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Music Education Major

Major

To teach is to shape the future. At Bethel, we believe in the value of a music education degree and pride ourselves on a successful teacher preparation program. By establishing your technique in your primary instrument and merging your skills with best practice in teaching and pedagogy, you will leave this program prepared to bring your skills to the real world with Pre-K through 12th grade students.

BU music education students can focus their program track and subsequent licensure in vocal and general music, instrumental and general music, or both. We are committed to developing well-rounded teachers who are outstanding musicians, ready to make their mark on the next generation of music-makers. By building relationships and fine-tuning performance skills, you’ll be ready to fulfill your mission as a music educator.

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Bethel University academics psychology

12- to 15-week

student teaching placements

11:1

student-to-faculty ratio

100%

of students receive some form of financial assistance

Music Education Major

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Program – 4 years

Courses include:

  • Music Theory and History 
  • Conducting 
  • Classroom Management 
  • Education Techniques and Theories 
  • Instrumental and/or Choral Methods

Prepare for an exciting future as a/an:

  • K-12 Music educator 
  • Collegiate music professor 
  • Music director
  • Private teacher  

Recent graduates have found employment as a:

  • K-12 Music Educator (public and private) 
  • Church Music Director 
  • Private Teacher 
  • Band Director 
  • Orchestra Conductor 
  • Choir Director

You’ll gain career-shaping skills such as:

  • How to teach music effectively to a wide range of ages 
  • Advanced music theory, reading, and aural skills 
  • Piano skills 
  • Curriculum planning 
  • Music literature and repertoire

Students Teaching

All students nearing completion of the music education program participate in Student Teaching during their senior year. Our program also offers many opportunities for tutoring and for practicum experiences in local classrooms.

Audition for the Bethel University Music Department

All students interested in pursuing a music major or minor at Bethel University must complete an audition. There are three ways to do this:

  1. Schedule an audition at Bethel University.
  2. Schedule a live video audition appointment.
  3. Submit a video audition.
Schedule an Audition
Audition Requirements
“Bethel provided many advantages in my educational training that I am grateful for. Professors and advisors took a keen interest in students’ lives to help personalize the experience and set students up for success. I was able to be involved in multiple performance groups at a time. Upon graduating, I found that Bethel students have a great reputation among the community and was quickly plugged into the Penn Harris Madison School Corporation.”
Brad Marks ’16
“My time at Bethel solidified me as a confident and independent musician. Smaller class sizes and multiple ensembles gave me so many performance opportunities I was rehearsing and performing every day. This helped me develop a work and practice ethic I still carry with me today. I’m thankful for the guidance I received from the faculty who gave me the attention I needed to grow in all areas as a holistic musician.”
Stefan Roose ’16
Bethel Community Stories
19.03.27 Bethel strong academics

Music Education Highlights

The music education degree prepares students in grades K-12 choral and general education, instrumental and general education, and a combination choral, general and instrumental education. Bethel-prepared teachers are in demand as we have nearly a 100% placement rate. Our reputation, accreditation and up-to-date curriculum make music education a great choice for those who wish to invest in the lives of students. Some of our students go on to graduate school, but most are teaching in area schools.

Academic Catalogs
Accreditation Info
Education Department Accreditation Info

Also Consider These Areas of Study

As you’re pursuing a degree in music education, you may explore pairing it with one of the following degrees:

Music (General) (Major or Minor)
Worship Arts (Major or Minor)
Theatre Arts (Major)

Still deciding?
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Financial Aid

Music Scholarships are available for intended music majors, minors and talented elective students. An application for admission should be submitted before scheduling an audition.

More Info
Schedule an Audition
Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship

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Obtaining a License in Another State

The State of Indiana has a compact agreement with most states. That means that if you hold a valid Indiana license, it should be relatively easy to obtain a license in most states. It is important to obtain your Indiana license first. Other states may have different requirements than Indiana regarding coursework, testing or GPA.

To obtain information for out-of-state licensing, please contact the Department of Education within the state you are seeking licensure. Please visit the United States Department of Education website and select the particular state of interest for license requirements and application procedures.

For current information regarding out-of-state licensing, please visit the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) website.

Have questions? Please contact the Bethel University Education Department, Licensing Advisor.

Take the Next Step

Take the first step toward your Bethel University degree in music education. Visit campus, apply, request information or ask questions about financial aid.