Music Teacher Education Programs

(found programs from 754 schools)

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Below is a directory (broken down by state) of all of the Music Teacher Education programs we could find, from over 1,700 accredited colleges and universities across the US.

Introduction to Music Education Careers

Since the dawn of humanity, music has provided people with a vehicle for artistic, emotional and intellectual expression.

In the modern world, studies have linked music education to a host of desirable outcomes including higher SAT scores, lower drop out rates, better emotional health, higher GPAs, and greater financial achievement in adulthood.

A career as a music educator offers those with musical talent and ability an appealing opportunity to continue studying and practicing in their chosen discipline while opening the world of music - and all its joys - to a new generation.

Music Education Job Description

Music teachers are employed in a variety of capacities from elementary classroom music teacher to high school band director. They work in public and private schools at all levels teaching general music, vocal music, instrumental music, or some combination of these specialties.

Vocal music teachers work with individuals or groups of students developing vocal performance skills. Instrumental music teachers teach beginning, intermediate, and advanced technique classes and direct band, orchestra or small ensembles.

Music teachers frequently put in additional time outside the regular school day for student auditions, rehearsals and concerts.

Music Education Requirements

To teach music in a public school, you will need at least a bachelor's degree in music or music education. Many music teachers have a master's degree as well.

MENC: The National Association for Music Education recommends that students interested in pursuing a music major at the college level be able to read music and have private instruction in piano and another primary instrument or voice.

In addition, you will need to be a serious student of music in both theory and practice. In an article for MENC about what it takes to be a music major, Louis A. Menchaca, associate professor of music and director of instrumental music at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, identified four key areas which music majors must master: music history, music theory, applied studio study and keyboard skills.

Music teachers must be competent in a variety of instruments and vocal techniques, so teacher preparation programs expose students to a variety of musical instruments and skills - not just the student's specialty instrument.

All 50 states require music teachers to be licensed. Exact requirements vary but most states require a bachelor's degree, student teaching internship and a passing score on a comprehensive exam such as the Praxis. You should check with the education department of the state in which you plan to teach for more specific information.

Music Education Career Outlook

The job outlook is generally sunny for prospective music teachers. A 2008 study by the American Association for Employment in Education identified general music, vocal music and instrumental music as teaching specialties with a balanced supply and demand. This means candidates in this field can reasonably expect to find a desirable position - especially if they are willing to relocate.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that median annual wages of elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers ranged from $47,100 to $51,180 in 2008. Many music teachers supplement their regular salary by sponsoring extracurricular activities such as marching band or by offering private music lessons.

Experienced music educators also may choose to pursue certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. NBPTS certification does not replace state certification. Instead, it is an additional certificate that recognizes a higher level of professional experience and achievement and sometimes results in a pay increase.

Online Music Teacher Education Programs

If you currently hold a bachelor's degree and are a certified music educator, you can opt to maintain your current position and still earn a graduate degree through an online university. Bachelor's degrees in music education are not available online, but several schools offer online degrees at the master's level, and a few schools offer doctoral degrees.

The way online programs are structured varies somewhat between schools, but the majority of online programs in music education include a capstone project and/or internship once all other units are successfully completed. The time it takes to finish an online degree depends greatly on a student's work ethic and schedule. Master's and doctorate degrees may take as little as 18 months or as long as two-and-a-half years to complete. Classes cover topics such as the psychology and sociology of music, music history, the philosophy of music education, music technology, advanced conducting, music theory and pedagogy.

Online degree programs are ideal for music educators who already have experience in the field and are self-driven and disciplined. Those who learn better with the structure and discipline of the classroom environment may wish to enroll in on-campus courses.

Three options for online programs in music education include those offered by Boston University, Kent State University and the East Carolina University School of Music.

Boston University's Master of Music in music education program is designed for people who already have a bachelor's degree in music education and want to advance their careers through higher learning. Students have the opportunity to interact with professors and colleagues through email, message boards and online chat sessions.

Kent State University also offers a Master of Music in music education. In addition to possessing a bachelor's degree in music education, applicants also must be fully licensed in at least one state and have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. In 2011, Kent State was ranked among the nation's top 80 public research universities by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

The Master of Music in music education program offered by the East Carolina University School of Music consists of 36 semester hours and includes courses in curriculum issues, trends in music education and pedagogy.


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Are we missing any schools or programs? If so, please let us know! We appreciate your help in making this the best directory of Education Degree Programs on the web. You can send us an email at schools@educationdegree.com.