Program Overview

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Music Education

The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education is designed for those who plan to teach music in elementary or secondary schools. This concentration covers vocal/choral, instrumental, and classroom music education, offering a broad educational background combined with the development of musical and performance skills. The program includes a teaching internship that leads to state certification.

Curriculum

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation. Students selecting this option must complete 94 credits in Studies in Music and Professional Education, as follows:

Studies in Music (64 credits)

• 7 semesters of the principal applied music area (instrument or voice must be selected from MUS 210 and 410 A-W, 2 credits per semester (14 credits total)
• 7 semesters of MUS 300: Music Convocation
• Senior recital MUS 450 (capstone)
• Also required are 7 semesters of major ensembles appropriate to the principal applied music area, at 0-1 credit per semester. Major ensembles include:
  • MUS 291: Marching Band
  • MUS 292: Concert Band
  • MUS 293: University Chorus
  • MUS 394: Symphonic Wind Ensemble
  • MUS 395: Concert Choir
  • MUS 396: Jazz Studio Ensemble
  • MUS 397: University Symphony Orchestra Note: No more than two semesters of MUS 291 and/or 396 can count toward the major ensemble requirement.

Additional course requirements are:

• MUS 115: Musicianship Lab I
• MUS 116: Music Theory I
• MUS 117: Musicianship Lab II
• MUS 118: Music Theory II
• MUS 119: Introduction to the Music Profession
• MUS 169: Percussion Methods
• MUS 170: Guitar Methods
• MUS 173: Voice Methods
• MUS 175: String Methods
• MUS 177: Woodwind Methods
• MUS 179: Brass Methods
• MUS 215: Musicianship Lab III
• MUS 216: Music Theory III
• MUS 217: Musicianship Lab IV
• MUS 218: Music Theory IV
• MUS 220: Music as Global Culture
• MUS 222: History of Classical Music
• MUS 235: Introduction to Music Teaching
• MUS 239: Music, Gesture & Sound
• MUS 322: Genre as Identity in 20th and 21st Century Music
• MUS 311: Choral Conducting Lab
• MUS 312: Instrumental Conducting Lab
• MUS 416: Form and Analysis or MUS 417: Orchestration

Professional Education (30 credits)

Students pursuing the music education option must apply for admission to the teacher certification program through the School of Education.

Required courses are:

• MUS 340: Ensemble Methods and Materials
• MUS 376: Field Experience in Elementary Music Education
• MUS 476: Field Experience in Secondary Music Education
• EDC 250: Supervised Preprofessional Field Experience
• EDC 484: Supervised Student Teaching
• EDC 485: Seminar in Teaching

The piano proficiency examinations or MUS 171, 172, 271, and 272, and all courses required for the music education option must be successfully completed before supervised student teaching seminar (EDC 485).

Licensure and Certification

Individuals seeking state licensure will need to complete all certification requirements prior to certification, including meeting all licensure testing requirements. All states have multiple requirements for teacher licensure, often including the completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program, specific licensure tests, and other requirements.

Out-Of-State Certification

The curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for licensure in the states of Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and Maryland. The applicable licensing board in these states may impose additional requirements on candidates prior to granting a license. For other states or territories, it is recommended to investigate the requirements with the respective licensing board.