Music Education

Major Requirements

Major: Music Education - Instrumental Music Track

Degree Type: B.Mus
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 143

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
  6. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  7. Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Category C: Communication12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning 3
Category S: Science and Technology 10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts 6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences 6
Category W: Wellness 2
Category D: Cultural Diversity *†
Category G: Global Perspectives *†
Total Credits39
*

Courses for category D & G are satisfied by completing D & G designated courses in another general education category.

General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

Major Requirements

Music Core Requirements for Education Majors
PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology3
HDFS 230Life Span Development3
or PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology
MUSC 103Introduction to Music History3
MUSC 130Theory and Analysis I3
MUSC 131Theory and Analysis II3
MUSC 132Ear Training & Sight Singing I1
MUSC 133Ear Training & Sight Singing II1
MUSC 189Skills for Academic Success 11
MUSC 230Theory and Analysis III3
MUSC 231Theory and Analysis IV3
MUSC 232Ear Training & Sight Singing III1
MUSC 233Ear Training & Sight Singing IV1
MUSC 331Instrumental Arranging2
MUSC 340Music History I3
MUSC 341Music History II3
MUSC 349Vocal Methods & Pedagogy I2
MUSC 351Instrumental Conducting & Literature2
MUSC 352Choral Conducting & Literature2
MUSC 353Woodwind Methods I2
MUSC 354Woodwind Methods II2
MUSC 355Brass Methods2
MUSC 357Marching Band Methods and Techniques1
MUSC 358Jazz Methods1
MUSC 359Percussion Methods2
MUSC 380Recital1
or MUSC 480 Recital
MUSC 385Music Entrepreneurship3
MUSC 481Instrumental Music Methods2
MUSC 482Choral Music Methods2
MUSC 483Elementary Music Methods2
Professional Education Requirements
EDUC 321Introduction to Teaching3
EDUC 322Educational Psychology3
EDUC 451Instructional Planning, Methods and Assessment3
EDUC 485Student Teaching Seminar1
EDUC 486Classroom Management for Diverse Learners3
EDUC 487Student Teaching9
EDUC 488Applied Student Teaching3
EDUC 489Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds3
Instrumental Track Requirements
Major Instrumental Ensemble: Must enroll in MUSC 303 Wind Symphony for 5 semesters and MUSC 111 Marching Band for 2 semesters. 7
Wind Symphony
University Symphony Orchestra (for string majors)
Marching Band
Minor Ensembles: Must enroll in 2 different semesters as approved by adviser. May be selected from the following ensembles:2
University Band
Jazz Ensemble
Brass Chamber Ensemble
Woodwind Chamber Ensemble
String Chamber Ensemble
Mixed Chamber Ensemble
Jazz Combo
Major Choral Ensemble (Must enroll for 2 different semesters as approved by adviser):2
Cantemus
Statesmen of NDSU
University Chamber Singers
Applied Voice:
Applied Piano
Applied Major Instrument: All students enrolled in applied instruction must participate in a major ensemble specific to their area. Two semesters each of 100 level, 200 level, and 300 level. One semester of 400 level. Select from the following:7
Applied Wind Instruments
Applied Percussion Instruments
Applied Upper Strings
Applied Lower Strings
Applied Guitar
Applied Piano: Private (MUSC 165) or class (MUSC 160; MUSC 161; MUSC 260; MUSC 261) 4
Applied Piano (up to 2 semesters with permission)
Piano Class I
Piano Class II
Piano Class III
Piano Class IV
Total Credits110
1

 MUSC 189 is only required for first-time, first-year students--A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take MUSC 189.

Proficiency Waiver

  • Piano proficiency exam must be completed before student teaching.
  • Piano credit requirements listed may be waived in whole or in part for successful completion of the piano proficiency.
  • Piano majors may fulfill this requirement by accompanying or performance on a secondary medium according to the discretion of the student's applied instructor/adviser.

Degree Requirements and Notes

  • Music majors may not declare a music minor.
  • A grade of 'C' or better is required in all MUSC and EDUC prefix courses.
  • To be placed in student teaching, a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 GPA in professional education coursework is required.
  • To exit the program, a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 GPA in professional education coursework is required as well as completing the Praxis Subject test and the Principles of Learning and Teaching test.
  • See School of Education for admission requirements.

Major Requirements

Major: Music Education - Vocal Music Track

Degree Type: B.Mus
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 151

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
  6. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  7. Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Category C: Communication12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning 3
Category S: Science and Technology 10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts 6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences 6
Category W: Wellness 2
Category D: Cultural Diversity *†
Category G: Global Perspectives *†
Total Credits39
*

Courses for category D & G are satisfied by completing D & G designated courses in another general education category.

General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

Major Requirements

Music Core Requirements for Education Majors
PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology3
HDFS 230Life Span Development3
or PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology
MUSC 103Introduction to Music History3
MUSC 130Theory and Analysis I3
MUSC 131Theory and Analysis II3
MUSC 132Ear Training & Sight Singing I1
MUSC 133Ear Training & Sight Singing II1
MUSC 174Pronunciation for Singers I1
MUSC 175Pronunciation for Singers II1
MUSC 189Skills for Academic Success 11
MUSC 230Theory and Analysis III3
MUSC 231Theory and Analysis IV3
MUSC 232Ear Training & Sight Singing III1
MUSC 233Ear Training & Sight Singing IV1
MUSC 340Music History I3
MUSC 341Music History II3
MUSC 349Vocal Methods & Pedagogy I2
MUSC 351Instrumental Conducting & Literature2
MUSC 352Choral Conducting & Literature2
MUSC 353Woodwind Methods I2
MUSC 355Brass Methods2
MUSC 359Percussion Methods2
MUSC 380Recital1
or MUSC 480 Recital
MUSC 385Music Entrepreneurship3
MUSC 481Instrumental Music Methods2
MUSC 482Choral Music Methods2
MUSC 483Elementary Music Methods2
Professional Education Requirements
EDUC 321Introduction to Teaching3
EDUC 322Educational Psychology3
EDUC 451Instructional Planning, Methods and Assessment3
EDUC 485Student Teaching Seminar1
EDUC 486Classroom Management for Diverse Learners3
EDUC 487Student Teaching9
EDUC 488Applied Student Teaching3
EDUC 489Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds3
Vocal Track Requirements
Major Choral Ensemble: Must be taken in 7 different semesters. Select from the following in consultation with adviser:7
Cantemus
Statesmen of NDSU
Concert Choir
Minor Choral/Vocal Ensemble: Must be taken in 2 different semesters. Select two credits from the following in consultation with adviser:2
University Chamber Singers
Madrigal Singers
Opera Workshop
Major Instrumental Ensemble: Must be taken in 2 different semesters. Select two credits from the following in consultation with adviser:2
Marching Band
University Band
Wind Symphony
University Symphony Orchestra
Jazz Ensemble
Applied Voice: Must enroll in the following as indicated:7
Applied Voice (for 2 semesters)
Applied Voice (for 2 semesters)
Applied Voice (for 2 semesters)
Applied Voice (for 1 semester)
Students enrolled in applied instruction must participate in a major ensemble specific to applied area.
Applied Piano: Private (MUSC 165) or class (MUSC 160; MUSC 161; MUSC 260; MUSC 261) 4
Piano Class I (Up to 2 semesters of MUSC 165 with permission)
Applied Piano
Piano Class II
Piano Class III
Piano Class IV
Total Credits106
1

 MUSC 189 is only required for first-time, first-year students--A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take MUSC 189.

Proficiency Waiver

  • Piano proficiency exam must be completed before student teaching.
  • Piano credit requirements listed may be waived in whole or in part for successful completion of the piano proficiency.
  • Piano majors may fulfill this requirement by accompanying or performance on a secondary medium according to the discretion of the student's applied instructor/adviser.

Degree Notes

  • Music majors may not declare a music minor.
  • A grade of 'C' or better is required in all EDUC and MUSC prefix courses.
  • To be placed in student teaching, a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 GPA in professional education coursework is required.
  • To exit the program, a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 GPA in professional education coursework is required as well as completing the Praxis Subject test and the Principles of Learning and Teaching test.
  • See School of Education for admission requirements.

Minor Requirements

Minor: Music Education

Required Credits: 19

Required Courses
MUSC 103Introduction to Music History3
MUSC 130Theory and Analysis I3
MUSC 131Theory and Analysis II3
MUSC 132Ear Training & Sight Singing I1
MUSC 133Ear Training & Sight Singing II1
Applied Study Electives2
Major Ensemble Electives2
Music Education Practicum: Select one of the following:2
Instrumental Music Methods
Choral Music Methods
Elementary Music Methods
Music Education Methods: Select one from the following:2
Vocal Methods & Pedagogy I
Woodwind Methods I
Brass Methods
Percussion Methods
Total Credits19

Minor Requirements and Notes

  • A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.

Minor Requirements

Instrumental Music Education Minor

Required Credits: 23

MUSC 103Introduction to Music History3
MUSC 130Theory and Analysis I3
MUSC 131Theory and Analysis II3
MUSC 132Ear Training & Sight Singing I1
MUSC 133Ear Training & Sight Singing II1
MUSC 351Instrumental Conducting & Literature2
Instrumental Enselmble: Select 2 credits from the following:2
Marching Band
University Band
Wind Symphony
Music Education Methods
MUSC 353Woodwind Methods I2
MUSC 355Brass Methods2
MUSC 359Percussion Methods2
Music Education Practicum
MUSC 481Instrumental Music Methods2
Total Credits23

Minor Requirements

Minor: Vocal Music Education

Required Credits: 20

MUSC 103Introduction to Music History3
MUSC 130Theory and Analysis I3
MUSC 131Theory and Analysis II3
MUSC 132Ear Training & Sight Singing I1
MUSC 133Ear Training & Sight Singing II1
MUSC 352Choral Conducting & Literature2
Choral Ensemble: Select 2 credits from the following:2
Cantemus
Statesmen of NDSU
University Chamber Singers
Concert Choir
Music Education Methods
MUSC 162Voice Class1
MUSC 163Voice Class for Instrumentalists2
Music Education Practicum
MUSC 482Choral Music Methods2
Total Credits20