Music: Theory - Bachelor of Science 2023-24 Degree Map

Degree Maps show how you can earn a degree in four years. It has been created under the assumption that most PSU courses are 4 credits. However, the BA and BS requirements on the map can be satisfied with fewer credits, but this may require you to take additional general elective courses to reach the 180 total credits required for a degree. Speak with an academic advisor to develop your own personalized plan.

This guide outlines the requirements in the 2023-24 catalog. 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 eligible for an earlier catalog. You should talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5
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
BS Math/Statistics3-4BS Science with Lab3-4BS Science with Lab3-4
MUS 0460    
Total Fall Credits14-15Total Winter Credits14-15Total Spring Credits14-15

First Year Milestone: Complete MUS 113/116, 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 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 1941
MUS 1880MUS 1880MUS 1880
BS Science4MUS 2061General Elective4
MUS 2051General Elective4  
Total Fall Credits14Total Winter Credits15Total Spring Credits14-15

Second Year Milestones: Complete MUS 213/216, 3 credits of MUP 290 and submit portfolio for admission to BS Theory Degree program (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 3044MUS 3054MUS 3064
MUS 3113MUS 3123MUS 3133
MUS 1880MUS 1880MUS 1880
Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits14-15Total Winter Credits15Total Spring Credits15

Third Year Milestone: Complete MUS 304, 305, 306 and MUS 313.

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
MUS 421 or General Elective3Music Elective4Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6
Upper Division General Elective4Upper Division General Elective4General Elective4
Upper Division General Elective4MUS 422 or General Elective3Upper Division General Elective4
Upper Division General Elective4General Elective2General Elective4
    MUS 0470
Total Fall Credits15Total Winter Credits13Total Spring Credits18

Additional Map Notes:

  • MUS 046: Students must pass piano proficiency (MUS 046) or take MUS 191/192/193. Courses count as lower division Music electives.
  • 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), Chicano/Latino 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 421 or General Elective, and MUS 422 or General Elective: Either MUS 421 or 422 is required, not both.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.