
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University‛s General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
| Competency | Requirements | GCU Course Options | Total Credits |
| University Foundations | Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community. Students with fewer than 24 credits will fulfill the University Foundations requirement with a specified lower-division course. An upper-division selection will be made available to students that enter the university with more than 24 credits. | UNV-103/303, University Success: 4 credits | 4 credits |
| Effective Communication | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition. | UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4 credits ENG-105, English Composition I: 4 credits ENG-106, English Composition II: 4 credits |
9-12 credits |
| Christian Worldview | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV 101. | CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4 credits | 4 credits |
| Critical Thinking | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher. | PHI-105, 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 4 credits MAT-134, Applications of Algebra: 4 credits BIO-220, Environmental Science: 4 credits |
11-12 credits |
| Global Awareness, Perspective and Ethics | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, crosscultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). | HIS-221, Themes in U. S. History: 4 credits PSY-100, Psychology in Everyday Life: 4 credits SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4 credits If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course. |
6-8 credits |
| Course # | Course Title | Course Description | Credits |
| MUS-125 | Music Theory I | This course is a study in rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation; basic keyboard performance; and sight singing. Computer-assisted ear training is utilized. Study is devoted to the structure of music which includes harmony, melody, form, and rhythm. Skill development in analysis and composition is emphasized. The music of the "common practice period‟ will be studied. Prerequisite: Theory Placement Examination. | 4 |
| MAP-120 | Private Piano Study Majors I | This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor‛s approval. | 2 |
| MVC-109 | Class Voice I | This course is designed as class instruction for students with limited or no previous voice training. Instruction includes the study of piano technique and literature designed to pass Part I of the Voice Proficiency Examination. The voice proficiency requirements are identified in the music handbook. | 1 |
| MUS-155 | Music Theory II | This course emphasizes skill development through analysis and composition. Prerequisite: MUS-125. | 4 |
| MAP-130 | Private Piano Study Majors II | This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor‛s approval. | 2 |
| MVC-259 | Class Voice II | This course is a continuation of MVC 109. It includes passing Part II of the Voice Proficiency Examination. Prerequisite: MVC-109. | 1 |
| MEN-122B | Choral Ensemble 1B | This course gives students opportunities to develop their musical skills through the rehearsal and performance in a choral ensemble, including Choral Union, Grand Canyon Singers, New Life, and University Chorale. Participation in these groups is determined by audition. | 0 |
| MUS-355 | Music History I | This writing-intensive course is a survey of music from primitive times to the mid-18th century. It presents the growth of music in the Middle Ages and Renaissance through the contrapuntal schools, culminating in the work of J. S. Bach and the development of opera and oratorio during the baroque period. Prerequisite: MUS-125. | 4 |
| MUS-260 | Music Theory III | This course emphasizes advanced rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation; basic keyboard performance; and sight singing. Computer-assisted ear training is utilized. Music examples are selected from Bach through Wagner. This course also includes an advanced study in analysis and part writing utilizing modulation and chromatic harmony. Prerequisite: MUS-155. | 4 |
| MEN-222A | Choral Ensemble 2A | This course gives students opportunities to develop their musical skills through the rehearsal and performance in a choral ensemble, including Choral Union, Grand Canyon Singers, New Life, and University Chorale. Participation in these groups is determined by audition. | 0 |
| MVC-359 | Class Voice III | This course is a continuation of MVC 259. It includes passing Part III of the Voice Proficiency Examination. Prerequisite: MVC-259. | 1 |
| MAP-220 | Private Piano Study Majors III | This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor‛s approval. | 2 |
| MUS-365 | Music History II | This writing-intensive course is a survey of music from the mid-l8th century to modern times. Study is devoted to the rise of homophonic music, the art song, the nationalistic schools, and the principal composers of the classical, romantic, and contemporary periods. Prerequisite: MUS-355. | 4 |
| MUS-275 | Music Theory IV | This course emphasizes ear training material and includes music from the 20th century. It also includes an analysis and composition of music of the late 19th through the 20th century. Prerequisite: MUS-260. | 4 |
| MEN-222B | Choral Ensemble 2B | This course gives students opportunities to develop their musical skills through the rehearsal and performance in a choral ensemble, including Choral Union, Grand Canyon Singers, New Life, and University Chorale. Participation in these groups is determined by audition. | 0 |
| MVC-459 | Class Voice IV | This course is a continuation of MVC 359. It includes passing Part IV of the Voice Proficiency Examination. Prerequisite: MVC-359. | 1 |
| MAP-230 | Private Piano Study Majors IV | This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor‛s approval. | 2 |
| MUS-370 | Piano Literature I | This course is a survey of baroque and classical periods. Emphasis is on learning the standard piano repertoire through reading and listening assignments. Prerequisite: MUS-355. | 2 |
| MUS-390 | Form and Analysis | This course is a study of the various organizational structures in music, from motive, phrase, and period, through binary and ternary forms to the most complex, such as the variation, rondo, and sonata. Works of the masters are analyzed from the standpoint of form. Prerequisite: MUS-275. | 4 |
| MEN-322A | Choral Ensemble 3A | This course gives students opportunities to develop their musical skills through the rehearsal and performance in a choral ensemble, including Choral Union, Grand Canyon Singers, New Life, and University Chorale. Participation in these groups is determined by audition. | 0 |
| MAP-320 | Private Piano Study Majors V | This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor‛s approval. | 2 |
| MUS-450 | Conducting | This course is a study of the fundamentals and techniques of conducting. Special emphasis is placed on conducting choral music and the special techniques required to conduct vocal groups. Prerequisite: MUS-390. | 4 |
| MUS-377 | Piano Literature II | This course is a survey of romantic and contemporary periods. Emphasis is on learning the standard piano repertoire through reading and listening assignments. Prerequisite: MUS-355. | 2 |
| MEN-322B | Choral Ensemble 3B | This course gives students opportunities to develop their musical skills through the rehearsal and performance in a choral ensemble, including Choral Union, Grand Canyon Singers, New Life, and University Chorale. Participation in these groups is determined by audition. | 0 |
| MAP-330 | Private Piano Study Majors VI | This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor‛s approval. | 2 |
| MAP-390 | Junior Recital | A formal, public recital, sponsored by the music department, in which the student presents a solo recital approximately 25-40-minutes in length. The recital would normally be given in the second semester of the Junior year. For vocalists and pianists, the recital must be performed from memory, though one work, especially a chamber piece, may be played with the score. Student must concurrently be enrolled in the appropriate level of private instruction. | 0 |
| MUS-380 | Counterpoint | This course is a survey of contrapuntal practice from the 18th century. Background reference is made to early polyphonic music. Emphasis is given to 16th century species counterpoint and to analyzing and writing inventions and fugues in the 18th century style of J. S. Bach. An introduction is provided for the use of counterpoint in 20th century composition. Prerequisite: MUS-275. | 4 |
| MEN-422A | Choral Ensemble 4A | This course gives students opportunities to develop their musical skills through the rehearsal and performance in a choral ensemble, including Choral Union, Grand Canyon Singers, New Life, and University Chorale. Participation in these groups is determined by audition. | 0 |
| MAP-420 | Private Piano Study Majors VII | This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor‛s approval. | 2 |
| MEN-422B | Choral Ensemble 4B | This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor‛s approval. | 0 |
| MAP-430 | Private Piano Study Majors VIII | This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor‛s approval. | 2 |
| MAP-490 | Senior Recital | A formal, public recital, sponsored by the music department, in which the student presents a solo recital approximately 60-minutes in length. The recital would normally be given in the Senior year. For vocalists and pianists, the recital must be performed from memory, though one work, especially a chamber piece, may be played with the score. Student must concurrently be enrolled in the appropriate level of private instruction. | 0 |
| Required Course Total Credit: | 60 | ||
| General Education Requirements: | 34 - 40 credits |
| Courses: | 60 credits |
| Open Elective Credits: | 28 - 34 credits |
| Total Degree Requirements: | 120 credits |
This program is offered in the following formats or locations:
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Program Disclosure
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* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.
Grand Canyon University © 2012 - All Rights Reserved. GCU is an accredited university founded in 1949. We are a Christian university and offer online degree programs and campus based classes. As a private university in Arizona, GCU has six colleges offering business degree programs including an Executive MBA, health science degrees, liberal arts degrees, doctorate degrees, nursing programs, and teaching programs. Our Performing Arts College offers fine arts and production degree programs. GCU is a military friendly school and offers military tuition rates.
