Music: Performance - Bachelor of Science 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
BS Math/Statistics3-4BS Science with Lab3-4BS Science with Lab3-4
MUS 1113MUS 1123MUS 1133
MUS 1141MUS 1151MUS 1161
MUP 1901MUP 1901MUP 1901
MUS 195, 196, 197 or 1981MUS 195, 196, 197 or 1981MUS 195, 196, 197 or 1981
MUS 1880MUS 1880MUS 1880
General Elective or MUS 1912General Elective or MUS 1922General Elective or MUS 1932
MUS 0460    
Total Fall Credits16-17Total Winter Credits16-17Total Spring Credits16-17

First Year Milestone: Pass MUS 046 (Piano Proficiency) in Fall or enroll in MUS 191-193; Complete MUS 111-116 and 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 Requirement3-4
MUS 2113MUS 2123MUS 2133
MUS 2141MUS 2151MUS 2161
MUP 2901MUP 2901MUP 2901
MUS 195, 196, 197 or 1981MUS 195, 196, 197 or 1981MUS 195, 196, 197 or 1981
MUS 1880MUS 1880MUS 1880
MUS 2051General Elective4General Elective4
BS Science4    
Total Fall Credits15Total Winter Credits14Total Spring Credits13-14

Second Year Milestone: Complete MUS 211-216, 3 credits of MUP 290 (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
MUS 395, 396, 397 or 3981MUS 395, 396, 397 or 3981MUS 395, 396, 397 or 3981
MUP 3901MUP 3901MUP 3901
MUS 1880MUS 1880MUS 1880
MUS 3044MUS 3054MUS 3062
Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4General Elective4MUS 3072
    World Music/Topics4
Total Fall Credits13-14Total Winter Credits14Total Spring Credits14

Third Year Milestone: Complete MUS 304-307; 2-4 credits of World Music or Topics; and 3 credits of MUP 390 (by end of Spring term). 

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6Upper Division MUSIC Elective4Upper Division General Elective4
MUS 395, 396, 397 or 3981MUS 395, 396, 397 or 3981MUS 3941
MUP 390 or 4901MUP 390 or 4901MUP 390 or 4901
Upper Division General Elective4General Elective4Upper Division General Elective4
General Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
    MUS 047 or 0480
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits14Total Spring Credits14

Fourth Year Milestone: Complete MUS 047 or 048, and 3 credits of MUP 390 or 490 (by end of Spring term).

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • 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.
  • MUS 046: Students must pass piano proficiency (MUS 046) or take MUS 191/192/193. Courses count as lower division Music electives.
  • MUS 395, 396, 397 or 398: Piano majors take MUS 351 in lieu of 2 credits of MUS 395, 396 or 397.
  • World Music/Topics: Choose four credits from: MUS 374U, 375U, 377U, 378, 470 or 482 (two different topics).
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

Resources for Music: Performance