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.

  1. Minimum of 120 semester credits (some programs may exceed this minimum).
  2. Complete the University General Education requirements.
  3. Minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  4. Minimum of 30 credits in resident at NDSU.
  5. Minimum of 36 upper level credits (courses numbered 300 or higher).
  6. 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.

Category C: Communication12
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning3
Category S: Science and Technology10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences6
Category W: Wellness2
Category D: Cultural Diversity
Category G: Global Perspectives
Category L: Digital Literacy
Total Credits39

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.