Bachelor of Science in Music Education

Requirements

137 credits

Admissions and Retention in the Music Education Program

Students are admitted to the School of Music through the formal application, audition, and interview process, but are admitted provisionally to the Music Education Program. At the completion of the fourth semester, students will be evaluated for full admission as a Candidate in the program. Students who earn a 3.00 cumulative GPA (with minimum B grade in all music education classes), pass the Basic Skills Certification Tests, complete a favorable interview with department faculty, and pass the Sophomore Evaluation, may be admitted formally into the program. Those with continued success in the program may apply for student teaching. Remaining Certification Tests, required coursework, and student teaching must be completed before recommendation for certification.

Certification

Students who successfully complete the entire baccalaureate program and achieve satisfactory scores on all state-mandated Praxis Exams may apply for Pennsylvania Department of Education certification, Instructional Level I, Music PK–12. The teacher education curriculum offered by Duquesne prepares students to teach general, band, choral, and orchestral music in PK–12 school settings. Level II certification is issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education after completion of 24 post-graduate credits and a minimum of three successful years of teaching within a six-year period.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate personal commitment to the art of music, to teaching music as an element of civilization, and to encouraging the artistic and intellectual development of students—while fulfilling these commitments as independent professionals.
2. Lead their own students to an understanding of music as an art form, as a means of communication, and as a part of their intellectual and cultural heritage.
3. Inspire others and excite the imagination of their students, engendering a respect for music and a desire for musical knowledge and experiences.
4. Articulate logical rationales for music as a basic component of general education, and present the goals and objectives of a school music program effectively to parents, professional colleagues, and administrators.
5. Work productively within specific education systems, promote scheduling patterns that optimize music instruction, maintain positive relationships with individuals of various social and ethnic groups, and be empathetic with students and colleagues of differing backgrounds.
6. Evaluate ideas, methods, and policies in the arts, the humanities, and in arts education for their influence on the musical and cultural development of students in school music programs.
7. Remain current with developments in the art of music and in teaching; make independent, in-depth evaluations of their relevance; and to use the results to improve musicianship and teaching skills.

Curriculum

Year 1 - Fall (18 credits)

Year 1 - Spring (18 credits)

Year 2 - Fall (18 credits)

Year 2 - Spring (17 credits)

Year 3 - Fall (18 credits)

Year 3 - Spring (18 credits)

Year 4 - Fall (17 credits)

Year 4 - Spring (13 credits)

¹ Choose either MUEN 371 Instrumental Conducting or MUEN 372 Choral Conducting.

² Recommend THEO or PHIL attribute.

³ Choose one course from among MUED 310 Advanced Choral Methods (3 credits), MUED 312 Advanced Band Methods (2 credits), and MUED 314 Advanced String Methods (3 credits). MUED 321 Teaching Lab (1 credit) is required if taking Advanced Band Methods. Student-teaching placements in high schools require the corresponding Advanced Methods.

⁴ The Junior Recital may also be completed during the fall semester of the junior year.

⁵ Recommend LTFL 102 Ethics, Education, and the Teaching Profession.