institute of Music.
With strengths across the humanities, sciences, and arts, CWRU fosters a rich environment where ideas intersect. This balance supports students interested in interdisciplinary study—from brain and music research, sound technology, and biomedical engineering, to arts and medicine and music cognition. The university also invests in initiatives supported by the Baker-Nord Institute for the Humanities, which expand opportunities to connect the arts, humanities, and sciences in innovative ways. Whether in rehearsal, the classroom, or the research lab, students find faculty mentors who excel in both scholarship and teaching, encouraging them to bring diverse interests together in meaningful ways.
Pathways to Combine Music with Other Fields
Double Major
Pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a double major in music and another field within the College of Arts and Sciences. You can combine music with any other BA program, such as psychology, English, or biology. While no additional credit hours are required beyond those for the BA degree, you may need extra credits to fulfill the requirements of both majors. You will receive a single diploma, and both majors will be noted on your diploma and transcript.
Dual Degree
For students interested in studying both Music (BA) and a field requiring a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, the BA/BS dual degree option is ideal. This path involves completing all requirements for both degrees—including major-specific and general education requirements—plus an additional 30 credits beyond what’s required for either degree. Common dual degree combinations include music and engineering. With careful planning and guidance from academic advisors, students can often complete dual degrees within four years.
Secondary Major
Students pursuing a BS degree in another field may choose music as a secondary major. This option requires completing the general education and major requirements for the BS degree, as well as the core music major requirements. You will receive a diploma for the BS degree, with music noted as a secondary major on both your diploma and transcript.
Recent Combined Degrees
Undergraduate music students at CWRU often combine their studies with degree programs across the university. Recent combinations have included:
- Accounting
- Anthropology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Business Management
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Science
- Economics
- Experimental Humanities
- English
- History
- International Studies
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Modern Languages and Literatures
- Music
- Nutrition
- Physics
- Political Science
- Pre-Health
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Theatre