Bachelor of Music - Music Education - Instrumental K-12

University of Minnesota Duluth's (UMD) Bachelor of Music degree with a major in Music Education (Instrumental or Vocal) provides students with the knowledge, skills, and musicianship to become vital music educators. Building on a core curriculum that includes music theory, history, and literature, as well as extensive ensemble performance and applied study, Music Education majors complete education courses that fulfill Minnesota Licensure requirements (K-12).

Instrumental K-12:

This emphasis is for students planning to teach classroom or instrumental music. Completion of this degree results in the student receiving Minnesota Teacher Licensure, Instrumental and Classroom Music Grades K-12.

UMD hits all the high notes:

• Specialized study in conducting, classroom methods, and instrumental or choral techniques develops the fundamental skills and sensitivity needed for K-12 music educators.
• Moreover, a layered system of devoted faculty in partnership with local educational organizations supports students as they transition from UMD’s coursework to becoming leaders in their own classrooms, studios, and stages.
• Learn, practice, and perform with students from many different states and multiple continents in beautiful Weber Music Hall, a dedicated Department of Music facility that is recognized across the country for its top-tier acoustics.
• UMD's exceptional faculty are specialists on their instruments and in their fields and continue to record and to travel internationally to perform on the world’s stages, yet they are also passionate about teaching and about students' education and development as musicians and people.

The Department of Music at the University of Minnesota Duluth is proud to be a fully accredited member of NASM, the National Association of Schools of Music.

Acquired Skills

Music training hones the following skills that are applicable to any career:

• Self-discipline & persistence
• Problem-solving
• Entrepreneurship
• Confidence
• Research techniques
• Ability to synthesize feedback/constructive criticism

The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), which accredits UMD’s Music programs, ensures that our program addresses specific Music Education competencies.

Graduates of the baccalaureate degree program in Music Education satisfy Minnesota educator Standards of Effective Practice, leading to k-12 licensure in music. 

Career Possibilities

UMD Music graduates continue on to graduate school to further their research or enjoy many different careers as music educators, professional performers, composers, conductors, music therapists, instrument repair technicians, music librarians, and sound editors, to name just a few.

Additionally, as a complement to any other field of work, a study in music opens the pathways to creative thinking, sharpens skills in collaboration and the ability to listen, and develops a way of thinking that weaves together disparate ideas.

Playing music also trains individuals to focus on the present and the future simultaneously. For these reasons and more, music is highly regarded as a complementary background for students pursuing careers in many other areas.