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 and arranging, general musicianship, music history, 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 for reciprocal licensure with approximately 40 other states.
  • Active Professional Organizations
    Music education majors engage in leadership and professional development through student chapters of NAfME Collegiate/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.

Combined Bachelor's/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.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.

The Bachelor of Science in Music Education (BS) requires a total of 125 credit hours (109 credit hours are devoted to music, music education, psychology, and professional education requirements; 16 credit hours are devoted to the Unified General Education Requirement) and is designed to educate professional teachers of music education in K-12 schools. The program meets the requirements of the Ohio Department of Education to prepare students to take state-mandated teacher exams (Ohio Assessments for Educators) and apply for teacher licensure. Graduates are eligible for the Multi-Age License in Music in Ohio and over 40 reciprocating states.

Requirements

Music Theory/Musicianship; Eurythmics:
MUTH 111Elements of Music Theory I3
MUTH 112Elements of Music Theory II3
MUTH 211Elements of Music Theory III3
MUTH 161Elements of Musicianship I1
MUTH 162Elements of Musicianship II1
MUTH 261Elements of Musicianship III1
MUDE 101Eurhythmics I1
MUDE 102Eurhythmics II1
Music History/Literature (must be taken in sequential order):
MUHI 201Music of Europe and the Americas to 18003
MUHI 202Music of Europe and the Americas after 18003
MUED 305World Music in Education3
Applied Music (primary lessons every semester except student teaching, department consent required):
MUAP 121Principal Performance Area I2
MUAP 122Principal Performance Area II2
MUAP 10Progress Jury Examination0
MUAP 221Principal Performance Area III2
MUAP 222Principal Performance Area IV2
MUAP 20Level 300 Applied Music Entrance Jury Exam0
MUAP 321Principal Level Performance Area V2
MUAP 322Principal Level Performance Area VI2
MUAP 323Principal Performance Area VII2
MUAP 35BS Music Education Jury Examination0
Recital Class component required (auto-enrolled) with each principal performance area. Participation in weekly Recital Class, including a performance once per academic year required.
Ensembles9
Primary Ensembles (every semester except student teaching): a
MUEN 382
Case Concert Choir
MUEN 383
Symphonic Winds
MUEN 385
Case/University Circle Orchestra
MUEN 389
Keyboard Ensemble
MUEN 355
Miscellaneous Ensembles
MUEN 395
Collegium Musicum
MUEN 396
Early Music Singers
MUEN 397
Baroque Orchestra
MUEN 370
Popular Music Ensemble
Additional Ensembles (two semesters, one full year): a
MUEN 324
Case Percussion Ensemble
MUEN 371A
Klezmer Music Ensemble
MUEN 371B
Klezmer Music Ensemble
MUEN 373
Jazz Ensemble I
MUEN 374
Jazz Ensemble II
MUEN 380A
Case Glee Club
MUEN 380B
Case Glee Club
MUEN 384
Spartan Marching Band
MUEN 386
Case Camerata Chamber Orchestra
MUEN 388A
University Chorale
MUEN 388B
University Chorale
MUEN 393
Baroque Chamber Ensembles
MUEN 394
Baroque Dance Ensemble
Music Education Sequence24
Methods:9
MUED 240
Foundations of Music Education
MUED 320
Technology Assisted Music Teaching and Learning
MUED 350
General Music Methods
MUED 355
Vernacular Music in Education
MUED 352
Instrumental Methods and Materials
or MUED 353
 Choral Methods and Materials
Conducting and Arranging:
MUED 275
Elements of Conducting
MUED 276
Advanced Conducting, Score Analysis and Rehearsal Techniques
MUED 310
Instrumental and Choral Arranging
Basic Skills & Pedagogy:12
MUED 200A
Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice
MUED 200B
Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar
MUED 200C
Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Brass
MUED 200E
Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Clarinet and Saxophone
MUED 200F
Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Double Reeds and Flute
MUED 200H
Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Strings
MUED 200J
Basic Skills & Pedagogy: Piano for Music Educators
MUED 200P
Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion
Field Experience (two semesters):
MUED 300Intensive Field Experience0
Student Teaching:
MUED 396AStudent Teaching in Music Education9
MUED 396BStudent Teaching Seminar in Music Education3
Professional Education Courses
PSCL 101General Psychology I3
EDUC 301Introduction to Education3
EDUC 255Literacy Across the Content Areas3
EDUC 304Educational Psychology3
EDUC 336The Diverse Learner: Best Practice for Effective Classrooms3
Total Credit Hours118

Required Methods and Secondary Instrument Courses by Music Education Focus Area

Choral/General Focus

Required Methods Specialization Class
MUED 353Choral Methods and Materials3
Required Secondary Instruments
MUED 200ABasic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice2
MUED 200BBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar2
MUED 200HBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Strings2
MUED 200JBasic Skills & Pedagogy: Piano for Music Educators2
MUED 200PBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion2
Choose one of the following:2
MUED 200C
Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Brass
or MUED 200E
 Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Clarinet and Saxophone
or MUED 200F
 Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Double Reeds and Flute

Instrumental  Focus - Winds/Percussion

Required Methods Specialization Class
MUED 352Instrumental Methods and Materials3
Secondary Instruments
Instrumental (winds/percussion) students should discuss course options with their academic advisor, particularly for students whose primary instrument is included in one of the 200-level courses.
MUED 200ABasic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice2
MUED 200CBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Brass2
MUED 200EBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Clarinet and Saxophone2
MUED 200FBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Double Reeds and Flute2
MUED 200HBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Strings2
MUED 200JBasic Skills & Pedagogy: Piano for Music Educators2
MUED 200PBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion2
MUED 200BBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar b2

Instrumental Focus - Strings

Required Methods Specialization Class
MUED 352Instrumental Methods and Materials3
Secondary Instruments
MUED 200ABasic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice2
MUED 200CBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Brass2
MUED 200HBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Strings2
MUED 200JBasic Skills & Pedagogy: Piano for Music Educators2
MUED 200PBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion2
Choose one of the following:
MUED 200BBasic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar2
or MUED 200E Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Clarinet and Saxophone
or MUED 200F Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Double Reeds and Flute
a

The faculty may place you in an alternate primary ensemble in certain semesters (see the Undergraduate Music Handbook). The two additional semesters may be any combination of primary ensembles or one or more additional ensembles.

b

Optional Elective.

Teacher Education

Licensure programs at Case Western Reserve University are coordinated through Teacher Education (College of Arts and Sciences), the academic home for teacher preparation.

Students pursuing teacher licensure in music education must follow the policies and requirements outlined in the Teacher Education Handbook, which provides comprehensive guidance and essential structure throughout the licensure process.

The handbook includes information on:

  • Admission and Retention Requirements
    Details on GPA minimums, interviews, ePortfolio benchmarks, field experiences, and progression through Decision Points.
  • Program Outcomes
    Aligned with Ohio’s Standards for the Teaching Profession (OSTP) and national InTASC standards, these outcomes define the competencies and expectations for teacher candidates.
  • Professional Conduct Expectations
    Includes requirements for maintaining good moral character and ethical conduct in alignment with state licensure policies.
  • Student Teaching
    Step-by-step guidance on applying for and for student teaching, including placement details, timelines, evaluation criteria, and required documentation.
  • Background Checks and Licensure Exams
    Procedures for completing BCI and FBA background checks and registering for Ohio’s required licensure assessments (Ohio Assessments for Educators).
  • ePortfolio and edTPA
    Information on digital portfolio development and submission of the edTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment), both essential components of the licensure recommendation process.

Note: Students are expected to regularly consult the Teacher Education Handbook and maintain close communication with their advisors and the licensure coordinator to ensure timely progress toward program completion and licensure.

Admission and Retention in Music Education (BS)

Admission to a teacher licensure program requires admission to Case Western Reserve University and the specific licensure program. In general, admission criteria include previous accomplishment in the content area, successful overall academic performance and evidence of one’s potential ability to master the complex intellectual, interpersonal and performance requirements of teaching. 

Once admitted, students progress through five Decision Points, which mark key milestones in their professional development. 

Each decision point has three possible outcomes:

  1. Unconditional admission to the next level
  2. Conditional admission with a prescribed action plan which when successfully completed will result in unconditional admission
  3. Denial of admission to the program, advanced standing, student teaching, or Ohio teaching license

To remain in good standing in the licensure program, students must:

  • Meet the requirements for each decision point
  • Maintain the required GPA in each area
  • Maintain the required average score on the ePortfolio, Disposition Assessment Inventoryd, and the student teaching assessment forms at points in the program where specified

To be recommended for licensure, students must:

  • Pass all of the established decision point criteria
  • Meet health and background check criteria
  • Complete degree requirements
  • Pass the Ohio tests for teacher licensure
d

The Disposition Assessment Inventory (DAI) is a process completed by both students and faculty to promote greater understanding of student perception and progress throughout the degree retention process. 

Decision Point 1: Admission to Teacher Education Program

Official entry to the program generally occurs at the end of the third semester of study or after the completion of MUED 240. Entry to the program requires:

  • Successful interview and satisfactory score on the Teacher Licensure Admission Assessment
  • A cumulative Case Western Reserve University GPA of 2.7 or better
  • Demonstration of entry-level competency in the discipline through successful presentation of a music performance audition
  • Minimum average score of 2.0 on the ePortfolio
  • Successful completion of MUED 240, including evaluation of an initial Teaching ePortfolio
  • Signed statement of Good Moral Character

Decision Point 2: Admission to Advanced Standing

Admission to advanced standing should be submitted by the end of the second semester after Decision Point 1 (usually during the fifth semester of study). Admission to advanced standing requires:

  • Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better
  • Discipline GPA of 2.7 or better
  • Education GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Minimum average score of 2.0 on candidate Disposition Assessment Inventory (DAI)
  • Minimum average score of 2.0 on the ePortfolio

Decision Point 3: Admission to Student Teaching

Admission to student teaching should be completed by the end of the semester prior to student teaching (seventh semester of study). The admission to student teaching requires:

  • Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better
  • Discipline GPA of 2.7 or better
  • Education GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Minimum average score of 3.0 on the ePortfolio
  • Pass TB test; present documentation of hepatitis B vaccinations
  • Pass criminal background checks (BCI and FBI)
  • Minimum average score of 2.5 on candidate Disposition Assessment Inventory (DAI)
  • Successful completion of a Student Teaching Interview
Student Teaching Courses
MUED 396A
& MUED 396B		Student Teaching in Music Education
and Student Teaching Seminar in Music Education		12
MUED 496A
& MUED 496B		Student Teaching in Music Education
and Student Teaching Seminar in Music Education		12

Decision Point 4: Retention during Student Teaching

Retention during student teaching should be completed by midterms of the student teaching semester. The assessment requires:

  1. Minimum average score of 2.75 on each mid-semester Student Teaching Mid-Term Assessment by cooperating teacher and university supervisor
  2. Minimum average mid-semester scores of 2.75 on DAI
  3. Self-reflection essay

Decision Point 5: Recommendation for Initial Licensure

Recommendation for initial licensure occurs after successful completion of all degree requirements, including passing scores on state licensure exams. This requires:

  1. Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better
  2. Discipline GPA of 2.7 or better
  3. Education GPA of 3.0 or better
  4. Minimum grade of "B" in MUED 396A and MUED 396B
  5. Completion of degree requirements
  6. Minimum average score of 3.0 on the ePortfolio
  7. Minimum average score of 3.0 on candidate Disposition Assessment Inventory (DAI)
  8. Minimum average score of 3.0 on each Student Teaching Final Assessment by cooperating teacher and university supervisor
  9. Passing scores on Ohio licensure exams
  10. Completion of the Feedback on University Supervisor, Feedback on Cooperating Teacher, and Teacher Licensure Exit Interview and Survey

Piano Proficiency Sequence

All music education majors must demonstrate piano keyboard proficiency as part of their Basic Skills and Pedagogy requirement.

  • Upon entering the program, students take a Piano Proficiency Exam to assess fundamental keyboard skills and determine appropriate placement.
  • Students with limited experience are placed into the MUSP Class Piano course sequence (non-degree credit), which builds foundational skills essential for enrollment in MUED 200J. This course focuses on keyboard skills essential for music educators, including open score reading and basic accompanying techniques.
  • Students with advance skills may be placed directly into MUED 200J when available.
  • Piano majors may be eligible to waive this requirements, pending faculty approval. 

Departmental Honors

Music Education majors who demonstrate exceptional academic and professional achievement may be considered for Department Honors.

To be eligible, students must:

  • Maintain a 3.75 GPA within the major
  • Earn a high score on the Teacher Work Sample (TWS)

Departmental Honors are awarded based on a faculty vote. Recipients will have the distinction noted on their official transcript, recognized during commencement, and printed in the commencement program.

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