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Music Education (BA)

When you have music in your heart, spend your life sharing that joy. The music education degree at Bluefield University offers a hands-on study of music in several disciplines. Our program balances music courses and applied study with education courses to prepare for success in the classroom. You will work with talented faculty members, who will offer personalized feedback about your performance skills. With a concentration on instrumental music, you’ll be prepared to lead instrumental music programs at elementary or secondary schools. If you love to sing and have a passion to serve others, our music education degree with a concentration in vocal and choral studies prepares you for a satisfying career as a vocal or choral music teacher. Your education classes focus on the science and art of teaching. As an aspiring music education teacher, you’ll observe teachers in their classrooms throughout your education coursework prior to your semester of student teaching.

Music Teachers Begin at BU

“The Music Department not only improved my performance skills but added a depth of knowledge and understanding to how music is created. I performed in a wide variety of genres and the works of great composers. With the skills I obtained at BU, the doors for my musical career are wide open,” says Nicholas Hinkle, class of 2016, and Bluefield High School band director.

Undergraduate music education majors concentrating on vocal performance, enjoy the benefits of individualized voice lessons and small classes, which focus on you as an individual. Our program can be completed in four years, including a semester of student teaching. You will perform with one or more of our chamber groups to provide learning opportunities to enhance your skills. And our vocal and choral students recently toured Europe.

Torn between being a band director or performer? You can do both. As a music education major, you’ll have the opportunity to join any of our many on-campus groups or bands to further hone your abilities. Feel free to complete the information request form to discuss what it means to teach music in Virginia classrooms today.

If you’re ready to pursue your dream of teaching music, complete our information request form and schedule a campus visit.


Tuition: On-Campus Tuition & Fees
Next Start: August 2024 (On-Campus)
Time to Complete: 4 years

Available Grants & Scholarships

For a full breakdown of each course, reference the graduate catalog located in Academic Resources.

Bachelor's Degree (BA) (Instrumental)
General Education Requirements

  • Introduction to the Writing Process
  • Fundamentals of Speech
  • Biblical Perspectives
  • Developing the Christian Mind
  • Math/Science* (3 Credits)
  • Fine Arts/Humanities* (6 Credits)
  • Social/Behavioral Science* (3 Credits)
  • Degree Requirements (BA or BS/BSN)* (6 Credits)
  • Personal Wellness
  • ESS Activity Course* (1 Credit)
  • Career Pathways I & II (2 Credits)
  • Career Pathways III & IV (2 Credits)
  • Career Pathways V & VI (2 Credits)

* Course or requirement includes multiple options. Online offerings may differ.

Core Requirements

  • Brass Methods & Pedagogy
  • Percussion Methods & Pedagogy
  • String Methods & Pedagogy
  • Woodwind Methods & Pedagogy
  • Music Theory I, II, III, & IV (Alternating with Ear Training)
  • Ear Training I, II, III, & IV (Alternating with Theory)
  • Music History I & II
  • Instrumental Conducting
  • Music Methods & Curriculum
  • Survey of Modern Band Methods
  • Piano Proficiency
  • Senior Recital
  • Applied Study (7 Credits)
  • Ensemble (6 Credits)
  • Performing Arts Lab (Each Semester)
Professional Requirements

  • Human Growth & Development for Educators
  • Foundations of Education
  • Intro to Instructional Media & Technology
  • Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction in Secondary Schools
  • Intro to the Exceptional Child
  • Teaching Reading in the Content Area
Field Requirements

  • Dynamic Learning Environments
    • (Must be taken prior to Student Teaching)
  • Student Teaching
    • (Taken in the final semester)
Required Testing (2 Tests)

  • Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment
  • PRAXIS II Music: Content Knowledge
Total Credits: 120 + Student Teaching
Bachelor's Degree (BA) (Vocal)
General Education Requirements

  • Introduction to the Writing Process
  • Fundamentals of Speech
  • Biblical Perspectives
  • Developing the Christian Mind
  • Math/Science* (3 Credits)
  • Fine Arts/Humanities* (6 Credits)
  • Social/Behavioral Science* (3 Credits)
  • Degree Requirements (BA or BS/BSN)* (6 Credits)
  • Personal Wellness
  • ESS Activity Course* (1 Credit)
  • Career Pathways I & II (2 Credits)
  • Career Pathways III & IV (2 Credits)
  • Career Pathways V & VI (2 Credits)

* Course or requirement includes multiple options. Online offerings may differ.

Core Requirements

  • Music Theory I, II, III, & IV (Alternating with Ear Training)
  • Ear Training I, II, III, & IV (Alternating with Theory)
  • Music History I & II
  • Choral Conducting
  • Music Methods & Curriculum
  • Voice Class
  • Piano Proficiency
  • Senior Recital
  • Applied Study (6 Credits)
  • Ensemble (5 Credits)
  • Performing Arts Lab (Each Semester)
Professional Requirements

  • Human Growth & Development for Educators
  • Foundations of Education
  • Intro to Instructional Media & Technology
  • Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction in Secondary Schools
  • Intro to the Exceptional Child
  • Teaching Reading in the Content Area
Field Requirements

  • Dynamic Learning Environments
    • (Must be taken prior to Student Teaching)
  • Student Teaching
    • (Taken in the final semester)
Required Testing (2 Tests)

  • Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment
  • PRAXIS II Music: Content Knowledge
Total Credits: 120 + Student Teaching

For a full breakdown of each course, reference the graduate catalog located in Academic Resources.

PreK-12 Music Teacher
Choir Director
Band Director
Ethnomusicologist
Private Music/Instrument Teacher
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