Offered in: Chicago

The goal of the Music Education program is to guide students who are drawn to the vocation of teaching to develop into outstanding educators, role models, and advocates for the arts in our society. The structure of the degree is based upon the licensure requirements of the Illinois State Board of Education and on CCPA's high standards of performance. Graduates are entitled to Roosevelt University's recommendation for K-12 licensure in music.

The program's objectives are to:

• prepare graduates to embrace diversity and flexibility in their pedagogical approaches to musical styles, genres, and ensembles; various ages and skill levels of students; urban, suburban, and rural communities; incorporating students' cultural and community assets into instruction; and students with varied socioeconomic backgrounds;
• develop teacher identity and help students to layer on or merge this identity with their already established and reinforced musician/performer identity;
• develop strong communication skills that help students intertwine their personal skills and qualities with their musical content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge;
• develop strong organizational abilities;
• develop strong leadership skills;
• prepare students to pass the edTPA, obtain licensure, and obtain employment in the state of their choice in public or private schools.

Program requirements and procedures are published in the Music Conservatory Handbook (Academic Supplement). Performance and musicianship training are developed throughout the curriculum because deep content knowledge is the foundation of all excellent teaching. Other dimensions and competencies of effective teaching are developed and assessed regularly through music education coursework. In the senior recital, music education students demonstrate the integration of knowledge and skills gained from applied study, ensemble experiences, supportive studies in music, and music education methods courses. Recital requirements include a performance of solo repertory and the preparation and conducting of an ensemble selection, as evidence of musical leadership skills.

Admission Requirements

Please consult the CCPA Admission and Audition Information web page for audition requirements for prospective Music Education majors. An interview with the Music Education faculty is an additional requirement for admission to this degree program. 

Residency Requirement

A student must earn at least 60 credit hours at Roosevelt University.

Grade Minimum Requirements

Satisfactory completion of the music core is a requirement for licensure. The music core consists of the following required music courses: Applied Music 201-204 and 301-303 or 271-274 and 371-373 or 211-214 and 311-314 (and related jury and recital courses); 6 credit hours of ensemble; two courses from among MUHL 210 THE VERNACULAR MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES, MUHL 252 HISTORY OF WESTERN MUSIC II, MUHL 253 HISTORY OF WESTERN MUSIC III, and MUHL 351 SPECIAL TOPICS IN MUSIC LITERATURE; MUSC 222 MUSICIANSHIP III/MUSC 222C PIANO MUSICIANSHIP III, or JAZZ 215 JAZZ THEORY II/JAZZ 244 JAZZ PIANO TECH II; and PERF 240 ELEMENTS OF CONDUCTING. Any grade lower than C in any music core, music education, education, or professional education course is considered a failing grade and will not fulfill degree requirements.

The minimum passing grade in Applied Music 201, 202, and 203 or 271, 272, and 273 (and related jury courses) is C-. The minimum passing grade in Applied Music 204 or 274 and PERF 201 ACADEMIC MAJOR FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE JURYis B-. The grade of B- is the minimum passing grade in upper division applied study (courses 301 through 303 or 371 through 373 and related jury and recital courses).

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 to remain in good standing and graduate.

All course requirements must be completed before the semester of student teaching.

Course Requirements

Students choose an emphasis in either choral music education (128 credit hours) or instrumental music education (132 credit hours). The general studies, music education/professional education, and basic musicianship/performance components of the program are the same for both emphases. Specific requirements for each emphasis are listed below.

Choral Emphasis 

Instrumental Emphasis 

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.