Bachelor of Music - Music Education

Program Description

The Bachelor of Music in music education degree prepares students to teach K-12 instrumental and vocal music. The program is comprised of a broad range of courses emphasizing both the theory and practice of music education, taught by a faculty of distinguished music educators. Throughout the junior year, students have the opportunity to refine their skills and knowledge through a partnership with a Chicago Public School. During the senior year, students work with master teachers throughout the Chicagoland area while student teaching. Upon graduation, students are eligible for Illinois music teacher certification.​​​​​

Learning Outcomes

Core Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Perform with an acceptable tone quality, pitch and rhythmic accuracy, dynamic control, articulation, and expressiveness.
• Participate in a musical ensemble, with appropriate technique and musicality.
• Identify and analyze the elements of music in a given piece, including an understanding of its compositional processes, aesthetic properties, and artistic, social, and historical context.
• Identify significant composers and works in the Western music tradition, and trace the evolution of musical styles through the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods, as well as in jazz and select world music cultures.
• Hear, notate, analyze, and perform music through aural skills, sight-singing, and keyboard skills.
• Demonstrate basic conducting knowledge and skills for both instrumental and vocal settings.
• Develop an expanded global awareness and cultural understanding through musical study
• Describe basic information about health and safety within the contexts of practice, performing, teaching, and listening; topics will include hearing, vocal, and musculoskeletal health and injury prevention.

Program Specific Outcomes​

Students will be able to:

• Possess a basic understanding of current music education issues and their impact on music teaching and learning in grades kindergarten through twelve.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of historical perspectives and context of music education practice.
• Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge in the teaching of instrumental music, vocal/choral music, and general music, with specialized knowledge in one or more of these areas.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of research procedures and practices, and express her or his ideas in writing.
• Reflect upon her or his individual practice as a teacher and articulate a philosophy of music education.
• Apply pedagogical knowledge and skills appropriate to the teaching of music, demonstrating an understanding of child development, and addressing the needs of diverse, special needs, and urban populations.