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

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Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Music Education is a professional degree for students who are interested in teaching music in K-12 schools. Undergraduate music education majors pursue a fully accredited curriculum that develops musical knowledge through a sequential program of instruction, critical thinking, and practical teaching experiences. Students develop skills, concepts, and methodologies in music theory, composition, general musicianship, music history, arranging/orchestrating, improvising, conducting, and music performance. This intensive four-year degree leading to teacher licensure prepares students to become professional music educators. 

Program highlights include:

• Full time faculty with specialties in all areas of music education (choral, general, instrumental) who provide personalized attention to students and support teacher preparation 
• An emphasis on experiential learning that is based on current research and best practices
• Active participation in music teaching beginning in the introductory courses with fieldwork continuing throughout the degree program
• Opportunities to perform with outstanding ensembles (orchestra, band, choral, early music, jazz)
• Experiencing a variety of liberal arts subjects (humanities, literature, history, social sciences, foreign language) and conservatory instruction (performance, music theory) by participating in our Joint Music Program with the internationally renowned Cleveland Institute of Music
• An active chapter of NAfME Collegiate, a student-led organization dedicated to professional development
• Advanced technology and a dedicated music education resource center
• Earning a degree from a program approved by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Additional program information is available on the Department of Music Music Education webpage.

Admission

The BS in Music Education requires submission of the Common Application with corresponding Music Arts Supplement (digital questionnaire and video audition) on an acceptable primary instrument or voice and a live interview/performance audition (by invitation of the music education faculty) for entrance to the major. Students may pursue the minor in music or participate in ensembles and lessons as non- majors without passing an audition. However, all students applying for music scholarships must submit a Music Arts Supplement with the Common Application. 

Incoming undergraduate music majors are expected to enter CWRU with a fundamental working knowledge of and proficiency in reading of treble and/or bass clef, key signatures, and major and minor scales, along with the ability to vocally match pitches played on the piano. These skills are necessary for music theory courses taught through the Cleveland Institute of Music, which are a significant part of the required music major curriculum. Incoming undergraduate students are placed into a music theory course based on a diagnostic exam and a sight singing placement exam that are administered online prior to orientation. 

More information about the undergraduate admission and audition process is provided on the Department of Music Undergraduate Application Procedures webpage. 

For students who do not major or minor in music but want to participate in musical activities on campus, our many ensembles are open to all CWRU students (regardless of major), and we offer music lessons through the Joint Music Program with faculty from the Cleveland Institute of Music. 

Music Handbook and Advising

Current undergraduate music majors should review departmental policies and procedures in the Undergraduate Music Handbook, and use the Advising Forms as a tool to track academic progress in all course requirements.

Additional resources and forms are available on the Department of Music Resources for Current Undergraduate Music Majors webpage.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Office of Undergraduate Studies 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 general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the latter set of requirements.

The Bachelor of Science in Music Education (BS) requires a total of 127 credit units and is designed to educate professional teachers of music education in K-12 schools. Students develop skills, concepts, and methodologies in music theory, composition, general musicianship, music history, arranging/orchestrating, improvising, conducting, and music performance. 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. Most states recognize the Ohio teaching license through reciprocity. 

Requirements for the BS in music education are as follows

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
A. Core Courses
Music Theory/Musicianship; Eurythmics:
MUTH 101	Theory and Aural Skills I	4
or MUTH 101I	Intensive Theory and Aural Skills 1
Students who do not place into MUTH 101 must take MUTH 101I.
MUTH 102	Theory and Aural Skills II	4
MUTH 201	Theory and Aural Skills III	4
MUTH 202	Harmony-Keyboard IV	4
MUDE 101	Eurhythmics I (fulfills SAGES Phys Ed requirement)	0
MUDE 102	Eurhythmics II (fulfills SAGES Phys Ed requirement)	0
Music History/Literature (must be taken in sequential order):
MUHI 201	History of Western Music I (fulfills CAS Arts and Humanities requirement) pre-req MUTH 102	3
MUHI 202	History of Western Music II (fulfills CAS Arts and Humanities requirement) pre-req MUHI 201	3
MUED 305	World Music in Education (fulfills SAGES Global and Cultural Diversity requirement)	3
Applied Music (primary lessons every semester except student teaching, department consent required):
MUAP 121	Principal Performance Area I	2
MUAP 122	Principal Performance Area II	2
MUAP 10	Progress Jury Examination	0
MUAP 221	Principal Performance Area III	2
MUAP 222	Principal Performance Area IV	2
MUAP 20	Level 300 Applied Music Entrance Jury Exam	0
MUAP 321	Principal Level Performance Area V	2
MUAP 322	Principal Level Performance Area VI	2
MUAP 323	Principal Performance Area VII	2
MUAP 35	BS Music Education Jury Examination	0
Recital Class component required (auto-enrolled) with each principal performance area. Participation in weekly Recital Class (W 3:20-4:10pm), including a performance one per academic year required.
Ensembles		9
Primary Ensembles (every semester except student teaching):
MUEN 382	Case Concert Choir (Voice)
MUEN 383	Symphonic Winds (Winds/Percussion)
MUEN 385	Case/University Circle Orchestra (Strings)
MUEN 389	Keyboard Ensemble (Piano)
MUEN 355	Miscellaneous Ensembles (Guitar)
MUEN 395	Collegium Musicum (Historical Performance Practice)
MUEN 396	Early Music Singers (Historical Performance Practice)
MUEN 397	Baroque Orchestra (Historical Performance Practice)
MUEN 370	Popular Music Ensemble (Popular Music)
Additional Ensembles (two semesters, one full year): 1
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 Men's Glee Club
MUEN 380B	Case Men's 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
B. Music Education Sequence
Methods: 2
MUED 240	Foundations of Music Education	3
MUED 320	Technology Assisted Music Teaching and Learning	3
MUED 350	General Music Methods	3
MUED 355	Vernacular Music in Education (fulfills SAGES Departmental Seminar requirement)	3
MUED 352	Instrumental Methods and Materials	3
or MUED 353	Choral Methods and Materials
Conducting and Arranging:
MUED 275	Elements of Conducting	3
MUED 276	Advanced Conducting, Score Analysis and Rehearsal Techniques	3
MUED 310	Instrumental and Choral Arranging	3
Basic Skills & Pedagogy: 2		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
MUED 220
Field Experience (two semesters):
MUED 300	Intensive Field Experience (taken in sixth and seventh semester)	0
Student Teaching:
MUED 396A	Student Teaching in Music Education	9
MUED 396B	Student Teaching Seminar in Music Education (counts as Music Education Capstone)	3
C. Professional Education Courses
PSCL 101	General Psychology I	3
EDUC 301	Introduction to Education	3
EDUC 304	Educational Psychology (fulfills CAS Social Science requirement) 3	3
EDUC 255	Literacy Across the Content Areas	3
Total Hours		108

¹

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.

²

See the required methods and secondary instrument courses by music education focus area (chart below). 

³

 PSCL 101 General Psychology I is a prerequisite

Required Methods and Secondary Instrument Courses by Music Education Focus Area

Choral/General Focus

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Methods Specialization Class
MUED 353	Choral Methods and Materials	3
Required Secondary Instruments
MUED 200A	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice	2
MUED 200B	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar	2
MUED 200H	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Strings	2
MUED 200J	Basic Skills & Pedagogy: Piano for Music Educators	2
MUED 200P	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion	2
Plus at least one of the following:
MUED 200C	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Brass	2
MUED 200E	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Clarinet and Saxophone	2
MUED 200F	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Double Reeds and Flute	2

Instrumental  Focus- Winds/Percussion

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Methods Specialization Class
MUED 352	Instrumental Methods and Materials	3
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 200A	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice	2
MUED 200C	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Brass	2
MUED 200E	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Clarinet and Saxophone	2
MUED 200F	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Double Reeds and Flute	2
MUED 200H	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Strings	2
MUED 200J	Basic Skills & Pedagogy: Piano for Music Educators	2
MUED 200P	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion	2
Recommended as optional electives:
MUED 200B	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar	2
MUED 220		1

Instrumental Focus- Strings

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Methods Specialization Class
MUED 352	Instrumental Methods and Materials	3
Secondary Instruments
MUED 200A	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice	2
MUED 200C	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Brass	2
MUED 200H	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Strings	2
MUED 200J	Basic Skills & Pedagogy: Piano for Music Educators	2
MUED 200P	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion	2
Plus at least one of the following:
MUED 200B	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar	2
MUED 200E	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Clarinet and Saxophone	2
MUED 200F	Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Double Reeds and Flute	2

Admission and Retention in Music Education

There are five decision points in the Music Education Program. For each of the decision points, there are three possible outcomes: unconditional admission to the next level; conditional admission with a prescribed action plan which when successfully completed will result in unconditional admission; or denial of admission. Denial of admission at any decision point means the student is no longer able to pursue a music education degree at Case Western Reserve.

Decision Point 1: Application for Admission to the Program

Official admission to the Music Education Program generally occurs at the end of the third semester of study or after the completion of MUED 240. Admission to the program requires:

1. admission to Case Western Reserve University

2. acceptance as a music major through an audition and interview process before matriculation

3. successful completion of MUED 240, including evaluation of an initial Teaching ePortfolio

4. a cumulative Case Western Reserve University GPA of 2.7 or better

5. submission of a signed Statement of Assurance of Good Moral Character, and

6. a satisfactory interview with music education faculty, documented on the Teacher Licensure Admission Assessment Form

Decision Point 2: Application for Advanced Standing

Application for Advanced Standing should be submitted by the end of the second semester after Decision Point 1 (usually during the fifth semester of study). Application for Advanced Standing requires:

1. a successful review of the updated Teaching ePortfolio

2. submission of a current Academic Requirements Report documenting the following: a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better, a music GPA of 2.7 or better, and an education GPA of 3.0 or better

3. a passing score on the Candidate Disposition Assessment Inventory completed by the student and the music education faculty

Decision Point 3: Application for Student Teaching

Application for Student Teaching should be completed by the end of the semester prior to student teaching (seventh semester of study). The application requires:

1. a successful review of the updated Teaching ePortfolio

2. submission of a current Academic Requirements Report documenting the following: a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better, a music GPA of 2.7 or better, and an education GPA of 3.0 or better

3. a passing score on the Candidate Disposition Assessment Inventory completed by the student and the music education faculty

4. passing a TB test

5. presenting documentation of Hepatitis B vaccination

6. passing an official criminal background check

7. a satisfactory interview with music education faculty

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. a passing score on the Candidate Disposition Assessment Inventory completed by the student and the music education faculty

2. passing scores on the Case Student Teaching Mid-Semester Assessment by the cooperating teacher(s) and university supervisor

3. completion of a self-reflective essay

Decision Point 5: Application for Initial Licensure

Application for Initial Licensure occurs after successful completion of all degree requirements. This application requires:

1. a successful review of the updated Teaching ePortfolio

2. submission of a current Academic Requirements report documenting the following: a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better, a music GPA of 2.7 or better, and an education GPA of 3.0 or better

3. a passing score on the Candidate Disposition Assessment Inventory completed by the student and the music education faculty

4. passing scores on Ohio licensure exams

5. completion of the Case Teacher Licensure Exit Interview and Survey

6. passing scores on the Case Student Teaching Final Assessment by the cooperating teacher(s) and university supervisor

7. successful completion of Student Teaching coursework with a grade of B or better

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
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 (for master's students seeking licensure)	12

After successfully completing all requirements at the five decision points, the student is recommended by the university’s director of teacher education for the Ohio Provisional Music (Pre-K-12) License to teach music in public schools in Ohio and more than 40 reciprocating states. Completion of the BS degree does not ensure that the State of Ohio music teacher license will be awarded. Additional information is available from the Teacher Licensure section in this bulletin.

Departmental Honors

Music education majors who maintain a GPA of 3.75 or above in the major and who receive a high score on their Teacher Work Sample (TWS) from the music education faculty, can earn Departmental Honors by vote of the music faculty. The distinction appears on the transcript, is announced at commencement, and is printed in the commencement program.