Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer content

Music Education Course Requirements

Completion of all program requirements, including passing state tests and assessments, qualifies one to teach general, vocal, and instrumental music in grades PK-12. Earning endorsements in any other subject requires completion of an approved program in that area including the ISBE content area exam. 

The goal of the licensure program in Music Education is to develop a high degree of competence in basic musicianship as well as to promote professional qualities essential for teaching music. The 21st century music educator connects musical understanding with performance through many styles of music, develops creative and engaging encounters with music, relates effectively to individuals and society, and adjusts to the changing demands in the field of music education.

Professional Education: Music Education (13.5 units) 

The professional education courses listed below are used to compute your professional education grade point average for TEP and student teaching acceptance. These courses are required for the Music Education major.

First year, fall

Music 224 or 225

Techniques*:  Percussion or Vocal

First year, spring

Music 132

Music 221 or 223

Foundations and Principles of Music Education

Techniques*: String or Brass

Sophomore year

EDUC 257 or Music 250

 

Music 221, 222a, 222b, 223, 224, or 225

Music 232

Disability Rights (may be taken junior year concurrently with 232 or 333)

 

Techniques*: String, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, or Vocal

 

Elementary General School Methods

Junior year, fall

Music 333A

Music 222a, 222b, 224, 225

Instrumental Music Methods

Techniques*:  Woodwind, Percussion or Vocal

Junior year, spring

Music 333B

Music 221, 222a, 222b or 223

Choral Music Methods

Techniques*: String, Woodwind or Brass

Junior year, May Term

EDUC 365**

Reading, Writing and Communication in the Content Areas

Senior year

Music 497A

Music 221, 222a, 222b, 223, 224, 225

Student Teaching in Music

Techniques: String, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, or Vocal

*Prior to student teaching, candidates must complete five of the six required techniques (Music 221, 222a, 222b, 223, 224, 225) courses. First year students may not enroll in Music 222a or 222b and must seek instructor approval to enroll in Music 225.

**Music 328 or Music 329 and EDUC 257 and EDUC 365 must be completed prior to student teaching

Music Education students are also invited to enroll in EDUC 225 (SI) Education and Social Justice; and EDUC 255 Child and Assessment. If one wishes to use the clinical experiences attached to these courses in fulfillment of their 100 hours of pre-student teaching requirement, they will have to also sign up for EDUC 125 and EDUC 126.

Major Requirements: Music (16.5 units)

The content courses listed below are used to compute your music major grade point average for TEP and student teaching acceptance. 

First year, fall

Music 100A

Music 103 (1)

Music 181 (.5)

Ensemble (.25)

Keyboard Skills

Music Theory 1

Applied Concentration

First year, spring

Music 100B

Music 104 (1)

Music 183 (.5)

Ensemble (.25)

Keyboard Skills

Music Theory II

Applied concentration

Sophomore year, fall

Music 201 (.5)

Music 203 (1)

Music 205 (.5) or

Music 207 (.5)

Music 281 (.5)

Ensemble (.25)

Survey of Music History I

Music Theory III

Functional Piano I OR

Keyboard Harmony I (keyboard majors)

Applied Concentration

Sophomore year, spring

Music 202 (.5)

Music 204 (1)

Music 206 (.5) or

Music 208 (.5)

Music 283 (.5)

Ensemble (.25)

Survey of Music History II

Music Theory IV

Functional Piano OR

Keyboard Harmony II (keyboard majors)

Applied Concentration

 

Junior year, fall/spring

(select 1)

Music 385 (1)

Music 386 (1)

 

Music 387 (1)

Music 388 (1)

Music 329

 

 

Romanticism and Music

Modernism, Post-Modernism, and Contemporary Trends in Music

Instrumental Music

Music and the Stage

Choral Conducting (if choral focus)

 

Junior year, fall

 

Music 385, 386, 387, or 388 (1)

Music 381 (.5)

Ensemble (.25)

History of Musical Style (select from above, if needed)

Applied Concentration

 

Junior year, spring

Music 328 

Music 385, 386, 387, or 388 (1)

Music 383 (.5)

Ensemble (.25)

Instrumental Conducting (if instrumental focus)

History of Musical Style (select from above, if needed)

Applied Concentration

 

Senior, spring or fall

Music 481 or 483 (.5)

Applied Concentration

 

Additional Requirements

  • Music 14X Convocation, First year.
  • Music 15X Recital Attendance (each semester excluding fall first year and the semester of student teaching)
  • Participation in at least one major ensemble or the equivalent during each semester in residence, excluding the semester of student teaching. (Any ensembles taken beyond those required may be applied to the elective category.)
  • Two semesters of Titan Band are required for wind and percussion instrumental music education majors prior to student teaching. Register for fall semester only.
  • Pianists are required to take (at least) two semesters of accompanying as part of their ensemble requirement.
  • 1.25 course units of electives. B.M.E. degree options include:

Advanced conducting (instrumental or choral)
Applied minor lessons
Chamber music (with an assigned faculty coach)
Diction courses
Independent study in music
Jazz history (US Diversity flag)
Keyboard literature
Latin-American music (Global Diversity flag)
Marching band practicum
May term music course
May term travel course in music
Opera history
Piano pedagogy
Practicum in conducting
Practicum in music education
Spring opera or fall musical
Vocal pedagogy
Music composition lessons
Music improvisation courses
Women in Popular Music (US Diversity Flag – spring semester only)

  • Substitutions in the prescribed courses of study may be permitted only by approval of the music faculty or an appropriate committee thereof. Substitutions must meet state guidelines and requirements.
  • Students may enroll for a maximum of five course units in fall and spring semesters. Any exceptions must be approved by the advisor.

The Upper Division B.M.E. Assessment is given during the spring semester of the sophomore year. The Upper Division Assessment consists of five major areas—musical competencies, writing skills, professional qualities, personal qualities, and academic skills. Musical competencies include sight-singing in major and/or minor keys, solfeggio skills, and performance skills acceptable for upper division status. Professional Education competencies include planning lessons and interview skills that focus on current issues and practices in music education

Music Education candidates must successfully pass all portions of the assessment and the applied upper division jury for admission to the Teacher Education Program and to upper division status within the B.M.E. program. If you are deficient on any portion of the exam, a remedial plan will be devised by the MTAC. One semester of probation (fall, junior year) may be granted. 

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

May Term

  • Optional

* Lessons: register for the CRN with the student's instrument/instructor. 

** Students can take a keyboard proficiency exam which is given during New Student Orientation, and if they test out of MUS 100A/B, then they take: MUS 205 (non-keyboard majors) or MUS 207 (keyboard majors) in the Fall semester and MUS 206 (non-keyboard majors) or MUS 208 (keyboard majors) in the Spring semester.

*** Choose from 221, 223, 224, or 225, depending on which are offered in a given semester. Defer the taking of 222 (a full-year course) until sophomore or junior year. 

**** All wind and percussion music education students are required to participate in Titan Band for 2 semesters (X-credit). (Pianists and vocalists are exempt from this requirement.)

 Fall Semester

* Private lessons: register for the CRN with the student's instrument/instructor. 

** Keyboard Harmony (207/208) is offered in alternate years. In the year in which it is not offered, students should be encouraged to take an additional Gen Ed or PE course.

*** Choose from 221, 223, 224, or 225, depending on which are offered in a given semester. Defer the taking of 222 (a full-year course) until sophomore or junior year. 

**** All Winds and Percussion music education students are required to participate in Titan Band for 2 semesters (X-credit). (Pianists and vocalists are exempt from this requirement.)

 

 

Leah Nillas - Chair and Associate Professor of Educational Studies

Department - School Of Educational Studies