Music Education K-12

About this Composite Major

VCSU student Sarah Larson teaches music in an elementary classroom using drums.

The BS in Music Education degree program at VCSU is designed to give students the skills needed to be a successful 21st-century music teacher. Students learn performance skills on their primary instrument while gaining practical experience in conducting and leading a traditional ensemble. In addition, students gain experience in the modern world of music, including recording and production, integrating jazz and popular music in the curriculum, and experimenting with current technology and teaching trends in music. The music education degree is offered in a combined track, providing experience in both choral and instrumental education. The BS in Music Education leads to K-12 Music certification in the state of North Dakota.

Meet a Student

VCSU music student Rachel Baker stands with her French horn on the main performance stage at the Center for the Arts.

I love the people that I get to work with. I get to learn from my classmates as well as my professors because our classes allow for so much collaboration. I play horn in the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band. I play bass drum in our drumline. I have sung in the VCSU Concert Choir. - Rachel Baker, French horn player and Music Education major

“Valley City State University was the perfect environment to learn about teacher education for the music classroom. The combination of small classroom sizes and close faculty-student relationships allowed me to grow as a teacher through the faculty's great experience.” —Brad Lambrecht ’05, Lisbon, N.D.; orchestra and music director, Alexandria (Minn.) Public Schools

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Teacher Education Requirements

Students are typically admitted into Teacher Education during their sophomore year or beginning of their junior year of college. This program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and successful completion of the Praxis I test. Additional criteria for Admission to Teacher Education can be found at the following website: www.onestop.vcsu.edu.

Get Involved in your Major

Students participating in the VCSU drumline perform on the stage in the Center for the Arts.

National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Student Chapter
American Choral Director's Association (ACDA) Student Chapter

Practical Experience

The VCSU Concert Band on stage during a performance in the Center for the Arts

There are many venues for students to share their performance abilities: Concert Choir, Concert Band, Athletic Band, Jazz Ensemble, University Singers, Wind Ensemble, Opera Ensemble, Commercial Music Ensemble and a wide variety of chamber and solo performance opportunities. Advanced students may be given the opportunity to lead elements of rehearsal, potentially culminating in live conducting experiences during ensemble performances.

Practice and Perform in the Center for the Arts

- Students study in the lobby of the Center for the Arts on the campus of Valley City State University.

The brand-new Center for the Arts houses all music classrooms including:

a state-of-the-art recording and production studio
a 350-seat performance hall
a 100-seat recital hall/choral room
a band room
a piano/computer lab
large and small practice rooms

Acoustic treatments have been designed for all performance, rehearsal and practice spaces, and the larger spaces feature adjustable acoustics and audio/video capabilities.

Contact Information

Department Chair

Dr. Kenneth Jimenez, kennethjr.jimenez@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7381

Faculty Contact

Jerrold Heide, jerrold.heide@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7375

Department Location

Center for the Arts, (701) 845-7272

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/

(701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
English Composition
Select one of the following:		6
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
or
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 103	College Algebra
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics
MATH 107	Precalculus
MATH 110	Mathematics in Society
MATH 165	Calculus I
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following, one must come from the Natural and Physical Sciences category		8
Natural and Physical Science (ND:LABSC)
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
CHEM 115	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 116	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II
GEOL 100	Introduction to Earth Science
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time
PHYS 100	Concepts of Physics
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 211	College Physics I
PHYS 212	College Physics II
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
Additional Sciences (ND:SCI)
PSYC 240	Cognition and Brain Science
TECH 161	Technology, Engineering, and Design
TECH 165	Technology Solutions for Society
Wellness
Select one of the following:		2
HPER 100	Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:		3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems ³
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology ³
SE 110	Discovering Computing
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:		3
ASL 101	American Sign Language I
ASL 102	American Sign Language II
COMM 211	Oral Interpretation
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film
ENGL 231	Bible as Literature
ENGL 232	Mythology
ENGL 236	Women and Literature
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
HUM 201	Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
PSYC 200	Ethics and Philosophy of Science
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts
ART 115	Introduction to Digital Media
ART 210	Art History I
ART 211	Art History II
ART 233	History of Craft
HUM 202	Fine Arts and Aesthetics
MUS 100	Music Appreciation
MUS 101	Music Fundamentals
MUS 201	World Music
MUS 207	History of Popular/Rock Music
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 114	Human Communication
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics
GEOG 151	Human Geography
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States to Present
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
POLS 115	American National Government
POLS 116	State and Local Government
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology ¹
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:		2
ART 122	Two-Dimensional Design
ART 130	Drawing I
ART 150	Ceramics I
ART 180	Photography I
GEOG 111	Survey of Geography
MUS 104	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 105	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 130	Valkyries
MUS 131	Concert Choir ²
MUS 140	Athletic Band
MUS 141	Concert Band ²
PHYS 275	Planetarium Science
THEA 201	Theatre Practicum
Total Credits		39

¹: Required
²: Students must choose two credits from these courses.
³: Course satisfies the Digital Literacy graduation requirement.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Application required for entry into program: application form, audition, program plan. The student must achieve a grade of C or better in each of the specified courses.
Required Core Courses
MUS 122	Music Theory I	3
MUS 123	Aural Skills I	1
MUS 124	Music Theory II	3
MUS 125	Aural Skills II	1
MUS 171	Introduction to Music Technology	1
MUS 200	Music Convocation ¹	0
MUS 205	Basic Conducting	2
MUS 222	Music Theory III	3
MUS 223	Aural Skills III	1
MUS 224	Music Theory IV	3
MUS 225	Aural Skills IV	1
MUS 301	Scoring and Arranging	2
MUS 331	Music History & Literature I	3
MUS 332	Music History & Literature II	3
K-12 Music Certification
MUS 111	Class Piano I ²	1
MUS 112	Class Piano II ²	1
MUS 211	Class Piano III ²	1
MUS 212	Class Piano IV ²	1
MUS 226	Woodwind Methods	1
MUS 227	Brass Methods	1
MUS 228	Percussion Methods	1
MUS 229	Guitar Methods	1
MUS 230	String Methods	1
MUS 231	Diction for Singers I	1
MUS 232	Diction for Singers II	1
MUS 325	Vocal Methods	1
MUS 390	Music in the Elementary School	3
MUS 403	Choral Methods and Literature	3
MUS 404	Instrumental Methods and Literature	3
Primary Instrument Performance
100 Level Applied Music		4
200 Level Applied Music		4
MUS 298	Sophomore Proficiency	0
300 Level Applied Music		2
Primary Ensembles		4
MUS 131	Concert Choir
MUS 141	Concert Band
Small Ensembles		2
MUS 132	University Singers
MUS 133	Opera Ensemble
MUS 142	Jazz Ensemble
MUS 143	Commercial Music Ensemble ³
MUS 144	Percussion Ensemble
MUS 145	Brass Ensemble
MUS 149	Wind Ensemble
Total Credits		64

Professional Education Sequence

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Professional Education Sequence for Music
EDUC 240	Educating Exceptional Students	3
EDUC 283	Understanding Cultural Diversity in Education	3
EDUC 351	Secondary Practicum and Classroom Management	1
EDUC 352	Culturally Diverse Practicum	1
EDUC 375	Teaching Reading in the Content Areas	2
EDUC 400	Educational Psychology	2
EDUC 450	Trends in Assessment and Educational Issues	2
EDUC 480	Student Teaching (Secondary)	10
MUS 249	Introduction to Music Education	2
MUS 388	Progressive Music Education I	3
PSYC 250	Developmental Psychology	3
Total Credits		32

¹: Students must register for MUS 200 Music Convocation each semester they are registered for Applied Music.
²: Students whose primary instrument is piano must substitute MUS 212 Class Piano IV, MUS 153 Applied Voice (1 cr.) and MUS 350 Applied Piano (2 cr.) for these courses.
³: Students must complete at least 1 credit of Commercial Music Ensemble as part of the 2-credit Small Ensemble requirement.

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement 64 Hrs
Total Professional Education Sequence 32 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 135 Hrs

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study

Fall Even Entry

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Applied Music	2	Applied Music	2
ENGL 110 (Gen Ed)	3	ENGL 120 (Gen Ed)	3
MUS 111	1	MUS 112	1
MUS 122	3	MUS 124	3
MUS 123	1	MUS 125	1
MUS 171 (Introduction to Music Technology)	3	MUS 249	2
Primary Ensemble	1	Primary Ensemble	1
UNIV 150	1	Social Science (Gen Ed)	3
	15		16
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Applied Music	2	Applied Music	2
Speech Communication (Gen Ed)	3	Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
CIS 170 (Gen Ed)	3	Wellness (Gen Ed)	2
MUS 205	2	Math (Gen Ed)	3
MUS 211	1	MUS 212	1
MUS 222	3	MUS 224	3
MUS 223	1	MUS 225	1
MUS 231	1	MUS 298	0
Primary Ensemble	1	MUS 232	1
		Primary Ensemble	1
	17		18
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Applied Music	1	Applied Music	1
Literacies (Gen Ed)	3	EDUC 351	1
MUS 227	1	MUS 229	1
MUS 230	1	MUS 301	2
MUS 331	3	MUS 325	1
MUS 404	3	MUS 332	3
Social Science (Gen Ed)	3	MUS 388	3
		MUS 403	3
		Secondary Ensemble (Gen Ed)	1
	15		16
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
EDUC 240	3	EDUC 352	1
EDUC 283	3	EDUC 375	2
EDUC 400	2	EDUC 450	2
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	MUS 143	1
MUS 228	1	MUS 201 (Gen Ed)	3
MUS 390	3	MUS 226	1
Secondary Ensemble (Gen Ed)	1	PSYC 250	3
	17		13
Fifth Year
Fall	Credits
EDUC 480	10
	10
Total Credits 137

Fall Odd Entry

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Applied Music	2	Applied Music	2
ENGL 110 (Gen Ed)	3	ENGL 120 (Gen Ed)	3
MUS 111	1	Math (Gen Ed)	3
MUS 122	3	MUS 112	1
MUS 123	1	MUS 124	3
MUS 171 (Introduction to Music Technology)	3	MUS 125	1
Primary Ensemble	1	MUS 249	2
UNIV 150	1	Primary Ensemble	1
	15		16
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Applied Music	2	Applied Music	2
MUS 205	2	Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
MUS 211	1	MUS 212	1
MUS 222	3	MUS 224	3
MUS 223	1	MUS 225	1
Primary Ensemble	1	MUS 388	3
Speech Communication (Gen Ed)	3	Primary Ensemble	1
Social Science (Gen Ed)	3	Secondary Ensemble (Gen Ed)	1
	16		16
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Applied Music	1	Applied Music	1
Literacies (Gen Ed)	3	EDUC 351	1
MUS 228	1	HPER 100 (Gen Ed)	2
MUS 231	1	MUS 143	1
MUS 331	3	MUS 226	1
MUS 390	3	MUS 232	1
Social Science (Gen Ed)	3	MUS 301	2
CIS 170 (Gen Ed)	3	MUS 332	3
	18		12
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
EDUC 240	3	EDUC 352	1
EDUC 283	3	EDUC 375	2
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	EDUC 450	2
EDUC 400	2	MUS 201 (Gen Ed)	3
MUS 404	3	MUS 229	1
MUS 227	1	MUS 325	1
MUS 230	1	MUS 403	3
Secondary Ensemble (Gen Ed)	1	PSYC 250	3
	18		16
Fifth Year
Fall	Credits
EDUC 480	10
	10
Total Credits 137

Please note: This plan is intended for general information only. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Music Learning Outcomes

VCSU Music Majors will:

Demonstrate competence in basic musicianship skills. (Musicianship)
Develop requisite performance skills as a soloist and ensemble member, consistent with the objectives of their degree plan. (Performance)
Interpret and analyze music from a variety of cultures and time periods. (Analysis)
Demonstrate teaching skills consistent with the objectives of their degree plan. (Pedagogy)