Music Education, B.S. (Certifiable for PK-12 teaching)
The CCSU Department of Music is dedicated to the development of competent and aesthetically sensitive musicians, intellectually deepened by a broad liberal arts education. Within the context of the music education program, we prepare musicians for careers as the next generation of public school music teachers in Connecticut and beyond. At the same time our program prepares students with strategies to cultivate artistic leadership in their chosen field. We strive to foster in all students life-long connection and involvement with the art of music.
The performance and scholarship of our faculty serves as an artistic and intellectual resource for Connecticut.
A minor is not required with this major.
Requirements
MUS 102 and three semesters of major ensemble are double counted in Study Area I.
Core
Required
Six semesters of:
Music Education students with a primary instrument in woodwinds, brass, or percussion are required to take MUS 142B (Wind Symphony & Marching Band) in the Fall, and MUS 142A (Wind Symphony) in the Spring.
MUS 141 Chorus is the required ensemble for students with voice, piano, or classical guitar as the primary instrument.
String students are required to take MUS 143 Sinfonietta when offered, or another approved ensemble as a substitute.
Five of the six following:
Seven semesters of:
| MUS 178 | Applied Music for Majors | 1 |
| MUS 278 | Applied Music for Majors II | 1 |
| MUS 378 | Applied Music for Majors III | 1 |
| MUS 478 | Applied Music for Majors IV | 1 |
Professional Education Requirements
| MUS 101 | Practicum in Music Education | 1 |
| MUS 310 | General Music Education | 3 |
| MUS 317 | Secondary Music Methods | 4 |
| EDTE 314 | Applying Learning Theories in Diverse Settings (K-12 Programs) | 3 |
| SPED 315 | Introduction to Educating Learners with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| EDSC 425 | Multicultural, Interdisciplinary Teaching at the Secondary Level | 3 |
| EDSC 420 | Student Teaching - Elementary Music Education | 4.5 |
| EDSC 421 | Student Teaching - Secondary Music Education | 4.5 |
| MUS 402 | Student Teaching Seminar | 1 |
General Education Requirements
Students in this program must take the following as part of their general education requirements:
| HIST 161 | American History to 1877 | 3 |
| or | |
| HIST 162 | American History from 1877 to Present | 3 |
| | |
| PSY 236 | Life-Span Development | 3 |
| | |
| EDF 215 | Education in a Multicultural Society | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 59
Note: Students enrolled in MUS 177 must pay an extra fee of $200 each semester. Students enrolled in MUS 178, MUS 278, MUS 378, or MUS 478 must pay an extra fee of $400 each semester. This fee is non-refundable and subject to change. All students enrolled in MUS 178, MUS 278, MUS 378, or MUS 478 must perform in one student recital per year.
All music majors are required to enroll in MUS 090 every semester except while enrolled in either EDSC 420/EDSC 421.
All students must be enrolled in a major ensemble every semester in which they are enrolled as full-time music majors except the semester they student teach. All part-time students must be enrolled in a major ensemble for six semesters. The Department of Music reserves the right to assign students to major ensembles.
Music Education majors must pass all portions of the piano proficiency before student teaching.
The piano proficiency exam may be taken a total of four times, and students must demonstrate a minimum of proficiency in each category to pass. Most students should begin taking this exam during their sophomore year while completing MUS 351 Piano Class IV. Five of the eight categories of the piano proficiency exam must be passed before acceptance into the professional program. All of the exam must be passed the semester before student teaching.
The piano proficiency exam may be taken a total of four times, and students must demonstrate a minimum proficiency in all 8 categories to pass. Most students should begin taking this exam during their sophomore year.
The piano proficiency exam consists of the following:
- Playing major and harmonic minor scales (up to 4 sharps and flats), two octaves, hands together;
- Playing a prepared intermediate-level piece from the recommended list, piece using a score;
- Playing a prepared intermediate-level piece from the recommended list, memorized;
- Playing the Star-Spangled Banner;
- Harmonizing a simple melody;
- Transposing the same melody up or down a major/minor second;
- Sight-reading a simple piano piece; and
- Sight-reading a simple accompaniment.