Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Music (B.A.)


Admission to the program is by audition for the traditional option or by portfolio and interview for the world music option. Elective courses under this program should be chosen in consultation with the student’s adviser.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

Historical component-Select three from the following: (9)


  • Credits: 3
  • Available for General Education Credit in the Creativity and Critical Analysis Knowledge Domain.

  • Credits: 3
  • Available for General Education Credit in the Creativity and Critical Analysis Knowledge Domain. 

  • Credits: 3
  • Available for General Education Credit in the Creativity and Critical Analysis Knowledge Domain. 

           OR MUHL 326 - Survey of World Music Credits: 3
                  OR ANTH 326X - Survey of World Music Credits: 3
           MUHL 326/ANTH 326X also satisfy the Human Diversity Requirement

  • Credits: 3
  • Available for General Education Credit in the Creativity and Critical Analysis Knowledge Domain. 

Applied Music Requirement (8)


Students must choose from one of the following options:

World Music Option:


World Music Ensembles (8 credits from MUSE 321, 325, 370, 372, 373 or 375, must be enrolled in 2 consecutive semesters for an ensemble to count.)

Traditional Option:


Private keyboard, instrumental, or voice study (4 credits in MUSP)

AND Ensembles (4 credits in MUSE playing the MUSP instrument studied.)

Electives (14)


Choose 14 credits of music electives from MUTC, MUSP, MUED, MUSE, or MUHL

For students interested in recording arts, the following set of electives is recommended: MUTC 314, 315, 316, 323, 324, 400 and 401.

Requirements outside School (0-12)


  • Fulfillment of B.A. foreign language requirement (0-12)
    (See “Foreign Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree” in the Other Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.)

TOTAL HOURS FOR A MAJOR IN MUSIC (B.A.): 48-60


General Education Requirements (15-27)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining general education requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the general education requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the general education credit requirements.

The required minimum of 21 semester hours in Knowledge Domain studies cannot include more than two courses in any one department. (A course with an affiliated laboratory course shall be counted as a single course.)

Foundational Studies (0-12)


Writing Requirement (0-6)
Oral Communication Requirement (0-3)
Quantitative Literacy Requirements (0-3)

For additional information about these requirements, please visit Foundational Studies .

Knowledge Domain Requirements (15)


Creativity and Critical Analysis (0)

  • The program requirement to choose three from MUHL 220, 221,222 or 223 fulfills the two required courses for this knowledge domain.

Nature and Technology (6)

Society and Culture (6)

Knowledge Domain Elective (3) 

One 3-credit course selected from approved general education list.

Graduation Requirements (6-9)


In addition to completing the above major requirements, students must complete the remaining graduation requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the graduation requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the graduation credit requirements.

Human Diversity Requirement (0-3)

One course from the approved Human Diversity course list; may be fulfilled by extracurricular activities. Human Diversity Course List.  

Writing Infused Requirements (6) 

Two courses from the approved Writing Infused course list. Writing Infused Course List.  

Upper-Division Courses


A minimum of 40 semester hours of the total number must be in courses numbered at the 300 and/or 400 level. These must include at least 12 semester hours of major departmental courses taken at NIU.

TOTAL HOURS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: 21-36


TOTAL HOURS FOR ELECTIVES: 24-51


TOTAL HOURS FOR A B.A. DEGREE IN MUSIC: 120