Oct 15, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Music Education (B.Mus.Ed)


Program: Bachelor of Music Education
School of Music  
College Visual and Performing Arts

Rhinehart Music Center 144 ~ 260-481-6714


Graduates of this program hold positions teaching music in Indiana and across the nation, and find that their education, with its mixture of rigorous course work and field work experiences in area schools, prepares them well for the challenges of contemporary music education. Upon completion of the music education course work and student teaching, students are prepared to apply for state license in PK-12 Choral/General Music or PK-12 Instrumental/General Music.


The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows:

  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of music theory sufficient to analyze musical forms, structures, and styles; to create within basic musical structures; and to relate theoretical concepts to sound.
  • Students will demonstrate performance ability as ensemble members, as conductors, and as soloists on both a primary instrument and a secondary instrument.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the history and literature of western and non-western music, with an understanding of the social, political and cultural impacts which shaped music history.
  • Students will demonstrate proficiency in utilizing appropriate technology to notate and create music, to investigate and report scholarly research, and to support the specific demands of their professional degrees.

Student learning outcomes specific to the Bachelor of Music Education degree are:

  • Students in this program will demonstrate their knowledge of music education history, philosophy, methodologies, and repertoire, and their ability to apply musical and pedagogical knowledge to the PK-12 classroom setting. Upon completion of the course work and student teaching, students are prepared to apply for state license in PK-12 Choral/General Music or PK-12 Instrumental/General Music.

Program Description

Students can take the next step in sharing music with others by entering the professional world of music teaching. Join our successful alumni teaching in music programs in Indiana and across the nation in experiencing a mixture of rigorous course work and field work experiences in area schools. Students will leave this program with skills on the cutting edge of music education in either the instrumental or choral area, having completed both their music education degree, and a state license in K-12 Choral/General Music or K-12 Instrumental/General Music, ready to enter a professional teaching career bolstered by strong musical roots and contemporary approaches to helping other gain a love of this art.

Accreditation:

  • Programs offered by the school are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and the American Music Therapy Association.

Program Delivery:

  • This program is available on campus though some courses may be available as distance learning.

Declaring this Major:

  • Students who choose to major in music must be accepted by both Purdue University Fort Wayne and the School of Music. For information regarding admission to the university, see the Office of Admissions web page: http://pfw.edul/admissions. 
  • Acceptance into the School of Music is not automatic upon acceptance by the university. All accepted students who indicate music as their major are placed into the Pre-Music category by the Admissions Office. Full acceptance as a music major is contingent upon a successful audition. 
  • Auditions. Information about audition requirements are found on the school web site: http://pfw.edu/music.

General Requirements:

To earn the Bachelor of Music Education degree, one must satisfy the requirements of Purdue Fort Wayne (Regulations ), the music core, and School of Education requirements for music education students and must meet stated GPA requirements for music courses (3.0) and Professional Education Courses (3.0)

Students in this degree are subject to the policies for all music degrees found on the School of Music .

General Education Requirements: Credits 33


General Education Requirements    

Category A1 Written Communication: Credits 3


Category B5 Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing: Credits 3


Category B6-Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing: Credits 3


  • Cr. 3.
  • MUSC10500 Traditions in World Music is required for all music degrees and should be taken to fulfill general education Area VI and accreditation requirements.

Performance Studies: Credits 25


Applied Primary (includes recital): Credits 14


Applied Secondary: Credits 4


Non-keyboard Applied Primaries take:


Keyboard Applied Primaries take:


Ensemble: Credits 7


7 semesters of major ensemble are required

See School of Music Ensemble  Requirements

Professional Music Concentration Courses


Professional Education Courses: Credits 18


Total: Credits 130-134


Grade Requirements


Grades. Music majors must complete each required music course with a grade of C- or better.  Two unsuccessful attempts to attain a grade of C- or better in the same required music course will result in dismissal from the School of Music. 

By the end of the sophomore year music education majors must either hold a minimum ACT score of 24 or 1100 on the SAT(reading and math) or successful completion of the CASA Examination.

To earn the Bachelor of Music Education degree, one must satisfy the requirements of Purdue Fort Wayne (Regulations), the music core, and College of Education and Public Policy requirements for music education students and must meet stated GPA requirements for music courses (3.0) and Professional Education Courses (3.0)

Exceptions to academic policies require a written request to the music faculty in consultation with the student’s advisor.

Student Responsibility


You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies and procedures governing your academic career. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate director or dean.