Bachelor of Music

Program Description

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree prepares students to become professional music educators. It provides skilled musicians the opportunity to develop expertise as a classroom teacher and ensemble director in K-12 music programs. Much like the Music Performance degree program, students also study applied music on a principal instrument or voice with our artist-faculty and perform in our large ensembles. Music Education students are held to the same high standards of performance as those in other music degree tracks.

The BME degree has two concentrations: Instrumental, and Choral. Coursework is completed at both the CSU College of Education and the Schwob School of Music. Field experiences provide "real-world" experiences for students to transfer directly to the music teaching endeavors after graduation. Our music education faculty specialists, along with applied and ensemble faculty, mentor students through this demanding program, a relationship which continues after graduation.

Educator Preparation at Columbus State University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The Schwob School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree leads to licensure in teaching for K-12 instruction in public and private schools.

Admission Requirements

Prospective music majors must demonstrate basic aptitude in a performance medium through a placement audition and interview. Transfer students should call the Schwob School for additional audition requirements.

Voice
Two contrasting art songs from memory sung in the original language or in English translation with piano accompaniment. Opera arias after the Classical period and musical theatre selections are not acceptable. You may bring a pianist, or an accompanist will be provided for you at a fee. Be prepared to sight read single line melodies (major and minor tonalities), chant/count rhythmic patterns, and sing aural memory passages. Transfer students are required to include a repertoire list of music studied at the college level.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in applied music through the preparation for and performance of a senior vocal recital that exhibits effective artistic expression. 

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in the application of knowledge of music theory through analysis and composition.

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in fundamental musical knowledge and skills through analytical listening, sight-singing conducting, and functional piano skills.

Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the history of western music and the ability to place music in historical/cultural/stylistic contexts through the purposeful use of evidence, insightful reasoning, and supporting details. 

Students will be able to demonstrate an informed connection between teaching skills of conducting, cognitive and social development, music theory and musicianship, and the means to impart knowledge to K-12 students, via teaching demonstration, and use of informed and supported research.

Additional Program Requirements

In order to be accepted as a music major, each student must demonstrate aptitude in his/her major instrument or voice through a placement audition and interview with a member of the music faculty. All newly admitted music majors also must take placement examinations in music theory and piano. Music majors who take time off before completing degree requirements will be required to re-audition if they have missed a full academic year (fall and spring, or spring and fall).

Transfer students: Please note that placement in music courses is based on audition and testing results and not necessarily on previous college credit.

General Requirements

All music majors are required to attend all master classes in their major instrument and must perform at least once each semester in a recital or master class. All students enrolled in applied music must be concurrently enrolled in the major music ensemble activity that corresponds to their major instrument (Strings-Orchestra, Winds/Percussion – Wind Ensemble, Voice-Choral Ensemble).

Additional Requirements

Students must consult the Schwob School of Music Student Handbook for additional information on requirements for graduation.  The handbook may be found at https://music.columbusstate.edu/students/student_handbook_2015-16.pdf

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses:

Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: Students must complete Area B and Area D with a combined total of 15 credit hours within the following ranges: Area B, 4-5 hours; Area D1, 7-8 hours; Area D2, 3-4 hours. Any additional hours may be applied to Area F or beyond, depending on the program of study. Students should consult their advisors.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses:

*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
D1: Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

D2: Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

Note: Students must complete Area B and Area D with a combined total of 15 credit hours within the following ranges: Area B, 4-5 hours; Area D1, 7-8 hours; Area D2, 3-4 hours. Any additional hours may be applied to Area F or beyond, depending on the program of study. Students should consult their advisors.

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 6
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3
PHED 1205
Select any one MUSC 1206 Body Mapping

Area F Courses Rel. to Major Required Hours: 24
A minimum grade of "C" is required of the following courses:

Take the following course four times:
MUSP 1090 Vocal Ensemble Activities

* Note: Students in the Choral-Keyboard Track substitute two semesters of MUSA 1216 (Secondary Applied Voice) for MUSA 2313 and MUSA 2314.

Area G Prog. Requirements Required Hours:46
Choral-Vocal (CH-V); Choral-Guitar (CH-G); Choral-Keyboard (CH-K)
A minimum grade of "C" is required in each of the following courses:

Area H Prof. Educ. Requirements Required Hours: 23
A minimum grade of "C" is required in each of the following courses:
(Courses in this area require Admission to Teacher Education Program.)

Total Hours Required: 132