The Bachelor of Music with a music education/instrumental concentration incorporates requirements necessary to qualify for the commonwealth of Virginia’s Collegiate Professional Certificate to teach music in public schools. A prospective student intending to pursue the instrumental concentration endorsement must complete the degree with a primary instrument of wind band or orchestra tradition; for those seeking the vocal-choral concentration endorsement, this instrument must be voice. For a student who wishes to elect the guitar or piano as a primary instrument, please contact the music department for details.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following.
Students will:
- Demonstrate professional music teaching competencies
- Acquire professional procedures
- Demonstrate professional performance skills
- Develop comprehensive musicianship
- Acquire supporting competencies
- Develop artistic/intellectual mission
Special requirements
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for music education students to qualify for student teaching placement. Music education students who do not maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA will not be allowed to continue in the music education track, but may continue in the Bachelor of Arts program or the Bachelor of Music performance track if they meet the minimum requirements that apply to those respective degree programs.
Degree requirements for Music, Bachelor of (B.M.) with a concentration in music education/instrumental
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| APPL 311 | Applied Lessons (principal performing medium) | 2 |
| APPL 312 | Applied Lessons (principal performing medium) | 2 |
| APPL 313 | Applied Lessons (principal performing medium) | 2 |
| APPL 314 | Applied Lessons (principal performing medium) | 2 |
| APPL 415 | Applied Lessons (principal performing medium) | 2 |
| APPL 416 | Applied Lessons and Junior Recital (principal performing medium) | 2 |
| APPM 199 | Recital/Convocation Attendance (four semesters) | 0 |
| APPM 299 | Master Class (six semesters) | 0 |
| APPM 381 | Conducting | 2 |
| MHIS 120 | Music in Culture | 2 |
| MHIS 145 | Theory and Aural Skills I | 4 |
| MHIS 146 | Theory and Aural Skills II | 4 |
| MHIS 245 | Theory and Aural Skills III | 4 |
| MHIS 322 | Classical Music Survey II | 2 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| APPL 320 | Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument (four semesters) | 4 |
| APPM 173 | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| APPM 174 | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| APPM 273 | Keyboard Skills III | 1 |
| MHIS 256 | Musicianship Practicum | 2 |
| MHIS 305 | Form and Analysis I | 2 |
| MHIS 321 | Classical Music Survey I | 2 |
| MUED 301 | Methods and Techniques: Guitar | 1 |
| MUED 302 | Methods and Techniques: Voice | 1 |
| MUED 303 | Methods and Techniques: Woodwinds | 1 |
| MUED 304 | Methods and Techniques: Woodwinds | 1 |
| MUED 305 | Methods and Techniques: Brass | 1 |
| MUED 306 | Methods and Techniques: Strings | 1 |
| MUED 307 | Methods and Techniques: Percussion | 1 |
| MUED 380 | Introduction to Music Education | 2 |
| MUED 381 | Methods and Practicum in Elementary Music Education | 3 |
| MUED 382 | Secondary Methods, Materials and Instruction Techniques | 3 |
| MUED 384 | Marching Band Techniques | 2 |
| MUED 385 | Music Education Technology and Arranging | 2 |
| MUED 386 | Organization and Administration of a Secondary School Music Program | 1 |
| MUED 485 | Music Education Student Teaching I: Elementary | 6 |
| MUED 486 | Music Education Student Teaching II: Secondary | 6 |
| Ensemble requirement (audition may be required): Select seven credits from the following: | 7 | |
| Orchestra | ||
| Symphonic Wind Ensemble | ||
| University Band | ||
| • Major electives | ||
| Ensemble elective (audition may be required): Select at least one from the following list: | 3 | |
| Flute Choir | ||
| Woodwind Ensemble | ||
| Percussion Ensemble | ||
| Percussion Auxiliary | ||
| String Chamber Music | ||
| Brass Ensemble | ||
Additional electives may come from this list or a choice from the ensemble requirement above | ||
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| EDUS 301 | Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 2 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| APPL 311 | Applied Lessons (principal instrument) | 2 |
| APPM 173 | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| APPM 199 | Recital/Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| APPM 299 | Master Class (principal instrument) | 0 |
| APPM 3XX ensemble requirement | 1 | |
| MHIS 145 | Theory and Aural Skills I | 4 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| APPL 312 | Applied Lessons (principal instrument) | 2 |
| APPM 174 | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| APPM 199 | Recital/Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| APPM 299 | Master Class (principal instrument) | 0 |
| APPM 3XX ensemble requirement | 1 | |
| MHIS 146 | Theory and Aural Skills II | 4 |
| MUED 30X Methods and Techniques | 1 | |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| APPL 313 | Applied Lessons (principal instrument) | 2 |
| APPM 199 | Recital/Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| APPM 273 | Keyboard Skills III | 1 |
| APPM 299 | Master Class (principal instrument) | 0 |
| APPM 3XX ensemble elective | 1 | |
| APPM 3XX ensemble requirement | 1 | |
| MHIS 120 | Music in Culture | 2 |
| MHIS 245 | Theory and Aural Skills III | 4 |
| MUED 303 | Methods and Techniques: Woodwinds | 1 |
| MUED 30X Methods and Techniques | 1 | |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| APPL 314 | Applied Lessons (principal instrument) | 2 |
| APPL 320 | Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument | 1 |
| APPM 199 | Recital/Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| APPM 299 | Master Class (principal instrument) | 0 |
| APPM 3XX ensemble elective | 1 | |
| APPM 3XX ensemble requirement | 1 | |
| EDUS 301 | Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| MHIS 256 | Musicianship Practicum | 2 |
| MUED 304 | Methods and Techniques: Woodwinds | 1 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| APPL 320 | Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument | 1 |
| APPL 415 | Applied Lessons (principal instrument) | 2 |
| APPM 299 | Master Class (principal instrument) | 0 |
| APPM 3XX ensemble elective | 1 | |
| APPM 3XX ensemble requirement | 1 | |
| MHIS 305 | Form and Analysis I | 2 |
| MHIS 321 | Classical Music Survey I | 2 |
| MUED 30X Methods and Techniques | 1 | |
| MUED 380 | Introduction to Music Education | 2 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| APPL 320 | Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument | 1 |
| APPL 416 | Applied Lessons and Junior Recital (principal instrument) | 2 |
| APPM 299 | Master Class (principal instrument) | 0 |
| APPM 3XX ensemble requirement | 1 | |
| APPM 381 | Conducting | 2 |
| MHIS 322 | Classical Music Survey II | 2 |
| MUED 30X Methods and Techniques | 1 | |
| MUED 381 | Methods and Practicum in Elementary Music Education | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| APPL 320 | Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument | 1 |
| APPM 3XX ensemble requirement | 1 | |
| MUED 382 | Secondary Methods, Materials and Instruction Techniques | 3 |
| MUED 384 | Marching Band Techniques | 2 |
| MUED 30X Methods and Techniques | 1 | |
| MUED 385 | Music Education Technology and Arranging | 2 |
| MUED 386 | Organization and Administration of a Secondary School Music Program | 1 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open elective | 2 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| MUED 485 | Music Education Student Teaching I: Elementary | 6 |
| MUED 486 | Music Education Student Teaching II: Secondary | 6 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.