Established in 1999, the Department of Performance Studies is the first department at Texas A&M solely devoted to the arts. Offering a B.A. degree in Music, a B.A. degree in Theatre Arts, as well as minors in both disciplines, the department encourages student-faculty interaction in research and creative activity. A significant number of courses listed in the University Core Curriculum Visual and Performing Arts requirements are available through the Department of Performance Studies.

The Bachelor of Arts in Music offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of music with courses in composition, ethnomusicology, music history, music theory, music technology and performance, as well as classes relating to other disciplines including anthropology, journalism, philosophy, physics, theater arts and visual arts. Course work explores a wide range of musics--Western and non-Western; past and present; transmitted by oral, written, and electronic means. Such courses examine sonic structures, notational systems (if used), styles of performance and investigate the relationship of music to other arts.

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts provides a broad-based, liberal education. In addition to the University and College of Liberal Arts core courses, the theatre student receives training in the classroom and in an integrated theatre production program. The curriculum prepares one for professional theatre training programs and/or graduate work in the liberal and fine arts, teaching theatre in the secondary school, and a variety of jobs in the professional arena or the world of business and industry.