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Whether you graduated from high school in the U.S. or abroad, if you have never previously attended a university, you are considered to be a first time freshman. To apply to McNeese, make sure you meet the minimum requirements:
You have graduated from secondary school
Minimum high school overall GPA of 2.35
Readiness in EnglishCollapse
ACT English: 18
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 500
ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Writing: 250
PTE Academic: 48
IELTS: 6.0
TOEFL: 71
Developmental English U.S. college coursework: "C" grade or higher
A level/ O level/ GCSE English, "C" grade or higher
IB (HL) English, "4" grade or higher
KCSE English, "B" grade or higher
ELS level 112, Completion
Readiness in MathCollapse
ACT Math: 19
SAT Math Section: 500
ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics: 263
Developmental Mathematics U.S. college coursework: "C" grade or higher
Explore More for Music Majors
Led by internationally recognized and esteemed faculty with diverse expertise, the undergraduate music degree at McNeese provides a variety of opportunities for one-on-one training and personal attention through mentorships, small class sizes and world-class instruction. Through excellence with a personal touch, you’ll also have access to these additional features of the Bachelor of Music degree program.
Technology and equipment:
Music majors have access to one of the most impressive and expansive collections of professional-quality band and orchestral instruments in Louisiana, as well as recording technology in the KBYS radio station.
Professional networking:
Undergraduate student organizations and activities provide opportunities on and off campus to make connections with fellow artists. Join Phi Mu Alpha, Sigma Alpha Iota, Kappa Kappa Psi or the Student Music Composition Society.
Financial aid and scholarships:
With one of the lowest costs of attendance in Louisiana, Southeast Texas and the U.S., McNeese offers a high-value, affordable education. Additional opportunities to get help paying for college include Band and Choral Service Awards, Departmental Scholarships and the University Special Achievement Award in Music. Learn more from the Office of Financial Aid.
Modern facilities:
The bachelor’s in music, part of the W.A. and Dorothy Hanna Department of Performing Arts, is housed in the Shearman Fine Arts addition, one of the newest buildings on campus. With practice and performance spaces, the addition features a computer lab, as well as the Technology Advancement Student Committee, which funds the technological needs of music students. Other on-campus performance venues include Tritico Theatre, Bulber Auditorium and Squires Recital Hall, as well as the recently renovated Band Hall, home to the university bands program.
More info: Click here
Music, BM
Total Hours Required for Degree: 120
Freshman Fall - 13 hours
Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning General Education Elective - 3 hours
Natural Sciences General Education Elective - 3 hours
ENGL 101 - English Composition I Cr: 3
MUAI 101 - Applied Instrument Study Cr: 2
MUSC 190 - Recitals and Concerts Cr: 0
ORIN 101 - Freshman Orientation Cr: 0
PIAN 115 - Class Piano Cr: 1 Choose one of the following Major Ensemble electives (Must accrue 1 credit hour):
MUSC 390 - Marching Band Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion)
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2 (for strings)
Freshman Spring - 16 hours
Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning General Education Elective - 3 hours
Natural Sciences General Education Elective - 3 hours
ENGL 102 - English Composition II Cr: 3
MUAI 102 - Applied Instrument Study Cr: 2
MUSC 113 - Principles of Music I Cr: 3
MUSC 190 - Recitals and Concerts Cr: 0
PIAN 116 - Class Piano Cr: 1 Choose one of the following Major Ensemble electives (Must accrue 1 credit hour):
MUSC 380 - Symphonic Band Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion)
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2 (for strings)
MUSC 487 - Wind Symphony Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion)
Sophomore Fall - 16 hours
English Literature General Education Elective - 3 hours
History General Education Elective - 3 hours
Natural Sciences General Education Elective - 3 hours
MUAI 201 - Applied Instrument Study Cr: 2
MUSC 190 - Recitals and Concerts Cr: 0
MUSC 213 - Principles of Music II Cr: 3
PIAN 215 - Class Piano Cr: 1 Choose one of the following Major Ensemble electives (Must accrue 1 credit hour):
MUSC 390 - Marching Band Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion)
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2 (for strings)
Sophomore Spring - 13 hours
Broad Humanities or Additional History General Education Elective - 3 hours
Social/Behavioral Sciences General Education Elective - 3 hours
MUAI 202 - Applied Instrument Study Cr: 2
MUSC 190 - Recitals and Concerts Cr: 0
MUSC 200 - Admission to Upper-Division Major Performance Study Cr: 0
MUSC 214 - Principles of Music III Cr: 3
PIAN 216 - Class Piano Cr: 1 Choose one of the following Major Ensemble electives (Must accrue 1 credit hour):
MUSC 380 - Symphonic Band Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion)
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2 (for strings)
MUSC 487 - Wind Symphony Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion)
·Junior Fall - 18 hours
Fine Arts General Education Elective - 3 hours (Must be ART or THEA)
Social/Behavioral Sciences General Education Elective - 3 hours
MUAI 311 - Applied Instrument Study: Instrumental Performance Cr: 3
MUSC 190 - Recitals and Concerts Cr: 0
MUSC 313 - Principles of Music IV Cr: 3
MUSC 362 - Music History and Literature I: Antiquity through Pre-Classic Period Cr: 3 Choose one of the following Chamber Music electives:
MUSC 385 - Woodwind Ensemble Cr: 1
MUSC 388 - Brass Choir Cr: 1
MUSC 389 - Percussion Ensemble Cr: 1
MUSC 493 - Chamber Music-Various Ensembles Cr: 1
MUSC 499 - Jazz Ensemble Cr: 1 Choose one of the following Major Ensemble electives (Must accrue 1 credit hour):
MUSC 390 - Marching Band Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion)
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2 (for strings)
MUSC 487 - Wind Symphony Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion) Choose one of the following Secondary Instrument electives:
MUAI 111 - Applied Instrument Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
MUAP 111 - Applied Piano Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
MUAV 111 - Applied Voice Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
Junior Spring - 17 hours
MUAI 312 - Applied Instrument Study: Instrumental Performance Cr: 3
MUSC 190 - Recitals and Concerts Cr: 0
MUSC 308 - Conducting Cr: 2
MUSC 311 - Professional Internship Cr: 2
MUSC 327 - Music Technology in the Classroom and Studio Cr: 3
MUSC 363 - Music History and Literature II: Classic Period through Present Cr: 3
MUSC 399 - Junior Recital for Music Performance Cr: 1 Choose one of the following Chamber Music electives:
MUSC 385 - Woodwind Ensemble Cr: 1
MUSC 388 - Brass Choir Cr: 1
MUSC 389 - Percussion Ensemble Cr: 1
MUSC 493 - Chamber Music-Various Ensembles Cr: 1
MUSC 499 - Jazz Ensemble Cr: 1 Choose one of the following Major Ensemble electives (Must accrue 1 credit hour):
MUSC 380 - Symphonic Band Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion)
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2 (for strings)
MUSC 487 - Wind Symphony Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion) Choose one of the following Secondary Instrument electives:
MUAI 112 - Applied Instrument Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
MUAP 112 - Applied Piano Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
MUAV 112 - Applied Voice Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
Senior Fall - 15 hours
MUAI 411 - Applied Instrument Study: Instrumental Performance Cr: 3
MUSC 311 - Professional Internship Cr: 2
MUSC 402 - Instrumental Arranging Cr: 2
MUSC 415 - Music in the Twentieth Century Cr: 3
MUSC 445 - Pedagogy for Performance Majors I Cr: 2 Choose one of the following Chamber Music electives:
MUSC 385 - Woodwind Ensemble Cr: 1
MUSC 388 - Brass Choir Cr: 1
MUSC 389 - Percussion Ensemble Cr: 1
MUSC 493 - Chamber Music-Various Ensembles Cr: 1
MUSC 499 - Jazz Ensemble Cr: 1 Choose one of the following Major Ensemble electives (Must accrue 1 credit hour):
MUSC 390 - Marching Band Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion)
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2 (for strings)
MUSC 487 - Wind Symphony Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion) Choose one of the following Secondary Instrument electives:
MUAI 211 - Applied Instrument Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
MUAP 211 - Applied Piano Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
MUAV 211 - Applied Voice Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
Senior Spring - 12 hours
Elective - 3 hours
MUSC 447 - Literature of the Performance Major I Cr: 2
MUSC 492 - Senior Recital for Music Performance Cr: 4 Choose one of the following Chamber Music electives:
MUSC 385 - Woodwind Ensemble Cr: 1
MUSC 388 - Brass Choir Cr: 1
MUSC 389 - Percussion Ensemble Cr: 1
MUSC 493 - Chamber Music-Various Ensembles Cr: 1
MUSC 499 - Jazz Ensemble Cr: 1 Choose one of the following Major Ensemble electives (Must accrue 1 credit hour):
MUSC 380 - Symphonic Band Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion)
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2 (for strings)
MUSC 487 - Wind Symphony Cr: 1-2 (for winds and percussion) Choose one of the following Secondary Instrument electives:
MUAI 212 - Applied Instrument Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
MUAP 212 - Applied Piano Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
MUAV 212 - Applied Voice Study: Secondary Instrument Cr: 1
Notes
For Major Ensemble electives, students must enroll in MUSC 380, MUSC 390, MUSC 396, or MUSC 487 for eight terms. Only one credit hour may be applied to the degree each semester.
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all MUAI, MUAP, MUAV, MUSC, and PIAN courses.
General Notes
All bachelor’s degrees must include 40 hours at the 300/400 level.
All bachelor’s degrees require at least one life science course and one physical science course from the Natural Sciences area of the General Education Core Curriculum.
All degree and graduation requirements may be found on the Academic Regulations page.
Perform with music companies, professional orchestras, chamber or popular music ensembles, service bands and touring productions. From music composition to production and retail, McNeese music majors are prepared for a diverse job market and are well-equipped for graduate programs in music.
Potential Job Titles or Employers
Musicians, Singers and Lyricists
Composers
Concertmasters and Section Leaders
Private Instructors and Applied Music Teachers
Audio and Video Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians
Music Therapists
Talent Scout or Agent
Health Insurance: 500 $ per year
