Music Education, BS

Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Major: Music Education

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Music Education is a professional degree designed for students passionate about teaching music in K–12 schools. This fully accredited program offers a rigorous and sequential curriculum integrating academic instruction, critical thinking, and extensive hands-on teaching experiences. Students develop comprehensive skills in music theory, composition, general musicianship, music history, arranging and orchestrating, improvisation, conducting, and performance. The intensive four-year degree program leads to teacher licensure and prepares graduates to become knowledgeable, reflective, and effective music educators.

Program Highlights

  • Practical Classroom Experience and Early Fieldwork
    Students gain hands-on teaching experience beginning in introductory courses, with fieldwork opportunities continuing throughout the program. Experiential learning is grounded in current research and best practices.

  • Conservatory-Level Instruction and Liberal Arts Framework
    Through the Joint Music Program with the internationally renowned Cleveland Institute of Music, students receive conservatory-level training in performance, theory, and eurhythmics. This is complemented by a broad liberal arts education in the humanities, literature, history, social sciences, and foreign languages through the College of Arts and Sciences.

  • Outstanding Ensemble and Performance Opportunities
    Students develop their musicianship by participating in a wide range of ensembles, including orchestra, band, choir, and jazz.

  • Personalized Faculty Mentorship
    Students work closely with full-time faculty who specialize in choral, general, and instrumental music education and are dedicated to supporting their growth as future educators.

  • Specialized Facilities and Resources
    Students take advantage of advanced technology and a dedicated music education resource center designed to support teaching and learning.

  • Professional Licensure and Portability
    Graduates are eligible for multi-age licensure in Ohio, with the option to transfer licensure to more than 40 other states.

  • Active Professional Organizations
    Music education majors engage in leadership and professional development through student chapters of NAfME Collegiate and the Ohio Collegiate Music Education Association (OCMEA).

  • Nationally Recognized Accreditation
    The Bachelor of Science program in music education is approved by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

​Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the BS in Music Education will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions expected of effective music educators. These outcomes align with national and state teaching standards (InTASC and OSTP).

  • Students will be able to understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
  • Students will be able to use understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
  • Students will be able to work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self- motivation.
  • Students will be able to understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
  • Students will be able to understand how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
  • Students will be able to understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision-making.
  • Students will be able to plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
  • Students will be able to understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
  • Students will be able to engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to continually evaluate their practice, particularly the effects of their choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapt their practice to meet the needs of each learner.
  • Students will be able to seek appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Admission

To apply for the BS in Music Education, applicants must:

  • Submit the CWRU Application and Music Arts Supplement, which includes a digital questionnaire and video audition on the primary instrument or voice.

  • Complete a live interview and audition.

For detailed application and audition information, please refer to the Undergraduate Applications page.

Advising and Student Resources

Undergraduate students in the BS in Music Education program are supported by a variety of tools and resources: 

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.