Mar 23, 2026  
2024-2026 Academic Catalog 
  
2024-2026 Academic Catalog

Music Education with Instrumental Option, B.S.E.D.

Location(s): Dickinson Campus, Bismarck Campus


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Students must complete the required core music courses, music education method courses and option courses. All, including transfer students, must participate in at least Chorale or Concert Band, as appropriate to their major area, each semester that they are enrolled on campus in their major area, with the exception of the semester of student teaching.

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Education - Music Education with Instrumental Option is a major within the School of Education. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu or call 1-800-279-HAWK.

Degree Requirements:

  • General Education Courses
  • Major Courses
  • Secondary Professional Education Sequence

Degree available in Bismarck

Career Options

Why should you pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree - Music Education?

The bachelor’s degree in music education gives students thorough training in the fundamentals of music with an emphasis on pedagogy and current educational practices. Students who complete this degree typically go on to teach music in an elementary or secondary school setting. Other possible career tracks include teaching private lessons or pursuing graduate study in performance, conducting, or education.

Possible Career Paths

  • Music Director/Composer
  • Teacher, Performer
  • Marketing

Requirements


The following is required as part of general education:

Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all required courses for this program.

Secondary Professional Education Sequence


The Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in an approved secondary teaching subject includes courses in General Education, professional education, the major field, and the minor field to total a minimum of 120 semester hours. Specific requirements for the majors and minors are shown under the appropriate programs in the catalog. A grade of “C” or better is required in all professional education courses graded on an “A” through “F” letter basis, and a grade of “S”’ is required in all professional education courses graded on an “S/U” letter basis.

Professional Courses in Disciplinary Methods Block (must be taken concurrently):


Subtotal: 10


Disciplinary Courses


In addition to the professional courses in the secondary methods block, each discipline requires its own methods course to teach pedagogical techniques particular to that discipline. As a co-requisite of SEED 398B  or SEED 398C , each student with a major or minor in a secondary education discipline is required to take the appropriate methods course(s) from this list (and must check with an advisor in that department to determine additional requirements particular to the discipline):

Subtotal: 12


EDUC 398D  should be taken in the same semester as either EDUC 280  or EDUC 300  (preferred)

EDUC 406  must be taken the first semester the student has been admitted into the teacher education program.

Subtotal: 12


All professional courses have a prerequisite of admission to Teacher Education.

Subtotal: 34


Subtotal: 34-39


EDUC 350  is taken the semester prior to student-teaching.

EDUC 305  and EDUC 310  are required courses for the Middle School pedagogical endorsement.

Total: 87-92


Additional Music Education Requirements


The Dickinson State University Division of Music provides a comprehensive professional program, available to music majors, music minors, and non-majors, as well as to students certifying to teach public school music. The program also offers fundamental courses to serve the general education needs of the University and promotes the understanding and enjoyment of music on campus, in the community, and in the region.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Education degree requires General Education, the major, Professional Education and electives to equal a minimum of 120 semester hours. Note: Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in Music (Options in Choral and Instrumental) does not require a minor.

Applied Lessons

Applied lessons are the study of an instrument or voice with a faculty member. Lessons involve weekly one-on-one instruction with a music faculty member. Music majors and minors are given preference in the scheduling of applied lessons, but non-music majors may also register for applied lessons (special fees apply). MUSC 240 /MUSC 440  (Chorale) and/or MUSC 241 /MUSC 441  (Concert Band) are co-requisites with applied lessons. Non-music majors taking applied lessons may be required to take the jury examination at the end of each semester of study.

All music minors must enroll in and satisfy requirements for four semesters of Performance Class during the semesters they are registered for applied lessons. At a minimum, all music majors/minors enrolled in applied lessons must perform at performance class at least once each semester. Failure to meet this requirement will result in a failing grade for the applied lesson.

400 Level Requirements

Students may register for applied lessons at the 400 level after:

  1. At least two semesters of applied lessons at the 100 or 200 level with an average grade of 2.5.
  2. Passing the Sophomore Gateway Examination.

Sophomore Gateway Examination

At the conclusion of the sophomore year (fourth semester of study), or after a maximum of two semesters in residence for transfer students, and passage of the Piano Proficiency Exam, the student will attempt the Sophomore Gateway Exam. The Sophomore Gateway Exam will consist of an extended jury performance in which the student will demonstrate technical and literature requirements established by the applied teacher and approved by the faculty. The student may take the exam up to four times, but must pass before admission to upper level music courses is granted. 

At each attempt of the Sophomore Gateway exam, the faculty will provide written indication to the student either that:

  1. The student is on track and should finish the degree within a normal expectation of time.
  2. The committee notes progress but still hears musical or technical problems which have not yet been corrected, therefore, the student should be aware that it may take longer to complete the appropriate degree and should make appropriate academic decisions.
  3. Continuation of the music major is done against the advice of the faculty.

Piano Proficiency Requirement

As a requirement for graduation, all music majors must pass MUSC 230N - Piano Proficiency Exam . It is highly recommended that this requirement for graduation be met no later than the end of the sophomore year. The Piano Proficiency Exam must be completed concurrent with or prior to upper level study and prior to student teaching. Transfer students must present written evidence of having passed an equivalent examination.

Theory, Keyboard Requirement

Students registered for MUSC 122  are required to take MUSC 130  during the same fall semester as preparation for Piano Proficiency Exam (MUSC 230N ). Students registered for MUSC 124  are likewise required to take MUSC 131  the same spring semester. Students may also elect to continue preparation for the exam in MUSC 231, and MUSC 232.

Recital/Capstone Requirement

Music majors must present a recital in the major applied music area during the senior year of study. It is recommended that all music majors present a junior recital. Students must have permission from their applied lesson instructor prior to registering for the recital. For the senior recital, students must be registered in at least the seventh semester of applied study for the major applied instrument. Students must be enrolled in at least the second semester of 400 level applied study during the semester of the recital. B.A. music students not pursuing a performance-oriented area of interest may present a capstone project in lieu of the senior recital. For the junior recital, students must be registered in at least the sixth semester of private lessons for the major applied instrument and have the permission of the applied instructor. The recital will be graded by at least three members of the music faculty, including the applied instructor.

Recital Hearing

A recital hearing is required at least four weeks prior to presentation of the junior or senior recital. Required at the recital hearing is a successful presentation of the repertoire, with the accompanist, of all material programmed on the recital program. The student’s applied teacher and at least two other members of the music faculty will be present at the hearing. It is the responsibility of the student to schedule this hearing.

Jury Examinations

Music majors and minors must perform a jury examination at the end of every semester for each instrument/voice of applied study that term.

Performance Class Requirement

All music majors must enroll in and satisfy requirements for Performance Class (MUSC 289 /MUSC 489 ) during each semester that they are a declared music major. The only exception is the semester that students are student teaching.

Ensemble Participation

See above for ensemble requirements for majors and minors under applied lessons. Music ensembles are open to all students regardless of academic major. Students who are not music majors or minors are encouraged to participate in music ensembles and activities.

Semester Sequence


First Semester


Subtotal: 16


Second Semester


Subtotal: 16


Third Semester


Subtotal: 17-18


Fourth Semester


Subtotal: 18


Fifth Semester


Subtotal: 18


Sixth Semester


Subtotal: 12


Seventh Semester


Subtotal: 11


Subtotal: 16


Subtotal: 13


EDUC 250  is to assist student in creating teaching portfolio.

Student Learning Outcomes


  1. Students will perform a variety of musical styles with technical and rhythmic accuracy, tone quality, intonation, musical interpretation, appropriate diction/articulation, and stylistic accuracy both as a solo and ensemble performer, in rehearsal and performance on their primary instrument. (This learning outcome addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I and VII.) Students
  2. Students will engage in historical, cultural, theoretical, and educational research in music by identifying and demonstrating ability to use appropriate resources. (This learning outcome addresses Institutional Learning Outcome I, VI and VII.)
  3. Students will analyze and evaluate written music and musical performance, including aural and cognitive comprehension of harmonic, structural, stylistic, and compositional music concepts. (This learning outcome addresses Institutional Learning Outcome I, II, III, VI. )
  4. Students will engage in music as a profession through membership in professional organizations, and participation in professional activities. (This learning outcome addresses Institutional Learning Outcome I, V, VI.)
  5. Demonstrate proficiency in the 10 InTASC standards. (This learning outcome addresses Institutional Learning Outcome I, II, III, VI.)

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