Majoring & Minoring
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
This degree is intended for students who wish to pursue a career as a music educator in elementary, middle or high schools. Both instrumental and vocal tracts are offered.
Courses include instrumental, choral and advanced conducting, instrumental methods, and choral techniques.
During their senior year, each student working toward certification as a public school music teacher will have the opportunity to practice teach at schools in the Austin area.
Music education students have the opportunity to study with faculty who have taught music in public schools, and who are active in conducting high school band, choir and orchestra festivals.
Bachelor of Music – Major in Music Education
The BM degree with a major in Music Education is designed for students with a strong interest in teaching music. This degree plan provides musical skills and competencies necessary to teach music. However, in order to acquire certification to teach in Texas public schools, music education students must apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program through the Education Department, and complete the required 37 credits of professional education courses in the Education Department.
Degrees are awarded by Southwestern University, while certification is awarded by the State of Texas. Therefore, a student may seek certification in one of two ways: 1) fulfill the major in Music Education with Certification, or 2) fulfill the Music Education degree without Certification, then enroll in a state-approved alternative teacher certification program. In any case those seeking certification by the State of Texas music must receive a satisfactory score on the TExES examination.
In summary, there are four tracks for majoring in Music Education: