Program Overview

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree prepares students to become professional music educators. It provides skilled musicians the opportunity to develop expertise as a classroom teacher and ensemble director in K-12 music programs. Much like the Music Performance degree program, students also study applied music on a principal instrument or voice with our artist-faculty and perform in our large ensembles. Music Education students are held to the same high standards of performance as those in other music degree tracks.

The BME degree has two concentrations: Instrumental, and Choral. Coursework is completed at both the CSU College of Education and the Schwob School of Music. Field experiences provide "real-world" experiences for students to transfer directly to the music teaching endeavors after graduation. Our music education faculty specialists, along with applied and ensemble faculty, mentor students through this demanding program, a relationship which continues after graduation. 

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Columbus State University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

In addition to the degree requirements, there are further requirements for teaching certification. Visit the Certification page on the CSU Center for Quality Teaching and Learning (CQTL) website for detailed information about certification requirements and the certification process.

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree leads to licensure in teaching for K-12 instruction in public and private schools.

Program of Study

¹

The hours applied in the Institutional Priorities; Mathematics & Quantitative Skills; and Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences areas must add to 18 credit hours. 

²

ITDS 1145 Comparative Arts, though listed under both Fine Arts and Humanities, may be taken only once. 

³

At least 4 of the credit hours in this area must be in a lab science course.

Major Requirements

¹

Note: Students in the Choral-Keyboard Track substitute two semesters of MUSA 1216 Secondary Applied Voice for MUSA 2313 Keyboard Class I and MUSA 2314 Keyboard Class II.

²

Courses in this area require Admission to Teacher Education Program.

Program Map 

¹

Must be taken in Year 1, either Fall or Spring.

²

Take the music major section in the following courses: ITDS 1145 Comparative Arts, MUSC 1100 Music Appreciation, and EDUC 2130 Exploring Learning and Teaching.

³

Or take in a Maymester for best scheduling options.

⁴

Note that student teaching begins in January (Spring term).

⁵

There is a recent rule change for certification from the GaPSC.  As of July 1,  2019, students must make a B or higher in the Exceptional Children's course.  The course could be any of the following depending on your major:

SPED 2256, EDCI 6228, KINS 4245, SPED 4115, PHED 6219

This rule change will not affect your graduation but you cannot become a certified educator with the state of Georgia until you receive the grade of B or higher in this course. 

First-year spring notes: MUSA 2221 Applied Music jury examination advises student in continuing in this major.

Second-year spring notes: MUSA 2221 Applied Music jury examination determines whether the student may continue in the major or must identify other options. At the end of this semester, apply for admission to Teacher Education.

Admission Requirements

Prospective music majors must demonstrate basic aptitude in a performance medium through a placement audition and interview. Specific audition requirements are listed here:  https://music.columbusstate.edu/admissions/audition-dates.php  Transfer students: Please note that placement in music courses is based on audition and testing results and not necessarily on previous college credit.

Additional Program Requirements

In order to be accepted as a music major, each student must demonstrate aptitude in his/her major instrument or voice through a placement audition and interview with a member of the music faculty. All newly admitted music majors also must take placement examinations in music theory and piano. Music majors who take time off before completing degree requirements will be required to re-audition if they have missed a full academic year (fall and spring, or spring and fall).

Transfer students: Please note that placement in music courses is based on audition and testing results and not necessarily on previous college credit.

General Requirements

All music majors are required to attend all master classes in their major instrument and must perform at least once each semester in a recital or master class. All students enrolled in applied music must be concurrently enrolled in the major music ensemble activity that corresponds to their major instrument (Strings-Orchestra, Winds/Percussion – Wind Ensemble, Voice-Choral Ensemble).