Music Education Instrumental Major (B.Mus.)
Major Requirements
Degree Type: B.Mus. Minimum Credits Required: 143
University Degree Requirements
For complete details on these and other university degree requirements, refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section in the University Catalog.
- Minimum of 120 semester credits (some programs may exceed this minimum).
- Complete the University General Education requirements.
- Minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
- Minimum of 30 credits in resident at NDSU.
- Minimum of 36 upper level credits (courses numbered 300 or higher).
- Students with transfer credit must meet the NDSU 30 credits in residence (#4). Of these 30 credits in residence, a minimum of 15 credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 credits must be in the student's declared major curricula.
University General Education Requirements
A list of university approved general education courses along with the administrative policies governing the requirement and the categories is available here.
| Code | Title | Credits | 
|---|---|---|
| Category C: Communication | 12 | |
| 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 | ||
| Category L: Digital Literacy | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits | 
|---|---|---|
| Music Core Requirements for Education Majors | ||
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | 
| HDFS 230 | Life Span Development | 3 | 
| or PSYC 250 | Developmental Psychology | |
| MUSC 103 | Introduction to Music History | 3 | 
| MUSC 130 | Theory and Analysis I | 3 | 
| MUSC 131 | Theory and Analysis II | 3 | 
| MUSC 132 | Ear Training & Sight Singing I | 1 | 
| MUSC 133 | Ear Training & Sight Singing II | 1 | 
| MUSC 189 | Skills for Academic Success 1 | 1 | 
| MUSC 230 | Theory and Analysis III | 3 | 
| MUSC 231 | Theory and Analysis IV | 3 | 
| MUSC 232 | Ear Training & Sight Singing III | 1 | 
| MUSC 233 | Ear Training & Sight Singing IV | 1 | 
| MUSC 331 | Instrumental Arranging | 2 | 
| MUSC 340 | Music History I | 3 | 
| MUSC 341 | Music History II | 3 | 
| MUSC 349 | Vocal Methods & Pedagogy I | 2 | 
| MUSC 351 | Instrumental Conducting & Literature | 2 | 
| MUSC 352 | Choral Conducting & Literature | 2 | 
| MUSC 353 | Woodwind Methods I | 2 | 
| MUSC 354 | Woodwind Methods II | 2 | 
| MUSC 355 | Brass Methods | 2 | 
| MUSC 357 | Marching Band Methods and Techniques | 1 | 
| MUSC 358 | Jazz Methods | 1 | 
| MUSC 359 | Percussion Methods | 2 | 
| MUSC 380 | Recital | 1 | 
| or MUSC 480 | Recital | |
| MUSC 385 | Music Entrepreneurship | 3 | 
| MUSC 481 | Instrumental Music Methods | 2 | 
| MUSC 482 | Choral Music Methods | 2 | 
| MUSC 483 | Elementary Music Methods | 2 | 
| Professional Education Requirements | ||
| EDUC 321 | Introduction to Teaching | 3 | 
| EDUC 322 | Educational Psychology | 3 | 
| EDUC 451 | Instructional Planning, Methods and Assessment | 3 | 
| EDUC 485 | Student Teaching Seminar | 1 | 
| EDUC 486 | Classroom Management for Diverse Learners | 3 | 
| EDUC 487 | Student Teaching | 9 | 
| EDUC 488 | Applied Student Teaching | 3 | 
| EDUC 489 | Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds | 3 | 
| 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 Credits | 110 | |
- 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.
