Music Education majors typically take the following courses in the fall semester of their first year:

First-Year Experience Learning Community Courses

  1. Philosophy (PHIL 201)
  2. English Composition (ENG 101) OR Theology (TRS 201)

Why am I taking these classes?   Honors students take equivalent honors courses.

Major Courses

You will need to choose and register for these courses.

  1. FYE General Education courses (6cr.)
  2. MUPI 4XX Private Instruction, (3cr.)* 
  3. MUS 121 Ear Training I, (2cr.)**
  4. MUS 123 Harmony I, (2cr.)**
  5. MUS 150 Field Experiences in Music Education (1cr.)
  6. MUS 183 Class Piano I (1cr.)***
  7. MUS 470b, University Singers, (1cr.) OR MUS 480 Orchestra OR MUS 480b Wind Ensemble
  8. MUS 118 (3cr.), 148 (1cr.), 335 (3cr.), 476 (2cr.), 117 (3cr.), 170 (1cr.), 172(3cr.), 173 (3cr.), 174 (3cr.) 

(The above MUS courses are by rotation. If a three credit option is desired the student should forego piano (MUS 183). 

EDUC 251 OR 271 OR 381, (3cr.) (highlighted courses required for Instrumental tracks)

Total= 19-21 Credits

You will need to choose and register for these courses. You will also need to take the online Theory Evaluation placement test between June 10th and June 30th (see details below). The results of music placement exams will come out in July.

*MUPI course numbers are specific to the instrument/instructor - VP/MT students should wait to register, all others should reach out to Christie Graham (grahamce@cua.edu) to be assigned an instructor. 

** Harmony I and Ear Training I are typical entry level theory courses however students who do not meet the requirements will need to take MUS 101 Fundamentals of Music theory Spring of their first year. Students may take another elective by advisement.

Studying music education at Catholic University will allow you to develop technically and artistically while also improving your ability to think critically, write and speak eloquently, and solve problems creatively.

Rigorous musical training is accomplished within a broader liberal arts curriculum. Courses in theology, philosophy, literature, and English composition round out your musical education. As you develop your ear, tune your voice, and polish your movement, you'll also study great works of literature, theology, and philosophy, allowing you to experience beauty in other forms, refine your critical faculties, and develop the cultural knowledge necessary for a practicing musician and a thoughtful human being.

1 st Semester Courses

Most of your music classes progress sequentially. It's important, therefore, to get and stay on track. Courses you take this semester will lay the foundation for much of the work you will do here. Accordingly, we have registered you for all of your courses this semester. Please do not try to change your enrollment. You do, however, need to take the Theory Evaluation Test (see below).

You will be registered for the following courses:

Studio X: Master classes, information sessions, and workshops.

Private Instruction

Field Experience

Performing Ensemble

Piano: Class or private instruction

Music Education Technique Course: By advisement

Music Theory: Based on placement. All entering freshmen will take the Theory Evaluation Test (TET) online through the university's Blackboard site. The TET must be completed for proper course level placement. The TET may be taken only once, and may not be repeated. Following your completion of the TET, you will be enrolled in the appropriate music theory course.

Instructions for the TET

By now, you should have received your CUA network ID and password. Your network ID is the first part of your CUA email address and if you don't remember it, you can reset your password. To take the Theory Evaluation Test, you will need to have this ID and password set up and handy. If you have trouble, please contact the Help Desk at (202) 319-4357.

  1. Open up any web browser, and go to the university Blackboard site.
  2. Click “user login”, located on the left portion of your screen and log in using your CUA network ID and password.
  3. On the right side of the screen, you should see a list of “My Courses”.
  4. Click on “Theory Evaluation Test”. You will be taken directly to the Assignments page, where you will see a link to the TET and instructions. Please note that the link you should click on will be the title Theory Evaluation Test, in red. Please read the instructions below this link before proceeding further.

As the TET instructions explain, you are limited to one hour, and the exam must be taken in one sitting. We've put together some information about what is on the test and how to prepare for it.