Music Major (B.S.)
Major Requirements
Degree Type: B.S. Minimum Credits Required: 122
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
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in all MUSC prefix courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Music Core Requirements | ||
| 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 | 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 340 | Music History I | 3 |
| MUSC 341 | Music History II | 3 |
| MUSC 385 | Music Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Capstone Experience: Select from following: 2 | 1 | |
| Recital | ||
| Recital | ||
MUSC 494 | ||
| Vocal Music or Instrumental Music Track | ||
| Select either the vocal or instrumental track to complete the major. | 12 or 22 | |
| Total Credits | 42-52 | |
Instrumental Music Track (Default Track)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Music: Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Applied Piano | ||
| Applied Wind Instruments | ||
| Applied Percussion Instruments | ||
| Applied Upper Strings | ||
| Applied Lower Strings | ||
| Applied Guitar | ||
| Applied Piano | ||
| Applied Wind Instruments | ||
| Applied Percussion Instruments | ||
| Applied Upper Strings | ||
| Applied Lower Strings | ||
| Applied Guitar | ||
| Applied Piano | ||
| Applied Wind Instruments | ||
| Applied Percussion Instruments | ||
| Applied Upper Strings | ||
| Applied Lower Strings | ||
| Applied Guitar | ||
| Supplementary Applied Study | ||
| Applied Piano | ||
| Applied Wind Instruments | ||
| Applied Percussion Instruments | ||
| Applied Upper Strings | ||
| Applied Lower Strings | ||
| Applied Guitar | ||
| Supplementary Applied Study | ||
| Major Ensemble: Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Marching Band | ||
| University Band | ||
| Wind Symphony | ||
| University Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Vocal Music Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Vocal Music Core | ||
| MUSC 108 | Roots of American Popular Music | 3 |
| MUSC 109 | World Music | 3 |
| MUSC 160 | Piano Class I | 1 |
| MUSC 161 | Piano Class II | 1 |
| MUSC 174 | Pronunciation for Singers I | 1 |
| MUSC 175 | Pronunciation for Singers II | 1 |
| Applied Music: Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Applied Voice | ||
| Applied Voice | ||
| Applied Voice | ||
| Supplementary Applied Study | ||
| Applied Voice | ||
| Supplementary Applied Study | ||
| Major Ensemble: Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Cantemus | ||
| Statesmen of NDSU | ||
| University Chamber Singers | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Total Credits | 22 | |
- 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.
- 2
B.S. Recital Capstone or Individual Study Capstone is fulfilled by registration in MUSC 380 Recital, MUSC 480 Recital, or MUSC 494 . The MUSC 494 registration is approved by the music faculty and supervised by the adviser. Possibilities include:
- Half (MUSC 380 Recital) or full (MUSC 480 Recital) recital with program notes.
- Approved research project on a topic related to music; requires a formal written document (MUSC 494 ).
- Approved internship, such as directing an ensemble (e.g. church choir), teaching at the NDSU Academy, observed regularly by the advisor, with a formal written document of the experience (MUSC 494 ).
- Approved “lecture recital” with a formal presentation. Lecture recital should be at least the same length as a half recital (MUSC 494 )
- Performance or major opera role or a major solo with ensemble in a formal concert, accompanied by a summary document (MUSC 494 )
Degree Requirements and Notes
- Music majors may not declare a music minor.