Offered in: Chicago

The Music Education program prepares students who are called to the vocation of teaching to become outstanding educators, role models, and advocates for music in diverse communities. The curriculum is structured in accordance with Illinois State Board of Education licensure requirements and CCPA’s standards of musical excellence. 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 across musical styles, genres, ensemble types, age groups, skill levels, and community contexts, incorporating students’ cultural and community assets into instruction.

• Develop a strong teacher identity that integrates and reinforces students’ identities as musicians and performers.

• Cultivate effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills that connect personal strengths with musical content knowledge and sound pedagogical practice.

• Develop organizational abilities necessary for effective classroom and ensemble management.

• Foster leadership skills essential for guiding ensembles and learning communities.

• Prepare students to pass required Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), obtain licensure, and secure employment in public or private schools.

Performance and musicianship training are cultivated throughout the curriculum, recognizing that deep content knowledge forms the foundation of excellent teaching. Additional dimensions of effective pedagogy are developed and assessed regularly through music education coursework.

In the senior recital, music education students demonstrate the integration of applied study, ensemble experiences, supportive musicianship coursework, and music education methods. Recital requirements include the performance of solo repertory and the preparation and conducting of an ensemble work as evidence of musical and pedagogical leadership.

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.

Grade Requirements:

Satisfactory completion of the music core is a requirement for licensure. Any grade lower than C in any music, 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 (and related jury courses) is C-. The minimum passing grade in Applied Music 301 (and related jury and recital courses) is B-.

GPA Requirements:

Students must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 in all major subject area coursework, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 across all core, elective, and general education courses.

Residency Requirements:

The final 30 credit hours toward a student's degree must be completed at Roosevelt University, or a minimum of 60 hours must be taken in residence at Roosevelt University.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS (Classical Guitar)

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Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in any ensembles to which they are assigned by the relevant instructor-of-record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

²

All course requirements (except for ME 310 STUDENT TEACHING INTERNSHIP) must be completed before the semester of student teaching.

Grade Requirements:

Satisfactory completion of the music core is a requirement for licensure. Any grade lower than C in any music, 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 (and related jury courses) is C-. The minimum passing grade in Applied Music 301 (and related jury and recital courses) is B-.

GPA Requirements:

Students must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 in all major subject area coursework, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 across all core, elective, and general education courses.

Residency Requirements:

The final 30 credit hours toward a student's degree must be completed at Roosevelt University, or a minimum of 60 hours must be taken in residence at Roosevelt University.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS (Piano)

¹

Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in any ensembles to which they are assigned by the relevant instructor-of-record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

²

All course requirements (except for ME 310 STUDENT TEACHING INTERNSHIP) must be completed before the semester of student teaching.

Grade Requirements:

Satisfactory completion of the music core is a requirement for licensure. Any grade lower than C in any music, 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 (and related jury courses) is C-. The minimum passing grade in Applied Music 301 (and related jury and recital courses) is B-.

GPA Requirements:

Students must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 in all major subject area coursework, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 across all core, elective, and general education courses.

Residency Requirements:

The final 30 credit hours toward a student's degree must be completed at Roosevelt University, or a minimum of 60 hours must be taken in residence at Roosevelt University.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS (Voice)

¹

Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in any ensembles to which they are assigned by the relevant instructor-of-record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

²

All course requirements (except for ME 310 STUDENT TEACHING INTERNSHIP) must be completed before the semester of student teaching.

Your degree map is a general guide outlining the recommended courses to complete each term along the academic pathway to your degree. It reflects the most current scheduling information provided by your academic program.

Degree maps are reviewed annually and updated as scheduling patterns evolve. Students who remain continuously enrolled retain the degree requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment.

Students should work closely with their Academic Advisor to understand curriculum requirements and course sequencing, as individual academic plans may vary.

¹

This course may be taken in another semester, depending on the desired techniques course and the schedule of course offerings.

Your degree map is a general guide outlining the recommended courses to complete each term along the academic pathway to your degree. It reflects the most current scheduling information provided by your academic program.

Degree maps are reviewed annually and updated as scheduling patterns evolve. Students who remain continuously enrolled retain the degree requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment.

Students should work closely with their Academic Advisor to understand curriculum requirements and course sequencing, as individual academic plans may vary.

¹

This course may be taken in another semester, depending on the desired techniques course and the schedule of course offerings.

Your degree map is a general guide outlining the recommended courses to complete each term along the academic pathway to your degree. It reflects the most current scheduling information provided by your academic program.

Degree maps are reviewed annually and updated as scheduling patterns evolve. Students who remain continuously enrolled retain the degree requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment.

Students should work closely with their Academic Advisor to understand curriculum requirements and course sequencing, as individual academic plans may vary.

¹

This course may be taken in another semester, depending on the desired techniques course and the schedule of course offerings.