Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Susquehanna University
Key Information
Campus location
Selinsgrove, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 54,440 / per year **
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Request info
* November 1 — Early Action 1. November 15 — Early Decision. December 1 — Early Action 2. February 1 — Regular Decision admission application deadline; late applications welcome as space permits. March 1 — International Students
** tuition 2022-23
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Share your love of music
Prepare to mentor and train young musicians while continuing to develop your own skills as a musician.
From your very first year, you’ll get hands-on experience teaching one-on-one or in small groups in PreK-12 classrooms.
As state requirements for teachers intensify, we’re committed to preparing you for certification in four years, including your student teaching semester.
Our rigorous curriculum will broaden your musical comfort zone and help you grow as a musician, performer, and creative thinker. Mentoring from professors who are experienced educators and active performers will build your confidence.
Performance opportunities and more
Take advantage of opportunities to perform in our many choral, instrumental, and chamber music ensembles. You won’t compete with graduate students in our undergraduate-only program.
Join our very active chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), in which you’ll bond and connect with fellow music education majors and network with music educators across the state.
Get even more hands-on experience in our community music program, which has its own dedicated teaching lab space right here on campus.
Gallery
Curriculum
Requirements for Major
When you enroll at Susquehanna, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from the complete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor, consult with their advisor(s) and the Academic Planning Tool.
Double-counting restriction
Students pursuing a major in the music department may double-count a maximum of 8 semester hours toward another major or minor.
Music Opportunities for Non-Music Majors
The department provides a variety of music opportunities for all students, regardless of their majors and career goals. Nonmajors may take upper-level music courses with the permission of the instructor. The department also welcomes nonmajors in performing groups and private study upon a successful audition or permission from the instructor.
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Susquehanna University believes that educators need to demonstrate professional knowledge and skills in the following four domains of teaching: (1) preparation and planning, (2) instruction and assessment, (3) creating a classroom environment of respect and rapport, and (4) professional responsibility. Collaborative programs between the university and area schools afford a variety of opportunities to develop and demonstrate professional knowledge and teaching skills. Successful completion of the Bachelor of Music in music education degree requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Piano and organ concentrates must choose to follow the vocal emphasis or instrumental emphasis requirements. The major lesson is in piano or organ, with the major ensemble corresponding to the emphasis selected.
Application to the Teacher Education Program
Students seeking admission to Susquehanna University’s teacher education program must meet the requirements of both the teacher education program and the Pennsylvania Department of Education and formally apply to the university’s Department of Education. Application forms are available in the university’s Department of Education office. Acceptance into the program is determined by the teacher education program. The Department of Education reserves the right to determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Students may apply for admission to the teacher education program as early as the spring semester of their sophomore year. Students must apply and be admitted no later than the first semester of their junior year.
Requirements for admission to the teacher education program include the following:
- Completion of at least 48 semester hours of coursework, including:
- Three semester hours of English composition
- Three semester hours of English/American literature
- Six semester hours of college-level mathematics;
- Successful completion of MUED-200 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Music Education;
- A cumulative GPA of 3.00;
- Passing PAPA or CORE examinations scores or being exempt through sufficient SAT or ACT scores;
- Completion of one 40-hour externship (see below), with completed forms, returned to the Department of Education;
- Current Act 24, Act 34, Act 114, Act 126, and Act 151 clearances and negative Tuberculosis (TB) results;
- Two letters of reference from university faculty; and
- Submission of a completed Department of Education application form.
Externship
An externship consists of 40 hours in a school for observing and aiding in classrooms and other areas of the school, conducting staff interviews, etc. Applicants must complete an externship prior to admission to the education program. Externship information and forms can be obtained from the education department office or the education department website.
Students who have not been formally admitted into the teacher education program may not take more than 12 semester hours of education courses (including music education courses) without written permission from the coordinator of music education. Transfer students who wish to enter the program are evaluated on an individual basis by the coordinator of music education in consultation with the music education committee and the head of the department.
Professional Conduct
The Department of Music faculty, in consultation with the faculty of the Department of Education, reserves the right to make a judgment on the suitability of students for professional teaching practice. Practicum students (those in the schools observing and/or aiding a teacher) and student teachers must follow the policies of the host school district. Practicum students and student teachers are held to a professional standard of behavior as specified by the Pennsylvania Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators and will be removed from a school site by a building administrator for unprofessional conduct. A student asked to leave a school site may be assigned academic work outside of student teaching to complete the credits needed for graduation. Grades will be assigned by the education department faculty based on the work completed and evaluations from the Susquehanna faculty and the cooperating teachers.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Each course below must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.
12 Music Literature
- 2 MUSC-152 Survey of World Music
- 4 MUSC-245 The Music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Eras
- 4 MUSC-250 The Music of the Classic and Romantic Eras
- 2 MUSC-350 20th-Century Music
14 Music Theory
- 2 MUSC-161 Theory I: Diatonic Harmony
- 2 MUSC-162 Theory II: Chromatic Harmony
- 2 MUSC-163 Ear Training I
- 2 MUSC-164 Ear Training II
- 2 MUSC-261 Theory III: Advanced Harmony
- 2 MUSC-262 Theory IV: Form and Analysis
- 2 MUSC-263 Ear Training III
40 Education
- 4 EDUC-250 Educational Psychology
- 4 EDUC-350 English Language Learners: Theory and Instruction
- 2 MUED-200 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Public School Education and Music Education
- 4 MUED-339 General Music Education Methods and Practicum
- 4 MUED-345 Instrumental Music Education Methods and Practicum
- 4 MUED-351 Choral Music Education Methods and Practicum
- 4 MUED-355 Music for Exceptional Children and Practicum
- 0* MUED-400:01 Student Teaching
- 4* MUED-400:02 Classroom Performance
- 4* MUED-400:03 Classroom Management
- 4* MUED-400:04 Preparation and Planning
- 2* MUED-405 Student Teaching Seminar
- (*indicates capstone)
4 Conducting
- 2 MUSC-369 Beginning Conducting
- 2 MUSC-371 Instrumental Conducting (instrumental emphasis)
- 2 MUSC-372 Choral Conducting (vocal emphasis)
31-32 Applied Music and Other Courses
Vocal emphasis 31 semester hours; Instrumental emphasis 32 semester hours; Keyboard-Vocal Emphasis 32, Keyboard-Instrumental Emphasis 34
- 14 Major Lesson (seven semesters)
- 1 MUSC-034 Piano Class I (not required keyboard concentrates)
- 1 MUSC-035 Piano Class II (not required keyboard concentrates)
- 1 MUSC-037 Piano Class III
- 1 MUSC-038 Piano Technique (for piano concentrates only)
- 1 MUSC-082 University Choir OR MUSC-083 University Chorale (instrumental emphasis)
- 1 MUED-040 Brass Class I
- 1 MUED-041 Woodwind Class I
- 1 MUED-042 String Class I
- 1 MUED-043 Percussion Class
- 1 MUED-046 Brass Class II (instrumental emphasis)
- 1 MUED-047 Woodwind Class II (instrumental emphasis)
- 1 MUED-048 String Class II (instrumental emphasis)
- 1 MUSC-049 Piano Class IV (vocal emphasis)
- 2-3 MUSC-066 Collaborative Piano (keyboard concentrates only) (third semester for keyboard concentrates who are exempt from MUSC-037)
- 1 MUSC-077 Training Ensemble
- 1 MUSC-084 Diction I (vocal emphasis)
- 7 Large Ensemble (seven semesters)
- 0 MUSC-503 Half Recital
- 0 MUSC-555 Forum (seven semesters)
Applied Music Lessons
Lessons carry one or two semester hours of credit. Students earn credit of one semester hour for a weekly half-hour lesson. Bachelor of Arts majors take a one-semester-hour lesson on their major instrument. Music education majors and performance majors take a weekly one-hour lesson on their major instrument and receive two semester hours of credit.
A fee is charged per semester for individual lessons that are not stated specifically as curricular requirements (nonmajors or extra lessons for majors). Such lessons are contingent upon faculty availability within the normal teaching load.
Course Options
Music Courses
- MUSC 001 Brass Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 002 Brass Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 003 Organ Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 004 Organ Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 005 Piano Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 006 Piano Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 007 String Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 008 String Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 009 Voice Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 010 Voice Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 011 Woodwind Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 012 Woodwind Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 013 Percussion Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 014 Percussion Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 015 Harpsichord Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 016 Harpsichord Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 017 Guitar Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 018 Guitar Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 023 Composition Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 024 Composition Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 034 Piano Class I, Credits: 1
- MUSC 035 Piano Class II, Credits: 1
- MUSC 037 Piano Class III, Credits: 1
- MUSC 038 Piano Technique, Credits: 1
- MUSC 049 Piano Class IV: Musicianship Skills, Credits: 1
- MUSC 066 Collaborative Piano, Credits: 1
- MUSC 072 Symphonic Band, Credits: 1
- MUSC 073 Stadium Band, Credits: 1
- MUSC 074 Orchestra, Credits: 1
- MUSC 075 Fall Musical Orchestra, Credits: 1
- MUSC 076 Small Ensemble, Credits: 1
- MUSC 077 Training Ensemble, Credits: 1
- MUSC 078 Jazz Ensemble, Credits: 1
- MUSC 079 Jazz Improvisation, Credits: 1
- MUSC 082 University Choir, Credits: 1
- MUSC 083 University Chorale, Credits: 1
- MUSC 084 Diction I, Credits: 1
- MUSC 085 Diction II, Credits: 1
- MUSC 086 University Chamber Singers, Credits: 1
- MUSC 089 Opera Studio, Credits: 1
- MUSC 101 Introduction to Music, Credits: 4
- MUSC 102 A Study of Jazz, Credits: 4
- MUSC 130 Popular Music and Society, Credits: 4
- MUSC 152 Survey of World Music, Credits: 2
- MUSC 161 Theory I: Diatonic Harmony, Credits: 2
- MUSC 162 Theory II: Chromatic Harmony, Credits: 2
- MUSC 163 Ear Training I, Credits: 2
- MUSC 164 Ear Training II, Credits: 2
- MUSC 215 Music in Christian Rituals, Credits: 4
- MUSC 220 Privilege in Classical Music, Credits: 4
- MUSC 225 Miranda’s “Hamilton”, Credits: 4
- MUSC 245 Medieval/Renaissance/Baroque Eras, Credits: 4
- MUSC 250 The Music of Classic and Romantic Eras, Credits: 4
- MUSC 261 Theory III: Advanced Harmony, Credits: 2
- MUSC 262 Theory IV: Form and Analysis, Credits: 2
- MUSC 263 Ear Training III, Credits: 2
- MUSC 265 Ear Training IV, Credits: 2
- MUSC 270 Topics in Music, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 275 Introduction to Arts Leadership, Credits: 4
- MUSC 350 20th Century Music, Credits: 2
- MUSC 353 The Practice of Church Music, Credits: 4
- MUSC 355 Audio Engineering Fundamentals, Credits: 4
- MUSC 356 Music Production in the Recording Studio, Credits: 4
- MUSC 361 Counterpoint, Credits: 2
- MUSC 364 Performance Arts Technology for Educator, Credits: 3
- MUSC 367 Computer Music Composition, Credits: 4
- MUSC 368 Computer Music Performance, Credits: 4
- MUSC 369 Beginning Conducting, Credits: 2
- MUSC 370 Orchestration, Credits: 2
- MUSC 371 Instrumental Conducting, Credits: 2
- MUSC 372 Choral Conducting, Credits: 2
- MUSC 399 Pedagogy, Credits: 2
- MUSC 450 Topics in Music Literature, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 500 Full Recital, Credits: 2
- MUSC 501 Independent Study, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 503 Half Recital, Credits: 0–0
- MUSC 504 Internship, Credits: 4
- MUSC 506 Independent Study in Music-Capstone, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 555 Forum, Credits: 0–0
Music Education
- MUED 039 Classroom Instruments, Credits: 1
- MUED 040 Brass Class I, Credits: 1
- MUED 041 Woodwind Class I, Credits: 1
- MUED 042 String Class I, Credits: 1
- MUED 043 Percussion Class, Credits: 1
- MUED 046 Brass Class II, Credits: 1
- MUED 047 Woodwind Class II, Credits: 1
- MUED 048 String Class II, Credits: 1
- MUED 200 Public School Education/Music Education, Credits: 2
- MUED 339 General Music Education Methods & Practicum, Credits: 4
- MUED 345 Instrumental Music Education, Credits: 4
- MUED 351 Choral Music Education, Credits: 4
- MUED 355 Music for Exceptional Children with/ Practicum, Credits: 4
- MUED 400 Student Teaching, Credits: 0–4
- MUED 405 Student Teaching Seminar, Credits: 2
- MUED 500 Independent Study, Credits: 1–4
Rankings
- #52 among National Liberal Arts Universities
- 23 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports
- 96% of grads working or in grad school within 6 months
Program Outcome
Learning Goals
- Performance—Students integrate technical skills and knowledge to be able to complete a successful performance in a particular area of concentration.
- Aural skills and analysis.
- Music history—Students can place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
- Composition and improvisation.
- Technology—Students identify and employ appropriate technology applicable to their area of specialization.
- Synthesis—Students integrate their music studies through a means appropriate to their curriculum.
- Students in the music department may, with department head approval, complete a music technology minor in addition to a major in music.
Career Opportunities
Virtually guaranteed job placement
Nearly 100 percent of music education graduates seeking full-time employment are employed or entering graduate school within six months of graduation.
Most become successful teachers at all levels all around the country, but some continue their music studies in graduate school.
Graduates have gone on to graduate school at:
- University of Florida
- University of Southern Maine
- Stony Brook University
- University of North Texas
- Boston University
- Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
- Drexel University
- Eastman School of Music
- Indiana University
- University of Michigan
- New England Conservatory of Music
- Northwestern University
- Peabody Institute of Music
- Pennsylvania State University
- Temple University
- Yale University
Graduates have gone on to jobs at:
- Milton Area High School
- Temple University
- Widener University
- Atonement Lutheran Church
- Staats Operette Dresden
- University of North Texas College of Music
- South Shore Symphony Orchestra
- Pinellas Youth Symphony
- University of Connecticut
- Loyalsock Township School District
- Stone Hill Middle School
- Jumoke Academy Charter Schools
- Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
- Utah Oper
Performance Opportunities
Choral
Choral ensembles provide students with unique musical experiences on and off campus.
Instrumental
The Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band perform a wide repertoire in a challenging and rewarding environment.
Keyboard
Pianists and organists perform in a range of solo, chamber, and large ensemble settings on the finest instruments.
Jazz
A traditional big band and small combos appear at a variety of venues.
Chamber Music
Small ensembles offer opportunities to study highly specialized literature.
Opera
The Opera Studio performs fully-staged productions with an orchestra in addition to programs of opera scenes.
English Language Requirements
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