Apr 24, 2026

2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Music (B.A.)

Admission to the program is by:

1) instrumental or vocal audition, or

2) earning a C or better in all music coursework your first year of school. Students selecting the second option will enter NIU as a Pre-Music (B.A.) major. Lesson and ensemble requirements will be determined by the pathway selected for admission as outlined in the Applied Music Requirement section below. Elective courses under this program should be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.

Requirements in School (48)

Core Requirements: (15)

MUSC 99 - Recital Attendance Credits: 0
MUSP 101 - Beginning Group Piano Credits: 1
MUTC 100 - Contemporary Music Theory I Credits: 3
MUTC 101 - Music Theory I Credits: 2
MUTC 103 - Aural Skills I Credits: 2
MUTC 206 - Contemporary Music Theory II Credits: 3
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 Classical Music Credits: 3
MUHL 221 - Introduction to Jazz Music Credits: 3
MUHL 222 - World Music and Culture Credits: 3
MUHL 223 - History of Rock Credits: 3

Applied Music Requirement (8)

Students pursue one of the following options based upon program admission format:

Global 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.)

Private Study Option:

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

AND Ensembles ((4 credits in MUSE playing in the ensemble required by the MUSP instrument corequisite)

Electives (16)

Choose 16 credits of music electives from MUTC, MUSP, MUED, MUSE, MUSC, or MUHL

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

Requirements outside School (12)

Fulfillment of B.A. foreign language requirement (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.): 60

INSIDE SCHOOL OF MUSIC: 48

OUTSIDE SCHOOL OF MUSIC: 12

TOTAL HOURS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: 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)

For additional information about these requirements, including equivalent courses or transfer credit policies, please visit Foundational Studies.

Writing Requirement (6)

ENGL 103 - Rhetoric and Composition I Credits: 3
ENGL 203 - Rhetoric and Composition II, Researched Writing in the Domains Credits: 3

Oral Communication Requirement (3)

COMS 100 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credits: 3

Quantitative Literacy Requirements (3)

MATH 101 is the recommended quantitative literacy requirement course for Music majors.

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.