Music Education

Share your passion of music to tomorrow's great musicians!

Music inspires, enriches, and elevates our lives. It is an essential part of our culture, and the music education field exists to ensure this passion is passed on to the next generation. Share your love of music with today’s youth – and watch as it changes their lives for the better! A degree in music education provides the perfect foundation for a fulfilling career and future. From classical music to modern, you’ll be challenged with learning theory and technique as you work with faculty members who are accomplished musicians. You will graduate with the certification you need to become a licensed music teacher and leave your mark on the next generation of young musicians!

Anchor: Stats

5%

Industry Growth

96%

Receive Financial Aid

Anchor: Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. ��ϲ�� requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Music Education

In this program, you'll study the theory and craft of music and learn about great musicians of the past and present. You’ll also get hands-on experience with the craft, working with our experienced professors to develop your own musical talent. Over the course of your degree program, you’ll combine music courses with education courses that will give you the tools you need to effectively shape young people's understanding and appreciation of music, pinpoint their musical strengths, and coach them to a higher skill level musically.

Course Requirements

** 42 Credit Hours in professional education

Music Education majors should take as a substitution in professional education and/or general education requirements.
Music majors must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in prerequisite courses.
Transfer students may have the pattern of prerequisites altered at the discretion of the Department Chair.
Voice majors must take - Class Voice and Diction
Piano majors will substitute - Piano Pedagogy for - Class Piano I and - Class Piano II
All Music Education majors: All candidates pursuing the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education MUST be accepted into the Teacher Education program before they will be allowed to register for - Fundamentals of Secondary Education or ELEM 430, Classroom Management and Behavior.

Music Performance Scholarships

Music Scholarships are available to students who plan to participate in music ensembles at UC. An audition is required to apply for a scholarship.

Learn More

A student performs with her guitar during a music event

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Program Mission

Understand the basics of music theory and composition as well as the basics of primary education philosophies.

Grasp the basic concepts and skills concerning the emphasis area of music education.

Develop your musical performing skills and comfortability leading a classroom.

Learn how to create and implement lesson plans, classroom management skills, and examinations.

Strengthen your oral, written, organizational, and cooperative skills.

Anchor: Career Outcomes

Music Education Careers & Outcomes

Music Teacher: $53,260

As a music teacher, you’ll instruct students in public or private schools and provide musical education, teaching both performance and music theory. In addition, you may lead various ensembles, like choirs or marching bands. You’ll pass your knowledge of singing, playing various instruments, reading music, and understanding musical concepts and styles to the next generation of musicians.

Private Music Teacher: $57,532

As a private music teacher, you’ll teach the art of music to individuals or groups outside a school setting. Some private music teachers specialize in specific instruments or areas of music. Private music teachers offer a more individualized instructional environment where students can get feedback and further develop their musical talents.

Choir Director: $44,759

As a choir director, you’ll be responsible for leading and directing a choir during performances and concerts as well as scheduling and organizing rehearsals, selecting musical pieces, and managing budgets.

Conductor: $43,581

Similar to a choir director, as a conductor, you’ll lead musicians in musical performances and concerts. You will develop an orchestra and direct individual musicians to make the performance as a whole come together while listening critically and directing the interpretation of the music. As a conductor, you could lead local orchestras or teach in a variety of different learning environments.

Music Minister: $30,071

As a music minister in a church or place of worship, some of your responsibilities will include planning, directing and rehearsing church choirs, worship teams, and musicians. You’ll oversee pianists, guitarists, drummers and singers before and during services, as well as having the opportunity to teach, coach and mentor church members through music to develop their talents and spiritual lives.

Music Therapist: $51,839

As a music therapist, you’ll use musical theory and practice and apply them in a therapeutic setting, using a combination of songwriting, lyrics, imagery and conversation to assess the emotional and mental well-being of their patients. Through musical application, music therapists help patients learn, grow, heal, and further their treatment.