Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Choral/General Concentration
Instrumental Concentration

Music Education Home
Choral/General Concentration
Instrumental Concentration

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education program provides professional preparation and educational experiences that culminate in directed teaching and the awarding of the baccalaureate degree. The curriculum is designed to develop the musician and educator in the distinctive Conservatory setting while meeting the standards for teacher licensure established by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Graduates who are licensed in Virginia obtain licensure in other states through standard reciprocal agreements.

ADMISSION 

Students are admitted to the Bachelor of Music in Music Education (BME) degree program based on the entrance criteria established by the university and Conservatory. Students follow the recommended course of study published in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education handbook for the year of entrance to the university.

All initial licensure teacher education programs at Shenandoah University require that (1) the PRAXIS I exam must be taken before admission to candidacy in teacher education programs, and (2) the PRAXIS II exam must be taken in the student’s last year prior to graduation. In addition, PK-3 and PK-6 elementary education candidates must take the Virginia Reading Assessment(VRA) before program completion.

Prior to the junior year, students are required to complete written domain requirements, a math elective, public speaking, technology in music and either pass the Praxis I test or present a satisfactory combined SAT score. Students who achieved a score of 1100 (with a minimum verbal score of 530 and a minimum mathematics score of 530) on the SAT taken after April 1, 1995, or a score of 1000 (with a minimum verbal score of 450 and a minimum mathematics score of 510) on the SAT taken prior to April 1, 1995 do not need to take the Praxis I test. Prior to the junior year, students are required to complete ENG 101, a math elective, technology in music and complete a minimum of 16 observation hours prior to the end of the sophomore year. Students that complete these requirements and a screening interview, and that are in good standing with a minimum 2.5 grade point average, are admitted to the Professional Licensure Track (PLT).

AREA OF CONCENTRATION

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education curriculum is offered with choral/general concentration or instrumental concentration. Students wishing to be licensed in both the instrumental and choral/general areas ("dual licensure") must complete an additional 13.5 credit hours in the second area of concentration.

Areas of concentration are based on the student’s applied major (traditional band and orchestral instruments = instrumental concentration, and voice, piano or guitar = choral/general concentration).

Students seeking dual licensure must participate in an ensemble which represents the secondary area of licensure for at least two semesters.

DIRECTED TEACHING IN MUSIC

Directed Teaching in Music is required during the senior year of the Bachelor of Music in Music Education curriculum. Students must make application with their advisor prior to the planned directed teaching, usually the spring semester of the junior year.To be accepted for directed teaching, the student must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.

In addition, all courses that are prerequisite to directed teaching (see degree requirements) must be passed with a minimum grade of “C” or repeated until a grade of “C” has been earned. Note that university policy provides that a student may repeat a course a maximum of two times. The content of each prerequisite course is stated in course syllabi and is evaluated and graded so that a grade of “C” certifies that the student has mastered the minimum skills necessary to succeed in teaching.

Screening interviews are conducted at the end of the sophomore year. These screening interviews assess student academic, personal and professional progress.

Instrumental concentration students must complete MUED 329 and MUED 330 at Shenandoah University prior to directed teaching. Choral/general concentration students must complete MUED 321, MUED 322, and MUED 323 at Shenandoah University prior to directed teaching. In applied music, the student must complete AP** 322 before undertaking directed teaching. Students in the Professional Licensure Track must also complete the Praxis II Music Content Test.

Pre-directed teaching observation of elementary and secondary music classes is required of all music education students. Observations must include hours in both elementary and secondary settings.The total observation requirement must be completed prior to admission to directed teaching.

Complete forms and information concerning pre-directed teaching observations, personal and competency screening (public speaking and technology), and directed teaching application are included in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education Handbook.

Go to the choral/general concentration page.

Go to the instrumental concentration page.

Download a copy of choral/general sequence of courses.

Download a copy of instrumental sequence of courses.

Download a copy of dual licensure requirements.

GENERAL INFORMATION
No information contained herein shall be deemed to amend or modify the official catalogue of Shenandoah University. This replica is intended to provide information that will assist Conservatory students. The University reserves the right to make changes in policy, regulations, and fees, as circumstances dictate subsequent to the reproduction of this replica.