Music Education Major (M)
As a music education student, you’ll study music theory, composition, conducting, music history, and forms of the medieval, baroque, pre-classical, romantic, and 20th century periods from around the globe. With such a thorough background, you’ll gain the skills and to share this knowledge with your own students.
Learn the ins and outs of all the instruments in an ensemble by becoming a teacher for K-12 band or orchestra. The K-12 Music Education curriculum teaches many levels of music theory and music history, conducting, and techniques for teaching brass, woodwinds, percussion, and strings. In addition to learning in the classroom, stay active in your instrumental skills by participating in an ensemble of your choice each semester.
Use your voice to inspire in more than one way by becoming a teacher for K-12 chorus. The K-12 Music Education curriculum will take you through different levels of music theory and music history, conducting, voice teaching techniques, along with participating in an ensemble of your choice each semester.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Pupil Development. The teacher understands how pupils grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas. The teacher designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences for pupils.
- Learning Differences. The teacher uses his or her understanding of individual pupil differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each pupil to meet high standards.
- Learning Environments. The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
- Content Knowledge. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of each discipline he or she teaches. The teacher creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for pupils to assure mastery of the content.
- Application of Content. The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage pupils in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
- Assessment. The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage pupils in their own growth, to monitor pupil progress, and to guide the teacher’s and pupil’s decision making.
- Planning for Instruction. The teacher plans instruction that supports every pupil in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, pedagogy, pupils, and pupils’ communities.
- Instructional Strategies. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage pupils to develop a deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to develop skills to apply knowledge in a meaningful way.
- Professional Learning and Ethical Practice. The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning. The teacher uses evidence to continuously evaluate the teacher’s practice, including the effects of the teacher’s choices and actions on pupils, their families, other educators, and the community. The teacher adapts the teacher’s practice to meet the needs of each pupil.
- Leadership and Collaboration. The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunity in order to take responsibility for pupil learning, to collaborate with pupils, their families, educators, and the community, and to advance the profession.
- CUW Faith Standard: Educators model Christian servant leadership by demonstrating consistent moral and ethical behavior, inspiring others by example in their personal, professional, and community lives. In Christian schools, teachers integrate faith and learning, embodying a biblical worldview while fostering a value system that emphasizes character, mission, and service. Teacher candidates seeking the Lutheran Teacher Diploma adhere to the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Curriculum
NOTE: All licensable majors and minors require that students pass applicable content examinations for licensure in the state of Wisconsin.
NOTE: Art Education, Business Education, Music Education, and Physical Education, are licensable as K-12 programs only.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 45 - 48 | |
| Major Requirements | 31 - 37 | |
| Major Subject Area | 54 | |
| Total Hours | 130-139 | |
NOTE: Check with the Chair of the Secondary Education Department for possible changes in this major.
Core Curriculum - 45 - 48 Credits
Concordia Common Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theology - Public Education | ||
| REL 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
| REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC) | ||
| REL 2010 | Old Testament | 3 |
| REL 2020 | New Testament | 3 |
| REL 2030 | Biblical Theology | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Dimensions | ||
| ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
| COMM 1100 | Public Speaking (OR a language course) | 3 |
| or COMM 2100 | Interpersonal Communication | |
| Faith and Life Elective: Any course with REL prefix other than REL 1000, 1100, 2010, 2020, 2030 | 3 | |
| ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
| HHP Activity Course | 1 | |
| Human Creativity and Expression: 3 credits of applied music | 3 | |
| MATH 1250 | Contemporary Math | 3 |
| or MATH 1280 | College Algebra | |
| SCI 1100 | Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences | 4 |
| ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
| Note: Two CUW - approved writing intensive courses are required for graduation. Other Electives if under 120 credits: | 3-6 | |
K-12 Curriculum - 31 - 37 credits
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Education Seminars (seminars are graded as pass/fail) | ||
| ED 1000 | Orientation Seminar | 0 |
| ED 2000 | UDS Seminar | 0 |
| ED 3000 | Student Teaching Seminar | 0 |
| Theoretical & Practical Components | ||
| ED 1230 | Nature of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ED 1275 | Human Learning | 3 |
| ED 3318 | The Art & Science of Planning 2 | 3 |
| ED 4337 | The Art and Science of Assessment 2,3 | 3 |
| ED 4339 | The Art and Science of Instruction 2,3 | 3 |
| ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 2 | 3 |
| Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester) | ||
| ED 4414 | Portfolio Completion-Secondary 2 | 1 |
| ED 4452 | Secondary Education Student Teaching | 12 |
| Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| Christian Teacher Certification Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| REL 3860 | Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church | 3 |
| REL 3500 | A Survey of Christian Thought | 3 |
| PHIL 3250 | Christian Apologetics | 3 |
| PHIL 3340 | Christ and Culture | 3 |
Major Requirements - 54 credits
Pending Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction approval
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses in the Creative Arts Core | ||
Applied Music (3 credits worth in the Creative Arts Core) | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| Applied Music (11 credits in addition to the 3 credits from the Creative Arts Core) 6 | 11 | |
| MUS 1241 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 1262 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 2241 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS 2262 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MUS 1251 | Aural Theory I | 1 |
| MUS 1272 | Aural Theory II | 1 |
| MUS 2251 | Aural Theory III | 1 |
| MUS 2272 | Aural Theory IV | 1 |
| MUS 3270 | World Music History | 3 |
| MUS 3271 | Music History I | 3 |
| MUS 3272 | Music History II | 3 |
| MUS 3273 | Music History III | 3 |
| MUS 3450 | Beginning Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 3451 | Advanced Conducting | 3 |
| MUS 3455 | Techniques of Teaching Voice | 1 |
| MUS 3456 | Techniques of Teaching Brass | 1 |
| MUS 3457 | Techniques of Teaching Woodwinds | 1 |
| MUS 3458 | Techniques of Teaching Percussion | 1 |
| MUS 3459 | Techniques of Teaching Strings | 1 |
| MUS 4499 | Senior Recital | 1 |
| Ensemble 2 | 0 | |
| Education Methods Courses | ||
| ED 3378 | Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Choral Education 3,4 | 2 |
| or ED 3379 | Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Instrumental Music | |
| ED 3403 | Elementary General Music Methods | 2 |
| Total Hours | 54 | |
- 2
Participation in ensembles is required every semester while in residency. All music majors and minors audit ensembles.
- 3
Music Education Majors take the corresponding Methods course (choral or instrumental) based on their desired emphasis (choral or instrumental).
- 4
Requires Upper Division Status
- 5
Demonstration of specific content knowledge is required for licensure. This includes a content-based portfolio along with a GPA of 3.0 in the above content classes or a score of 150 or better on the Praxis II examination 5113 Music: Content Knowledge.
- 6
Minimum of 4 credits on secondary instrument.
- 7
ED4337 and ED4339 are taken concurrently the Fall prior to student teaching.
Plan - Public Education
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 1241 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 1251 | Aural Theory I | 1 |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| ED 1000 | Orientation Seminar | 0 |
| CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
| TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING (MUSIC) | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| MUS 1262 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 1272 | Aural Theory II | 1 |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING (MUSIC) | 1 | |
| TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING (MUSIC) | 1 | |
| CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
| REL 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| MUS 2241 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS 2251 | Aural Theory III | 1 |
| ED 1275 | Human Learning | 3 |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| ED 1230 | Nature of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING (MUSIC) | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| MUS 2262 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MUS 2272 | Aural Theory IV | 1 |
| TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING (MUSIC) | 1 | |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| ED 2000 | UDS Seminar | 0 |
| MATH 1250 | Contemporary Math | 3 |
| MUS 3270 | World Music History | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| MUS 3450 | Beginning Conducting | 2 |
| SCI 1100 | Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences | 4 |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| MUS 3271 | Music History I | 3 |
| COMM 1100 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| MUS 3451 | Advanced Conducting | 3 |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| MUS 3272 | Music History II | 3 |
| ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching | 3 |
| ED 3379 | Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Instrumental Music | 2 |
| HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
| ED 3318 | The Art & Science of Planning | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| MUS 3273 | Music History III | 3 |
| ED 3000 | Student Teaching Seminar | 0 |
| ED 3403 | Elementary General Music Methods | 2 |
| ED 4337 | The Art and Science of Assessment | 3 |
| ED 4339 | The Art and Science of Instruction | 3 |
| HHP ACTIVITY | 1 | |
| MUS 4499 | Senior Recital | 1 |
| REL ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| ED 4414 | Portfolio Completion-Secondary | 1 |
| ED 4452 | Secondary Education Student Teaching | 12 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 130 | |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| REL 2010 | Old Testament | 3 |
| MUS 1241 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 1251 | Aural Theory I | 1 |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMSBLE | 2 | |
| ED 1000 | Orientation Seminar | 0 |
| ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
| TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING (MUSIC) | 1 | |
| Hours | 19 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| MUS 1262 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 1272 | Aural Theory II | 1 |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING (MUSIC) | 1 | |
| TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING (MUSIC) | 1 | |
| CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
| REL 2020 | New Testament | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| MUS 2241 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS 2251 | Aural Theory III | 1 |
| ED 1275 | Human Learning | 3 |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| ED 1230 | Nature of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| REL 2030 | Biblical Theology | 3 |
| TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING (MUSIC) | 1 | |
| Hours | 19 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| MUS 2262 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MUS 2272 | Aural Theory IV | 1 |
| TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING (MUSIC) | 1 | |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| ED 2000 | UDS Seminar | 0 |
| MATH 1250 | Contemporary Math | 3 |
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| MUS 3270 | World Music History | 3 |
| Hours | 19 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| MUS 3450 | Beginning Conducting | 2 |
| SCI 1100 | Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences | 4 |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| REL ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| MUS 3271 | Music History I | 3 |
| COMM 1100 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| MUS 3451 | Advanced Conducting | 3 |
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| MUS 3272 | Music History II | 3 |
| ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching | 3 |
| ED 3379 | Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Instrumental Music | 2 |
| HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
| ED 3318 | The Art & Science of Planning | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC & ENSEMBLE | 2 | |
| MUS 3273 | Music History III | 3 |
| ED 3000 | Student Teaching Seminar | 0 |
| ED 3403 | Elementary General Music Methods | 2 |
| ED 4337 | The Art and Science of Assessment | 3 |
| ED 4339 | The Art and Science of Instruction | 3 |
| HHP ACTIVITY COURSE | 1 | |
| REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| MUS 4499 | Senior Recital | 1 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| ED 4452 | Secondary Education Student Teaching | 12 |
| ED 4414 | Portfolio Completion-Secondary | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 139 | |
Please see your advisor for more information.