Instill a love for music in your classroom

DePaul’s Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree prepares you to teach instrumental and vocal music in kindergarten through 12th grade in urban and suburban education settings, including public and private schools.

As part of the Music Education degree program, you’ll:

• Learn educational theories from distinguished music educators with strong practical experience;
• Master the ability to use rehearsal techniques, principles and strategies for teaching voice, instruments and ensembles; and
• Gain familiarity with appropriate literature for various levels of orchestra, band, chorus and music classes.

Music Education students refine their skills and knowledge during their junior year through a partnership with Chicago Public Schools. And during senior year, students work with master teachers throughout the Chicago metro area while student teaching.

Prior to graduation, the School of Music's Office of Career Planning and Placement will work closely with you to prepare a portfolio that will be used in your job application process. Upon graduation, you’ll receive Illinois K-12 Music Teacher Certification.

Classes

Coursework

• Accompanying
• Clinical Experiences with Children and Youth
• Conducting
• Human Growth and Development
• Instrumental Methods and Lab
• Instrumental Techniques
• Music Methods and Lab
• Vocal Methods and Lab

Resources

• Major Requirements
• Schedule of Classes
• Department Website

• Combined bachelor’s + master’s degree offered

Career Options

Common Career Areas

• Choir director
• College/conservatory/university music educator
• Elementary/primary school music teacher
• Music education supervisor
• Private instructor
• Secondary school music teacher ?

Program Checkpoints

Students are admitted to a specialization at their initial enrollment. Students are then allowed to continue in specialization courses on the basis of program checkpoints. The program checkpoints differ for each specialization, and students should contact the department chairs or program directors/coordinators for more information. Students are not permitted to continue to enroll in specialization classes if they have not met the requirements of their program checkpoints. 

Course Requirements

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
MED 306	INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC EDUCATION	2
MED 203	FOUNDATIONS OF MUSIC TEACHING AND LEARNING I	2
MED 204	FOUNDATIONS OF MUSIC TEACHING AND LEARNING II	2
MED 303	ELEMENTARY VOCAL-GENERAL METHODS & LAB	4
MED 300	ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL METHODS & LAB	4
MED 310	MUSIC EDUCATION FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL CHILD	4
Instrumental Techniques Courses:		2
MED 121	CLASS GUITAR
MED 196	CLASS VOICE
MED 326	CREATIVITY IN MUSIC EDUCATION	2
MED 340	CONDUCTING FOR THE MUSIC EDUCATOR	2
MED 95	CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH	1
MED 392	STUDENT TEACHING (Student must complete twice.)	12
MED 393	STUDENT TEACHING SEMINAR	1
9 credits of Large Ensemble
2 credits of Any Ensemble
7 credits of Music Electives

Professional Education Courses

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
SCU 207	SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION	4
Select one of the following:		4
SCU 336	ADOLESCENT AND ADULT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
SCU 337	HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
PSY 303	HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Instrumental Emphasis Only

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
MED 301	SECONDARY INSTRUMENTAL METHODS AND LAB	4
Instrumental Techniques Courses:
MED 101	BRASS I	1
MED 102	BRASS II	1
MED 103	WOODWINDS I	1
MED 104	WOODWINDS II	1
MED 109	WOODWINDS III	1
MED 105	STRINGS I	1
MED 106	STRINGS II	1
MED 107	PERCUSSION I	1
4 credits of Music Education Electives with advisor approval		4

Vocal Emphasis Only

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
MED 304	MIDDLE SCHOOL VOCAL METHODS AND LAB	2
MED 305	SECONDARY VOCAL METHODS AND LAB	4
MED 308	ACCOMPANYING FOR THE MUSIC EDUCATOR	2
Instrumental Techniques Courses:
MED 105	STRINGS I	1
MED 107	PERCUSSION I	1
Select one of the following:		1
MED 101	BRASS I
or MED 102	BRASS II
Select one of the following:		1
MED 103	WOODWINDS I
or MED 104	WOODWINDS II
4 credits of Music Education Electives with advisor approval		4

Liberal Studies Learning Domain Specifications

In the liberal studies learning domains, music education majors enroll in the following courses within the learning domains:

• LSE 380 fulfills the Philosophical Inquiry requirement
• PSC 120 fulfills Self, Society, & the Modern World
• One of the Historical Inquiry courses must be in U.S. History.

Content displayed from this DePaul University catalog page.