Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Music Education (B.Mus.Ed)


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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 will demonstrate mastery of skills needed for high quality music teaching and performing.
  • Students will collaborate and engage with diverse learners and communities.
  • Students will think and reflect critically on varied pedagogical approaches.
  • Students will identify and implement creative musical experiences for 21st-century learners.
  • Students will exhibit professionalism that elevates the value of music education.
  • 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:

  • Purdue University Fort Wayne is an accredited institutional member of 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 (Overall GPA of 3.0). Music Education majors must meet stated GPA requirements for music courses (3.0).

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

Program Requirements:


A student may elect the Pass/Not-Pass grading option for non-degree elective courses only. The Pass/Not-Pass grading option is not available for General Education or any electives required for the major.

Music Education (Choral/General) 4-Yr. Plan:  

Music Education (Instrumental/General) 4-Yr. Plan:  

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


Category B7-Interdisciplinary/Creative Ways of Knowing: Credits 3


Performance Studies: Credits 25


Applied Primary (includes recital): Credits 14


Applied Secondary: Credits 4


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


Criminal History Background reports must be ordered by the students each year they are taking EDU/MUSC courses that require field placements in school settings.

Total: Credits 129-134


Grade Requirements


Grades. Music majors must complete each required music course and education 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.

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 (overall GPA of 3.0), and must meet stated GPA requirements for music courses.

A student may elect the Pass/Not-Pass grading option for non-degree elective courses only. The Pass/Not-Pass grading option is not available to General Education or any electives required for the major.

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 ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. 

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