Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Major: Music Education
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 |
| |
MUTH 101 | Theory and Aural Skills I | 4 |
or MUTH 101I | Intensive Theory and Aural Skills 1 |
| |
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 |
| |
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 |
| |
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 |
| |
| 9 |
| |
| Case Concert Choir (Voice) | |
| Symphonic Winds (Winds/Percussion) | |
| Case/University Circle Orchestra (Strings) | |
| Keyboard Ensemble (Piano) | |
| Miscellaneous Ensembles (Guitar) | |
| Collegium Musicum (Historical Performance Practice) | |
| Early Music Singers (Historical Performance Practice) | |
| Baroque Orchestra (Historical Performance Practice) | |
| Popular Music Ensemble (Popular Music) | |
1 | |
| Case Percussion Ensemble | |
| Klezmer Music Ensemble | |
| Klezmer Music Ensemble | |
| Jazz Ensemble I | |
| Jazz Ensemble II | |
| Case Men's Glee Club | |
| Case Men's Glee Club | |
| Spartan Marching Band | |
| Case Camerata Chamber Orchestra | |
| University Chorale | |
| University Chorale | |
| Baroque Chamber Ensembles | |
| Baroque Dance Ensemble | |
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 |
| |
MUED 275 | Elements of Conducting | 3 |
MUED 276 | Advanced Conducting, Score Analysis and Rehearsal Techniques | 3 |
MUED 310 | Instrumental and Choral Arranging | 3 |
2 | 12 |
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice | |
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar | |
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Brass | |
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Clarinet and Saxophone | |
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Double Reeds and Flute | |
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Strings | |
| Basic Skills & Pedagogy: Piano for Music Educators | |
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion | |
MUED 220 | | |
| |
MUED 300 | Intensive Field Experience (taken in sixth and seventh semester) | 0 |
| |
MUED 396A | Student Teaching in Music Education | 9 |
MUED 396B | Student Teaching Seminar in Music Education (counts as Music Education Capstone) | 3 |
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 |
Required Methods and Secondary Instrument Courses by Music Education Focus Area
Choral/General Focus
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
MUED 353 | Choral Methods and Materials | 3 |
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 |
| |
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 |
MUED 352 | Instrumental Methods and Materials | 3 |
| |
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 |
| |
MUED 200B | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar | 2 |
MUED 220 | | 1 |
Instrumental Focus- Strings
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
MUED 352 | Instrumental Methods and Materials | 3 |
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 |
| |
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:
-
admission to Case Western Reserve University
-
acceptance as a music major through an audition and interview process before matriculation
-
successful completion of MUED 240, including evaluation of an initial Teaching ePortfolio
-
a cumulative Case Western Reserve University GPA of 2.7 or better
-
submission of a signed Statement of Assurance of Good Moral Character, and
-
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:
-
a successful review of the updated Teaching ePortfolio
-
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
-
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:
-
a successful review of the updated Teaching ePortfolio
-
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
-
a passing score on the Candidate Disposition Assessment Inventory completed by the student and the music education faculty
-
passing a TB test
-
presenting documentation of Hepatitis B vaccination
-
passing an official criminal background check
-
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:
-
a passing score on the Candidate Disposition Assessment Inventory completed by the student and the music education faculty
-
passing scores on the Case Student Teaching Mid-Semester Assessment by the cooperating teacher(s) and university supervisor
-
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:
-
a successful review of the updated Teaching ePortfolio
-
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
-
a passing score on the Candidate Disposition Assessment Inventory completed by the student and the music education faculty
-
passing scores on Ohio licensure exams
-
completion of the Case Teacher Licensure Exit Interview and Survey
-
passing scores on the Case Student Teaching Final Assessment by the cooperating teacher(s) and university supervisor
-
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.