Bachelor of Science in Music Education

The Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree leads to provisional PK-12 certification in the State of Connecticut. The program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in music education.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Bachelor of Science in Music Education Degree Program

The program goals include:

1. To prepare students to become highly skilled teaching professionals.
2. To prepare students to become highly skilled performers on their principal instrument.
3. To give students a comprehensive musical education which includes experiences in traditional ensembles, jazz and contemporary ensembles, conducting, form & analysis, music history, music of diverse cultures, pedagogy, music technology, composition, improvisation and professional development.
4. To increase students’ understanding and awareness of the arts in relation to society, in particular the education system, thereby developing life-long advocates of the arts.

Students wishing to pursue this degree program must first be admitted by audition and interview.

Self-declared music education majors must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher upon the completion of 60 credits of course work in order to remain a self-declared education major. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be notified by the dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. Students must achieve a GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to be accepted into all professional education programs as candidates for teacher certification.

Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Music Education –– Certification PK-12

Completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours including the exercise science requirement, and requirements in music, music education, and education as specified by course number and title in the eight-semester sequence shown below.

Recommended Sequence:

* Minimum grade of “B” required.

** Students must have been accepted into the Professional Program to register for these courses.

*** Or other MED workshop course in consultation with adviser.

Special Music Education Requirements:

1. 1. A minimum grade of “C” is required in each of the following courses for all music education majors.

1. 1. Apply and meet the criteria for professional program acceptance and present a minimum grade of “C” in each of the following courses:

1. 1. Apply and meet the criteria for professional program acceptance and present a minimum grade of “B” in each of the following courses:

1. 1. Students applying for acceptance into the professional program must have passed the following music courses:

1. 1. The following deadline dates must be met by students applying for professional teacher education program acceptance.

1. During their senior year, students will enter the student teaching phase of the program, at which time all major course requirements must be completed. In order to register for student teaching, music education majors must present at least a 3.0 GPA in their academic and professional major requirements taken at WestConn. Students are advised not to register for other courses or work in other jobs during this semester. A student teaching application, available in the Office of E&EP in Westside 249 and approved by the appropriate music education adviser, must be filed with the chairperson of the E&EP department during the semester just prior to the student teaching semester. The student teaching requirement for music consists of two seven and a half week assignments. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the schools to which they are assigned for student teaching.
2. Students earning less than a “P” grade in student teaching may be required to complete additional student teaching and/or course work before receiving a recommendation for graduation and certification. Students must present at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in academic and professional required courses to graduate as a music education major.
3. After completing the academic program and successfully completing student teaching, the PRAXIS II examination must be successfully passed. Although not a requirement for graduation, passing scores on the appropriate Praxis II exam are necessary for program completion and subsequent recommendation for certification.