Click on each degree name for four-year plan bachelor's degree worksheets. These worksheets are provided as a resource tool for advising and registration, and they are in no way binding. The undergraduate worksheets are based on the 2014-2015 university catalog; if you are current student who would like a copy of the worksheets from a different catalog year, please see Rachel Lim or Rene' Golden to obtain a photocopy of the worksheet in your file. Please also consult the information available for the university catalog for the year in which you enrolled at Samford or changed to your current degree program, which can be accessed on the Student Records website.
Bachelor of Music (B.M.)
Piano Performance, with emphasis in Piano Pedagogy
Instrumental Performance (strings, woodwinds, brass or percussion)
Music and Worship
Bachelor of Music Education in Music
Instrumental Music Education
Vocal/Choral Music Education
Bachelor of Arts in Music
Bachelor of Science with a major in Music
For students planning to attend medical school who have strong interest and skills in music.
COURSE LOAD CREDIT
Guidelines for Awarding Credit in the School of the Arts
The following guidance indicates how the University Credit Hour Policy is applied to the more
commonly used credit situations in the School of the Arts. This includes the standard 15-week format, 7
or 10-week format, non-classroom based learning experiences, and online course delivery experiences.
The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) guidelines for
awarding credit are used as a basis for this document.
- Standard 16-Week (15 week semester/1 week final exams)
- Lecture/Seminar Classes: A unit of credit equates to 3 of student work per week (1 hour in-class
or direct instruction plus a minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class). Total term (or semester) hours are
calculated by multiplying the weekly hours by 16.
- Studio Classes: A unit of credit equates to 6 hours of student work per week (2 hours in-class or direct
instruction plus a minimum of 4 hours of out-of-class). Total term (or semester) hours are calculated by
multiplying the weekly hours by 16.
- Laboratory/Experiential Classes: A unit of credit equates to 4 hours of student work per week (1-3 hours
in-class or direct instruction in a laboratory/experiential setting plus a minimum of 1-3 hours of out-of-
class). The range allows for discipline and student level differentiation. Instructors of record for a course
are encouraged to state the expected out-of-class student work in their course syllabus.
- Ensemble/Production Classes: A unit of credit equates to 6 hours of student work per week (3-6 hours
in-class or direct instruction plus a minimum of 1 hour of out-of-class). Total term (or semester) hours are
calculated by multiplying the weekly hours by 16 but may happen in irregular scheduling. 0 Credit may
be awarded for Ensemble or Production Classes beyond degree requirements.
- Applied (Private) Studio: A unit of credit equates to a minimum of 3 hours of student practice per
week, plus the necessary individual instruction. 1 credit receives a 30-minute private lesson, 2 credits
receive a 45-minute private lesson, and 3 credits receive an hour private lesson. All applied students also
participate in weekly performance seminars; students studying a secondary area are encouraged, but not
required, to attend seminars for that area. Total term (or semester) hours are calculated by multiplying the
weekly hours by 16.
Courses Meeting Fewer than 15 weeks
The credit hours awarded for a given course or academic experience must be reasonably equivalent to the
standard of 3 hours combined direct instruction and student work per credit hour for a 15-week term.
EXAMPLE. A 3-credit course should require the equivalent of 9 hours of combined direct instruction
and student work per week for the equivalent of a 15-week term. At Samford University, we define
the “course hour” as equal to 50 minutes, which would give a baseline of 112.5 total hours for the
course example. These hours may consist of a variety of course activities including: face-to-face course
meetings, time to read course materials/texts, virtual course meetings, experiential learning activities such
as service learning projects or research with faculty, and synthesis/reflection time.
Independent Study and Experiential Learning Courses
Credit hours applicable for a given course or academic experience must be reasonably equivalent to the
standard of 3 hours combined direct instruction and student work per week, per credit hour for a 15-
week term. Specific independent study and experiential guidelines and forms are provided at the school/
college from which the course is being taken. Guidelines at the college/school may include the number of
independent studies (or credits) and experiential learning opportunities permitted per student for a single
degree, required student GPA, and which course numbers are assigned as independent study.