Jan 14, 2025

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.)

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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.

Requirements in School (48)

MUSC 99 - Recital Attendance Credits: 0
MUSP 101 - Beginning Group Piano Credits: 1
MUTC 100 - Music Theory Fundamentals Credits: 2
MUTC 101 - Music Theory I Credits: 2
MUTC 103 - Aural Skills I Credits: 2
MUTC 105 - Contemporary Aural Skills I Credits: 2
MUTC 206 - Contemporary Music Theory Credits: 2
MUTC 207 - Contemporary Aural Skills II Credits: 2
MUTC 302 - Introduction to Electronic and Computer Music I Credits: 2
MUTC 325 - Songwriting Credits: 2
MUSC 399A - Senior Recital Credits: 0
OR MUSC 399B - Senior Research Project or Composition Credits: 0

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

MUHL 220 - Introduction to Western Musical Traditions Credits: 3
Available for General Education Credit in the Creativity and Critical Analysis Knowledge Domain.
MUHL 221 - Introduction to Jazz Music Credits: 3
Available for General Education Credit in the Creativity and Critical Analysis Knowledge Domain.
MUHL 222 - World Music and Culture 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
MUHL 223 - History of Rock 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)

Two 3-credit courses selected from approved general education list. Nature and Technology Course List .

Society and Culture (6)

Two 3-credit courses selected from approved general education list. Society and Culture Course List .

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.