Music Education

Career potential

A degree with a major in general, choral and instrumental music will prepare you for a career in the music teaching profession and related areas. Options include employment as an elementary music specialist or as a middle school or high school band, choir or orchestra director. Other settings include church education programs, early childhood education programs or private studio teaching.

Many music educators pursue a master's degree to become more specialized in their area of interest.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies, and interview preparation.

Majoring in general choral and instrumental music

UNT's College of Music is among the largest and best music schools in the nation. It offers a comprehensive curriculum and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, Va. 20190-5248; telephone 703-437-0700). This accreditation means the college has passed strict academic standards for excellence in education.

General, choral and instrumental music majors take courses in music teaching methods, educational strategies, instrumental or vocal techniques and conducting. Additional courses include music theory, music history, piano, private lessons and performing ensembles. Toward the end of the degree program, you must pass proficiencies in music education, piano and your performance concentration (instrumental or vocal).

Student teaching is the culmination of the general, choral and instrumental music degree. Before applying for student teaching, you will have to pass all proficiencies and meet all grade point average requirements. Prerequisites for student teaching from UNT's College of Education also must be met. General, choral and instrumental music majors complete a 16-week student teaching experience at the elementary and secondary levels in area schools. They are assigned a cooperating teacher and a university supervisor who help guide and develop their teaching skills. During student teaching, students must pass the pre-TExES and the TExES tests, which complete certification to teach in Texas.

Scholarships are available to music education students. They are awarded based on need and talent. Applications are distributed early in the spring semester.

Getting hands-on experience

The most notable components of the division of music education are the innovative and cutting-edge programs offered to help you develop as a professional educator. For example, experience is provided in actual school settings. At the beginning of the degree program, school observations are required to help you clarify your career goals. Later in the degree program, music education methods classes meet in a local school. In this setting, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on teaching experience in a classroom.

The division of music education also sponsors several outreach programs that will offer you additional teaching experiences. These programs include the UNT Early Childhood Music Program, the New Horizons Senior Band, the Owsley Music Project for underprivileged children and the UNT String Project. Very few music education programs offer these unique and varied opportunities for students.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic advisor/ counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Charting your path through academic advising

As a student in the division of music education, you will be assigned an advisor to help you determine your class schedule each semester. The College of Music office is in the Music Building, Room 247.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.