Music Education, BM
The Bachelor of Music in Music Education is a 120-credit comprehensive program that leads to Georgia K-12 teacher certification in music. Clayton State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. All education programs at Clayton State have been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Students who meet the Georgia Professional Standards Commission requirements for licensure will be eligible to teach PK-12 music in the Georgia public schools.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Hear, identify and manipulate with fluency in sound and notation the elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre, and texture.
- Demonstrate proficiency in solo and collaborative performance including technical competency, sight-reading, interpretive skill and artistic self-expression.
- Think, speak and write clearly and effectively about music.
- Develop teaching and coaching skills appropriate to the performance medium and in the context of the elementary and secondary classroom.
Honor Societies and Clubs
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is designed to support, augment, and supplement the educational and professional development of music education majors, as is Mu Phi Epsilon (Coeducational Music Fraternity).
Audition
Students who wish to major in Music Education must successfully audition for members of the faculty. Information about music and music education auditions is available from the office of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and on the Department’s webpage. In addition, students must pass a Sophomore Barrier before enrolling in certain 3000- or 4000-level music courses.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core IMPACTS | 42 | |
| All core curriculum recommendations are shown under the Core IMPACTS section of the Undergraduate Graduation Requirements. | ||
| Lower Division Field of Study Requirements | 18 | |
| MUSC 1011 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUSC 1012 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUSC 1111 | Aural Skills I | 1 |
| MUSC 1112 | Aural Skills II | 1 |
| MUSC 1710 | Major Ensemble (four semesters) | 4 |
| MUSC 2111 | Aural Skills III | 1 |
| MUSC 2112 | Aural Skills IV | 1 |
| MUSC 2500 | Primary Applied Music (four semesters) | 1-2 |
| Required Courses | 60 | |
| MUSC 0890 | Recital Attendance (six semesters) | 0 |
| MUSC 2011 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUSC 2012 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MUSC 2152 | Class Piano IV | 1 |
| MUSC 2900 | Intro. to Music Ed. and Tech. | 2 |
| MUSC 3431 | Beginning Conducting | 1 |
| MUSC 3432 | Advanced Conducting | 1 |
| MUSC 3410 | Major Ensemble (three semesters) | 3 |
| MUSC 3614 | Music History Survey I | 3 |
| MUSC 3615 | Music History Survey II | 3 |
| MUSC 3820 | Improvisation | 1 |
| MUSC 3890 | Junior Recital | 0 |
| MUSC 3910 | Elementary Music Methods | 3 |
| MUSC 4500 | Primary Applied Music (three semesters) | 1-2 |
| MUSC 4930 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| EDUC 2110 | Invest. Critical/Contem. Issue | 3 |
| EDUC 2120 | Exploring Socio-Culture | 3 |
| EDUC 2130 | Exploring Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 3030 | Exploring the Exceptional Learner | 3 |
| Choose one of the following emphasis areas: | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Required Courses Emphasis Areas
Instrumental Music Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 1310 | Class Voice | 1 |
| MUSC 3450 | String Methods and Materials | 1 |
| MUSC 3451 | Brass Methods and Materials | 1 |
| MUSC 3452 | Percussion Methods & Materials | 1 |
| MUSC 3453 | Woodwind Methods and Materials | 1 |
| MUSC 4922 | Instrumental Methods and Materials I | 2 |
| MUSC 4923 | Instrumental Methods and Materials II | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Vocal Music Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 1771 | Diction for Singers I | 1 |
| MUSC 2771 | Diction for Singers II | 1 |
| MUSC 4700 | Vocal Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUSC 4910 | Choral Methods and Literature | 2 |
| Choose two from the following: | 2 | |
| String Methods and Materials | ||
| Brass Methods and Materials | ||
| Percussion Methods & Materials | ||
| Woodwind Methods and Materials | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Other Music Education Graduation Requirements
- A minimum of 39 hours of 3000- or 4000-level courses is required for graduation.
- No grades of D in upper-division courses are allowed in the Bachelor of Music Education degree program. Upper-division courses are all courses other than those in Core IMPACTS or Field of Study. 1000- or 2000-level courses used in the upper division are included in this restriction. Additionally:
- No grades of D are allowed for any MUSC, THEA, or DANC course at any level.
- No grades of D are allowed for any course for students in the Music Education program.
- Requirements specific to the Music Education Program:
- To graduate with a BM degree, students must demonstrate proficiency in keyboard skills, in ear training, and in performance, and must attend performances and forums.
- Students must pass the Sophomore Barrier (usually at the end of the sophomore year) in order to enroll in upper-division music courses.
- MUSC 2301 Introduction to World Music (Introduction to World Music) must be taken as an elective if not taken in Core IMPACTS.
Admission and Readmission Requirements into the Music Education Certification Program
Students must meet the following criteria before submitting their applications for admission into the teacher education certification program. Contact the Division of Music or the Department of Teacher Education for more information or an application.
- Admission to Clayton State University. (Transfer students who meet the criteria below may simultaneously submit applications for the University and for teacher education program admission—two separate application forms.)
- Completion of at least 45 semester hours of college credit (minimum requirement to submit application). Students are required to complete all Field of Study courses, MUSC 2900 Intro. to Music Ed. and Tech., and MUSC 2301 Introduction to World Music.
- Grades of A, B, C, or K in all applicable Core IMPACT and Field of Study courses. Students must have a grade of C or better in all courses required for the degree.
- A cumulative Institutional Grade Point Average of 2.50.
- A Program Grade Point Average of 2.50 based upon all coursework last attempted in Core IMPACT and Field of Study courses.
- Successful completion of MUSC 2900 Intro. to Music Ed. and Tech. with a grade of C or better with documentation of 35 field experience hours.
- Successful completion of MUSC 2301 Introduction to World Music with a grade of C or better.
In order for a student to be eligible to begin taking upper-division courses in teacher education, the following requirements must be met:
- Written notification of program acceptance. (Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee acceptance.)
- Completion of all Area F courses and a minimum of 24 hours in Core IMPACTS and MUSC 2900 Intro. to Music Ed. and Tech. and MUSC 2301 Introduction to World Music with grades of A, B, C, or K.
- Maintenance of the 2.50 or better Program Grade Point Average as explained above and 2.5 or better institutional Grade Point Average.
- Submit a one-page essay on why you want to be a music teacher.
- Successful completion of Sophomore Barrier – Music Education.
- Documentation of teaching observations (this is satisfied in EDUC 2110 Invest. Critical/Contem. Issue, EDUC 2120 Exploring Socio-Culture, or EDUC 2130 Exploring Learning & Teaching at CSU).
- Completion of the GACE Basic Skills Assessment. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GPSC) has adopted the following policy: "Students will be required to pass all sections (reading, writing, and mathematics) of an academic skills test prior to entry into the preparation program for their initial educator certificate as of July 1, 1997." The assessment is GACE Basic Skills Assessment, developed and administered by National Evaluations Systems, Inc. (NES). Contact the Department of Teacher Education for further information. (Note: Testing requirements will be updated in accordance with GPSC regulations.)
- Signing of an affidavit to show compliance with Professional Standards Commission Standard II.A. (G10): "The education unit/program shall provide information to each candidate about professional ethical standards, background check, and clearance for certification and employment; and ensure that candidates admitted to the program are persons whose social and ethical behavior is acceptable as an educator." The affidavit form is provided upon formal notification of admission to the program through PEPC.
- A background check. (Conducted by Clayton State Public Safety. A $10.00 processing fee is required and will be at the expense of the applicant.)
- Provide evidence of liability insurance and successful background check clearance prior to participation in specific field-based or clinical experiences when required.
Application Procedures (Music Education Certification Program)
- Applicants who meet the criteria explained above should submit a teacher education certification application form and supporting documentation to the Clayton State University Director of Music Education or the Department of Teacher Education. (Application forms are available from the Division of Music Handbook and the Department of Teacher Education).
- The application deadline for Teacher Education programs is posted in the Department of Teacher Education. (The deadline period is called an admission cycle.)
- All complete and eligible applications received by the published deadlines will be considered for the available positions in the programs for the appropriate semester. (Complete applications must include all required documentation. The date that an application is completed is not a factor in the admission decision process for applications received by the deadline.)
- Applicants not admitted during a given admission cycle and individuals who fall below minimum standards after notification of admission may, upon written request to the Department of Teacher Education, have their applications reconsidered during the next admission cycle. Reconsideration is not automatic; written request is required, and additional information may be submitted.
- Applicants may submit their applications for Fall Semester admission between January 1 and the last Friday in March. Any applications received after the March deadline will be placed on a waiting list in the event a slot in the programs becomes available. Applicants may submit their applications for Spring Semester admission between August 1 and the last Friday in October. Any applications received after the October deadline will be placed on a waiting list in the event a slot in the programs becomes available.
- Applicants selected for admission during each admission cycle will be notified in writing. The admission notice will indicate a date by which the individual must formally accept or decline admission; those who fail to respond within the allotted time will have their admission offers revoked, and their spaces will be allotted to other eligible applicants.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements
General University policies on good standing and academic and disciplinary probation and suspension apply to the teacher education programs (except that for teacher education the standard is a 2.50 cumulative Program GPA on the last attempt of courses taken to meet program requirements, and a cumulative Institutional GPA of 2.50 rather than a 2.00 Institutional GPA). Due to the sensitive nature of working with children and youth in authentic school settings, the following additional standard applies: Any faculty member or administrator of the University and/or a cooperating school system may immediately remove a candidate from an on-site setting if, in that person's professional judgment, the candidate has acted in an inappropriate manner involving children or youth. The Coordinator for Educational Field Experiences and/or the Department Head for Teacher Education/Director of Professional Education Programs will investigate the case in an expeditious manner. The department head will issue a written ruling to the candidate with copies to the Dean of Arts and Sciences and the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. Depending on the circumstances, the ruling may include exoneration, admonishment, probation, suspension of reasonable duration, or dismissal. Appeals may be initiated according to established University Academic Appeal policy.
Student Teaching/Senior Internship
In order to be placed in the student teaching/senior year internship within the six partnership school districts, candidates must have in place the following1:
- A cumulative Program GPA of 2.50 or higher.
- A cumulative Institutional GPA of 2.50 or higher.
- Completion of each course in the program sequence with a grade of C or higher (or K).
- Endorsement of the junior year by the Professional Education Programs Committee (PEPC).
- Passage of an updated background check.
- Renewal of liability insurance coverage.
Course overloads will not be permitted during enrollment in the full-time student teaching/senior internship. The student may only be enrolled in student teaching/senior internship.
1 The student teaching/senior year internship begins during the first week or pre-planning week at the end of July or beginning of August (fall semester), or when students return to school following winter break (spring semester), depending on the school year calendars.
Teacher Certification
In Georgia, to receive certification to teach, individuals must document having met criteria endorsed by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, including successful completion of the GACE Content Assessment(s). Fingerprinting and FBI background checks are required for professional employment in Georgia public schools. An applicant for certification in Georgia must comply with the ethical standards of the profession. Additional information and Georgia certification applications are available online at www.gapsc.com. The Department of Teacher Education will assist students in submitting proper documentation to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.