Students who major in music education choose an emphasis in either choral or instrumental music. The curriculum provides a balanced program of applied music, theoretical studies, teacher candidacy studies, and fieldwork experiences. Emphasis is upon contemporary music education with training and experiences designed to meet the varying needs of today’s schools.
Music education students at Ohio University receive intense musical training on their chosen instrument or voice, and participate in the performing ensembles. They study music history, literature, theory, and conducting. Methods courses help students develop teaching skills in a variety of settings from marching, concert, and jazz bands, to elementary classroom and high school choral music. Students also learn about modern technology in education as they work in the School’s keyboard and electronic music labs. Many music education students choose to serve as paid instructors in the Athens Community Music School, where they can gain valuable experience teaching community members. As members of the active collegiate National Association for Music Education (NAFME) chapter, students travel to music conventions and workshops where they participate in a variety of educational and social activities.
All undergraduates, whether prospective freshmen or transfer students, are required to audition for admission to the degree programs offered by the School of Music. In general, students may not pursue coursework in the major until they have successfully auditioned and been admitted to a music degree program.
Students currently attending Ohio University who wish to declare a major in music are required to audition for admission to the School of Music before they may declare the major.
All undergraduates, whether prospective freshmen or transfer students, are required to audition for admission to the degree programs offered by the School of Music. In general, students may not pursue coursework in the major until they have successfully auditioned and been admitted to a music degree program.
Students completing the undergraduate program receive the Bachelor of Music degree in music education with Ohio licensure to teach music K-12. A reciprocity license contract with 30 additional states is currently in effect.
Students with Bachelor of Music degrees in music education also often continue graduate work at respected institutions across the country, either in music education or in related fields such as music performance, arts management, and others.
Ohio University requires completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. However, the Bachelor of Music major in music education: choral emphasis requires a minimum of 125 semester hours. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – Universitywide page.
You must have a 2.75 or higher GPA in all music education major courses.
Complete the following courses with a C (2.0) grade or better in each:
Complete the following courses during freshman and sophomore years:
Complete the following courses:
Complete the following courses:
Complete the following courses:
Complete the following courses:
Students must either pass MUS 3600 with a grade of B or better OR pass the Keyboard Skills Proficiency Exam (KSP).
(Piano principals will enroll in MUS 3410 in lieu of class piano.)
Complete 7 semesters of large ensemble for 1 hour every semester. Music education majors must perform in a large ensemble every semester in residence. See School of Music Undergraduate Handbook for ensembles appropriate to the principal instrument and major.
Complete 6 semesters of the following course:
Complete 2 hours per semester for 6 semesters on appropriate applied instrument or voice for major. See School of Music Undergraduate Handbook for guidelines regarding attaining senior status.
Complete the following course:
Complete the following course:
Complete the following course:
Complete the following courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better in each:
Complete the following courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better in each:
Complete the following courses with a 2.75 GPA and a grade of C (2.0) or higher in each. Music methods courses are included in the 2.75 overall GPA requirement for teacher candidacy courses:
Complete the following course:
Complete the following courses:
Complete the following course:
Complete the following courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses are included in the Teacher Candidacy Courses 2.75 GPA requirement.
Complete the following courses with a grade of C (2.0) or higher in EDPL 4650: