Program Overview

Music Education Program

The music education major is designed to prepare students to become elementary and secondary school music teachers. The faculty of the Department of Music Education has identified three primary learning outcomes: effective teaching, musicianship, and critical thinking.

Admission as a Music Education Major

While all music education majors should begin the program of study as entering freshmen (pre-music education), formal admission does not occur until after enrollment in MUED 2400, which is generally taken in the sophomore year. Enrollment in MUED 2400 is based on the student's academic standing and performance achievement. Specifically, these include:

• GPA of 2.5;
• GPA of 3.00 for all courses with a MUED prefix;
• GPA of 2.5 in MUCT 1410 (Aural Skills I) and MUCT 1420 (Aural Skills II);
• GPA of 2.5 for all Music Core courses taken prior to MUED 2400;
• Satisfactory progress in applied study (through regularly scheduled applied juries, which determine performance achievement).

Formal Admission as a Music Education Major

An admission interview to assess the academic progress and readiness of the student to enter the music education program occurs through the Music Education Sophomore Review process completed during MUED 2400. The music education faculty will review a portfolio submitted by each student, which documents evidence of skill development in the areas of teaching effectiveness, musicianship, critical thinking, and professional dispositions.

Specialization in Music Education

All bachelor of music degree specializations in music education prepare students for licensure to teach music in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Three degree specializations include:

• Choral - For those who wish to teach junior and senior high school choral ensembles.
• Instrumental - For those who wish to teach bands and/or orchestras at elementary and secondary levels.
• Classroom/General Music - For those who wish to teach elementary and secondary school general music.

Degree Requirements

To graduate in four years, a student must take approximately 34 hours of required coursework each year. Music education majors usually take between 16 and 18 credit hours per semester. The total number of hours for each specialization varies from a minimum of 122 semester hours depending on the specialization area.

Selecting a Degree Specialization

Students are required to select a degree specialization (i.e., choral, instrumental, or classroom/general) as entering freshmen. Selection is determined in consultation with an advisor and is based upon the student's teaching interests and the proficiency or level of achievement in a specific area of instrumental or vocal performance as determined by the entrance audition.

General Studies

Students are required to complete the BG Perspective program, including two courses in natural sciences, two courses in social and behavioral sciences, two courses in humanities and arts, one course in cultural diversity, one BG Perspective elective, one Quantitative Literacy course selected from QL Group A (Recommended) and WRIT 1120 (writing proficiency).

Music Core Requirements

All music education majors are expected to complete the music core, which includes:

• Music theory MUCT 1510, 1520, 2510, 2520 (8)
• Aural skills MUCT 1410, 1420, 2410, 2420 (8)
• Music literature MUCT 2610, 2620, 3610 (7)
• Jazz pedagogy MUSP 2190 (2) or Jazz MUCT 2370* (3)
• World music MUCT 2360 (2)
• Total 22-27 hours

Professional Specialization Requirements

All specializations require:

• Music, Field Experience MUED 2400. Introduction to Music Education. Total: 3 hours.
• Methods See specializations below (choral, classroom/general, instrumental).
• Student teaching MUED 4970. Eligibility requirements for student teaching are specified under Student teaching in this section of the Undergraduate Catalog. Total: 12 hours.

Additional Professional Specialization Requirements

Specific to the specialization:

• Choral specialization (vocal emphasis) MUED 2400, 3440, 3450; MUED 4590; MUSP 3100; 11 hours of techniques classes; 3-5 hours of class piano; functional proficiencies I, II, and III; and one hour of studio piano.
• Classroom/general specialization MUED 2400, 3460, 3470; 11 hours of techniques classes; 3-5 hours of class piano; functional proficiencies I and III; and one hour of studio piano.
• Instrumental specialization MUED 2400, 3420, 3430-band, 3480, 3490-strings; 11 hours of techniques classes; 3-5 hours of class piano; and functional proficiencies I, II, and III.

Professional Education Requirements

To ensure adequate professional preparation for a career in teaching, the following courses are required: EDFI 3020, 2980; 4080; MUED 4600.

Performance Requirements

In addition to specific course requirements, music education majors must meet the following performance-related requirements:

• Performance Jury Examinations Students in music education must have a major performance emphasis and must pass an examination in that area at jury examination times.
• Sophomore Performance Review At the end of the fourth semester of applied lessons, students are evaluated during the jury exam for advancement to upper division applied study (4000 level).
• Recital A half recital (or its equivalent) is required of all music education majors.
• Ensemble Participation All music majors are required to audition and enroll in a major ensemble each semester they are enrolled for applied lessons.

Functional Keyboard Requirements

Music education majors are required to pass three functional piano proficiency examinations:

• Proficiency I: (freshman level) scales, chord progressions, beginning harmonization, and sight reading.
• Proficiency II: (sophomore level) improvisation of keyboard accompanying styles, harmonization, score reading, and instrument transposition.
• Proficiency III: (sophomore level) classroom, ensemble, and solo accompanying.

Additional Requirements

• Second major Ordinarily, students in music education do not pursue a second major; however, a second major can be pursued provided the student is willing to take additional credits beyond the minimum required for graduation.
• Field experiences Field-based experiences are an essential part of professional teacher preparation.
• Techniques Classes Music education majors are required to take the following techniques classes: MUED 1310, 1410, 1450, 1710, 1720, and 1800.
• Conducting requirements All music education majors must pass second semester conducting (MUSP 3060) with at least a grade of "C."
• Methods requirements Music education majors must pass all required methods courses (MUED 2400 and applicable music methods courses) with at least a grade of "C."
• Student teaching The requirements for student teaching in music are established by the State of Ohio, the College of Education and Human Development, and the Department of Music Education.