Music: Education (String Track) - Bachelor of Music 2024-25 Degree Map

Degree Maps & Advising


Degree maps show just one possible course plan for how to earn a degree in four years. To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

Bulletin or Catalog Year


This guide outlines the requirements in the 2024-25 Bulletin. Bulletin or Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Review PSU's course catalog policy and talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you. 

 

DARS System  


Students are highly encouraged to run their own Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report in myPSU to track their progress through their program. You'll need to know which catalog year you'd like to use for your audit request. Students are also encouraged to contact an advisor if they have any questions about their DARS, catalog/bulletin year, or degree requirements in general. DARS audits are advising tools and are not an official record of earning a degree, major, minor, or certificate. You must apply to have a degree or certificate awarded.

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5
MUS 1113MUS 1123MUS 1133
MUS 1141MUS 1151MUS 1161
MUP 1901MUP 1901MUP 1901
MUS 1961MUS 1961MUS 1961
MUS 1880MUS 1880MUS 1880
MUS 191 or Music Elective2MUS 192 or Music Elective2MUS 193 or Music Elective2
MUS 0460    
Total Fall Credits13Total Winter Credits13Total Spring Credits13

First Year Milestone: Complete MUS 111-116, 3 credits of MUP 190 (by end of Spring term).

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement 3-4
MUS 2113MUS 2123MUS 2133
MUS 2141MUS 2151MUS 2161
MUP 2901MUP 2901MUP 2901
MUS 1961MUS 1961MUS 1961
MUS 1880MUS 1880MUS 1880
MUS 2912MUS 2922MUS 2932
MUS 2051MUED 2432MUED 3331
MUED 2012Music Elective2Music Elective3
MUS 409 Practicum1  MUED 0430
MUED 0450    
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits15-16

Second Year Milestones: Complete MUS 211-216, 3 credits of MUP 290, pass 290 level change jury, and pass MUED 043 Musicianship Assessment (by end of spring term.)

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
MUP 3901MUP 3901MUP 3901
MUS 3961MUS 3961MUS 3961
MUS 1880MUS 1880MUS 1880
MUS 3202MUS 3222MUS 3212
MUS 3044MUS 3054MUS 3062
MUED 3321MUS 3123MUS 3072
MUED 342 or 3431MUED 3341MUED 3351
Music Elective2MUS 397(Choir)1MUED 3403
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits17Total Spring Credits16

Third Year Milestone: Complete MUS 306, 3 credits of MUP 390, and MUS 322 (by end of Spring term).

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Music History Elective4MUS 407 or 4822Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6
MUP 390/4901MUP 390/4901MUP 390/4901
MUS 3961MUS 3961MUS 3961
MUED 342 or 3431MUED 4323MUED 4353
MUED 4303MUED 4403MUS 4822
MUS 409 Practicum1MUS 493 (Orchestra)1MUS 047/0480
General Elective5Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement 3-4  
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits14-15Total Spring Credits13

Fourth Year Milestone: Complete Music History Elective, MUS 047, 3 credits of MUP 390 or 490 (by end of Spring term).

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • MUS 191 or Music Elective, MUS 192 or Music Elective, MUS 193 or Music Elective, and MUS 046: Must pass piano proficiency (MUS 046) or take MUS 191/192/193. Courses count as lower division Music electives and count towards 12 music elective credits.
  • MUS 409 Practicum: MUED 201, MUED 045, MUS 409 Practicum taken concurrently; MUED 430 and MUS 409 Practicum taken concurrently.
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BST), Chicanx/Latinx Studies (CHLA), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • Music History Elective: Choose one from MUS 374U/375U/377U/378
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

Resources for Music: Education (String Track)