Bachelor of Music in Music Composition

at Susquehanna University USA

Fall in love with language all over again as a French major or minor at Susquehanna.

Courses are taught in French so you’ll become proficient and comfortable speaking and writing as you earn your degree.

You’ll sharpen those skills through fun activities and clubs on campus and by studying abroad through our Global Opportunities program.

Majors can study in semester-long programs in a French city, while minors can also choose from shorter programs restoring a medieval castle or learning language and culture in the French countryside. Adding one of our interdisciplinary minors like applied linguistics and international studies help you gain a better understanding of important topics in today’s world.

Art is the representational record of history, and we invite you to take a closer look.

Piece together visual clues in images, buildings and objects to shed light on the human experience past and present with faculty dedicated to your intellectual development.

You’ll debate art theory and criticism, while developing keen skills in visual analysis — an invaluable tool in our increasingly image-driven world.

Travel to major museums in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City, or visit our own Lore Degenstein Gallery to carefully study works of art from various times and places.

Popular classes embrace the interdisciplinary nature of art history, examining art through the lenses of diversity, gender and politics. Art history also pairs well with a major or minor in anything from anthropology to communications to foreign language.

History may take inspiration from the past, but here you do history.

Scour primary sources. Excel at organizing, scheduling and keeping notes. Develop a research project that will lead to graduate school or a promising career right after graduation. Travel to conferences to present your work. Explore local historical sites. Work both with antique sources and the latest digital technology.

Debate issues from various perspectives. Find your place in the world while acquiring 21st-century skills relevant to many careers.

History majors are preparing to:

• Practice law
• Direct financial institution
• Work in higher education
• Teach
• Pursue graduate degrees
• Work in museums
• Run a company

Contemplate the complex moral and ethical issues faced by humanity — existence, meaning, values, truth and more.

Open your eyes to ideas you didn’t even know existed. We take on the complex issues that are rarely discussed.

You’ll be well-versed in classical philosophical thinking on age-old questions, like does God exist? We’re one of few universities to connect that kind of thinking to contemporary issues. We were the first university in the nation with a philosophy class on HBO’s “The Wire.” You’ll also study love and desire, environmental ethics, hip hop and other contemporary topics from a philosophical standpoint.

Even more than thought-provoking classes and great job opportunities, studying philosophy will help you understand yourself and lead a full and satisfying life.

Prepare to mentor and train young musicians while continuing to develop your own skills as a musician.

From your very first year, you’ll get hands-on experience teaching one-on-one or in small groups in preK-12 classrooms.

As state requirements for teachers intensify, we’re committed to preparing you for certification in four years, including your student teaching semester.

Our rigorous curriculum will broaden your musical comfort zone and help you grow as a musician, performer and creative thinker. Mentoring from professors who are experienced educators and active performers will build your confidence.

In our program, you’ll study politics, government and public policy in the U.S. and abroad and why nations do — or do not — get along.

You’ll acquire the tools to question, analyze systems and institutions, and develop your own views about the best policies, programs and organizational rules for the world you envision.

Debates, simulations, trips to important political sites and engaged classroom conversation will encourage you to think more deeply about political issues of the day.

Prepare for a variety of careers

A political science degree gives you skills to follow many paths.

Some of our majors continue their political interests through public service. Recent graduates work for the New York City Office of Management and Budget, Maine House of Representatives, Boston City Council campaign, PA House of Representatives, PA Senate, PA Governor’s Office, New Jersey Assembly and the Snyder County PA Commissioner.

Others work for non-profit corporations in education, human services and health care as lobbyists, data analysts, professors, grant writers and more. Graduates also pursue jobs in insurance, finance, publishing and human resources.

Our students are also ready to attend law school or pursue graduate degrees in public policy, public administration or doctorates in political science.

Take center stage at Susquehanna and beyond in our theatre performance major.

You’ll grow artistically as an actor. From critical analysis of dramatic literature, to authentic and powerful acting on stage, you’ll develop in your craft beyond what you thought possible.

Explore characters that force you out of your comfort zone and learn something about yourself in the process. You’ll focus on the tools you need to improve your acting. Our intensive acting classes are supported by coursework in theatre history and dramatic theory, enhancing your performances. Adding one of our interdisciplinary minors, like arts administration and women’s studies, help you gain a better understanding of important topics in today’s world.

In ways more broad-based than fine arts degrees, you’ll gain a better understanding of human communication and culture.

Get hands-on experience in a wide range of production and design disciplines to refine your interests, hone your skills, and prepare you for a lifetime of creativity in theatre.

You’ll work like the professionals do, and you will assume responsibilities that stand out on resumes.

Students just like you run most of the production operations here. Our productions couldn’t exist without student dedication.

Our hands-on production labs are small and focused on your development. And our productions rival any conservancy program in scope and quality.

Our students often begin performing on the main stage in their first semester.

• There are four mainstage productions each year, including a student-directed show and a major musical
• You’ll collaborate with the Department of Music on their annual opera program
• We offer a second stage season-experimental, edgy and fueled by students’ artistic desires

The photography major is focused on the development of students as artists and practicing professionals. In addition to mastering the camera and associated technology, students will develop a distinctive personal style through their experiences inside and outside the classroom. Majors are well versed in historical and contemporary art, and are given numerous opportunities to exhibit their work, travel, and receive feedback from faculty and peers. Prior to graduation, students will professionally mount a public exhibition of the work in The Lore Degenstein Gallery, where they will gain experience in a professional gallery with museum standards.

Majors enjoy 24-hour electronic card-swipe access to all art facilities and state of the art computer labs, open only to departmental students. The digital photography classroom is equipped with high-end professional studio lighting, seamless cloth and paper backgrounds, and dedicated lecture, critique, and production spaces.

Required independent coursework and a cross-disciplinary approach allow students to investigate and experiment with multiple ways of creating art. Students are encouraged and given ample time to develop a distinctive and personal visual style.

From your first semester, you can take advantage of opportunities to perform in our many choral, instrumental, opera and chamber music ensembles. You can perform in our weekly department recitals, and you’ll give a solo recital in both your junior and senior years. With no graduate students, the focus and attention is on you!

Off stage, you’ll get a thorough education in music theory and history, including repertoire and pedagogy classes for your instrument from professors who are experienced educators and active performers.

Enjoy bright, airy rehearsal and performance facilities — even our practice rooms have windows!

Our finest venue for live music, Stretansky Concert Hall, seats 320 and is used for everything from student recitals to fully staged opera performances with orchestra. The acoustics are amazing.