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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 Instrumental Music Education Majors
To prepare you for teaching in a classroom or instructional setting, you will have access to these features of the music education degree program at McNeese.
Financial aid and scholarships:
Offering a high-value, affordable education, McNeese has one of the lowest costs of attendance in Louisiana, Southeast Texas and the U.S. Plus, you may be able to get additional help paying for college from Band and Choral Service Awards, the Department of Performing Arts Scholarship and the University Special Achievement Award in Music. Learn more from the Office of Financial Aid.
Applied learning:
Experience teaching music for an entire year in a student-teaching residency, which allows you to survey the full range of classroom operations, from the introduction of instruments to concert performances. Other opportunities for hands-on learning include field experiences in instrumental pedagogy courses dedicated to strings and woodwind instruments, as well as student-staff roles in schools throughout the region.
Performance opportunities:
Audition for one or several of the more than two dozen McNeese music groups to practice and perform with. Performance ensembles include the Pride of McNeese Marching Band, The Zyde-Pokes, West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Alpine Horn Ensemble, Steel Band, Concert Chorale and Opera Workshop. Enjoy the spotlight in one of the on-campus performance venues: Bulber Auditorium, Tritico Theatre, Squires Recital Hall and the recently renovated Band Hall, home to the University Bands Program.
Modern programming
With one of the most impressive and expansive collections of professional-quality band and orchestral instruments in Louisiana, McNeese continues to modernize its music program to keep up with changes in the industry and ensure your teaching degree is highly valuable and marketable. Plans include new course work in relevant topics such as commercial music and entrepreneurship, upgraded digital technology and software, local partnerships with casinos and other venues that produce musical performances, and instruction from guest artists who teach individual lessons and virtual and on-campus clinics.
More info: Click here
Total Hours Required for Degree: 132
Freshman Fall - 14 hours
Natural Sciences General Education Elective - 3 hours (Must be a life science)
EDUC 110 - Portfolio Management for Teacher Education Programs and Certifications Cr: 0
ENGL 101 - English Composition I Cr: 3
MUAI 101 - Applied Instrument Study Cr: 2
MUSC 190 - Recitals and Concerts Cr: 0
MUSC 291 - Stringed Instrument Class Cr: 1
ORIN 101 - Freshman Orientation Cr: 0
PIAN 115 - Class Piano Cr: 1
Choose one of the following:
MATH 113 - College Algebra Cr: 3
MATH 170 - Precalculus College Algebra Cr: 3
Choose one of the following Major Ensemble Electives:
MUSC 390 - Marching Band Cr: 1-2
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2
Freshman Spring - 19 hours
ENGL 102 - English Composition II Cr: 3
MUED 226 - Introduction to Music Education in a Diverse Society 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
PSYC 261 - Adolescent Psychology Cr: 3
Choose one of the following:
MATH 231 - Elementary Probability and Statistical Inference Cr: 3
PHIL 102 - Critical Thinking Cr: 3
Choose one of the following Major Ensemble Electives:
MUSC 380 - Symphonic Band Cr: 1-2
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2
MUSC 487 - Wind Symphony Cr: 1-2
Teacher Education Requirements
Must achieve one of the following:
ACT ≥ 22;
SAT ≥ 1100 combined Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math; or
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (pass all three):
Reading (#5713) with a score ≥ 156.
Writing (#5723) with a score ≥ 162.
Mathematics (#5733) with a score ≥ 150.
Sophomore Fall - 17 hours
Natural Sciences General Education Elective - 3 hours (May be a life or physical science)
EDUC 200 - Entrance into Teacher Education Cr: 0
EDUC 203 - Theories and Principles of Learning and Teaching Cr: 3
MUAI 201 - Applied Instrument Study Cr: 2
MUSC 190 - Recitals and Concerts Cr: 0
MUSC 213 - Principles of Music II Cr: 3
MUSC 281 - Percussion Instrument Class Cr: 1
PIAN 215 - Class Piano Cr: 1
Choose one of the following:
COMM 201 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Cr: 3
COMM 205 - Interpersonal Communication Cr: 3
Choose one of the following Major Ensemble Electives:
MUSC 390 - Marching Band Cr: 1-2
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2
Teacher Education Requirements
EDUC 200 packet must be approved prior to enrolling in EDUC 300/400 level courses.
Sophomore Spring - 19 hours
EDUC 318 - Planning and Instruction for Literacy in the Content Area Cr: 2
EDUC 337 - Methods and Materials in Reading for K-12 Teachers Cr: 3
MUAI 202 - Applied Instrument Study Cr: 2
MUED 320 - Teaching Music in Elementary School for Diverse Learners, Grades K-5 Cr: 3
MUSC 190 - Recitals and Concerts Cr: 0
MUSC 214 - Principles of Music III Cr: 3
MUSC 361 - Brasswind Instrument Class Cr: 1
PIAN 216 - Class Piano Cr: 1
PSYC 260 - Child Psychology Cr: 3
Choose one of the following Major Ensemble Electives:
MUSC 380 - Symphonic Band Cr: 1-2
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2
MUSC 487 - Wind Symphony Cr: 1-2
Junior Fall - 18 hours
English Literature General Education Elective - 3 hours
MUAI 301 - Applied Instrument Study: Music Education Cr: 2
MUED 324 - Teaching Instrumental Music in Secondary School, Grades 6-12 Cr: 3
MUSC 190 - Recitals and Concerts Cr: 0
MUSC 308 - Conducting Cr: 2
MUSC 313 - Principles of Music IV Cr: 3
MUSC 362 - Music History and Literature I: Antiquity through Pre-Classic Period Cr: 3
MUSC 371 - Woodwind Instrument Class I Cr: 1
Choose one of the following Major Ensemble Electives:
MUSC 390 - Marching Band Cr: 1-2
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2
Teacher Education Requirements
Junior Spring - 18 hours
Note: MUED 425 requires 40 field experience hours.
EDUC 300 - Admission to Teacher Residency - Baccalaureate Cr: 0
MUAI 302 - Applied Instrument Study: Music Education Cr: 2
MUED 425 - Classroom Management and Organization in the Elementary/Secondary Music Education Classroom and Field Experience Cr: 3
MUSC 190 - Recitals and Concerts Cr: 0
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 372 - Woodwind Instrument Class II Cr: 1
MUSC 392 - Vocal Pedagogy for the Music Education Major Cr: 1
MUSC 402 - Instrumental Arranging Cr: 2
MUSC 408 - Instrumental Conducting Cr: 2
Choose one of the following Major Ensemble Electives:
MUSC 380 - Symphonic Band Cr: 1-2
MUSC 396 - Orchestra Cr: 1-2
MUSC 487 - Wind Symphony Cr: 1-2
Teacher Education Requirements
Senior Fall - 16 hours
Note: EDUC 351 requires 10 field experience hours, EDUC 469 requires 20 field experience hours, and MUED 470 requires a minimum of 60% of the instructional week in an assigned grade K-12 classroom completing residency hours.
Natural Sciences General Education Elective - 3 hours (Must be a physical science)
EDUC 351 - Educational Measurements Cr: 3
EDUC 469 - Field Study Project Cr: 2
EDUC 471 - Seminar-Student Teaching Residency I Cr: 1
MUED 411 - Teaching Band and Orchestra Literature Cr: 3
MUED 470 - Student Teaching Residency I Cr: 3
MUSC 490 - Recital for Music Education Majors Cr: 1
Senior Spring - 11 hours
Fine Arts General Education Elective - 3 hours (Must be ART or THEA)
EDUC 473 - Seminar-Student Teaching Residency II Cr: 1
MUED 472 - Student Teaching Residency II Cr: 3
Choose one of the following:
HIST 201 - American History to 1877 Cr: 3
HIST 202 - American History since 1877 Cr: 3
Choose one of the following:
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
Music education majors most often start off their careers as teachers, band directors and private instructors. McNeese graduates are also highly successful in graduate music programs specializing in fields of study such as music theory, composition and history. For example, alumni have furthered their studies at the following institutions:
Graduate Schools or Programs
Louisiana State University
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Lamar University
University of Arizona
University of North Texas
University of Missouri – Kansas City
Potential Job Titles or Employers
Public and Private Schools
Children’s Music Programs
Studios and Conservatories
Daycare and Recreation Centers
Health Insurance: 500 $ per year
