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Music Education B.M.

A career in music education demands that you excel as both a musician and teacher. This dual bachelor of music (B.M.) degree program, in partnership with Syracuse University’s School of Education, provides you with opportunities to nurture and develop optimal teaching competencies; artistry and musicianship; and philosophical, theoretical and historical perspectives of music and music education.

In addition, you develop a knowledge and understanding of inclusive and diverse environments that may include students of all levels of ability. Graduates of this program possess a heightened awareness of individual needs and social justice such that they enter the field as music educators of excellence who are capable of creating learning environments that ensure successful outcomes for all students.

While you engage in your comprehensive preparation as a music teacher, you also elect one of five specialty emphases: brass, choral/general, woodwind, percussion or strings. This combination of knowledge and skills provides you with a level of flexibility in teaching that increases your marketability as a teaching professional. All options lead to the B.M. degree in music education while meeting the new requirements for initial teaching certification in New York State for levels birth to grade 12.

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Students who graduate from our undergraduate program in music education have the option to continue their education in our fifth-year master’s program in music education. In this one-year graduate program, students may pursue either the master of music (M.M.) degree in music education or the master of science (M.S.) degree in music education. Both degrees fulfill the education requirement for professional teaching certification in New York State.

While studying in the music education program, students may choose a course of primary applied study on their instrument or voice in either the classical or jazz/commercial music tradition.

Teacher Preparation Performance Data

New York State Teacher Certification Examinations

For the most recent annual institution report, visit Syracuse University’s School of Education.

Admission and audition requirements
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Program Highlights

Curriculum

The music education curriculum requires 129-132 total credits and includes music and music education requirements, professional education/pedagogical courses and general liberal arts and sciences courses. As one of our students, you will be assigned a professional academic advisor who will guide you through your academic career and help you navigate class schedules, course selection and more.

View degree requirements, courses and student learning outcomes
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Performance Honors

The performance honors program is intended for Setnor School of Music students in the B.S. music and B.M. composition, music education, music industry and sound recording technology degree programs who wish to maintain a level of performance at or near that required of students in one of the performance majors. The program’s purpose is to give tangible curricular and moral support to those students who see themselves as performing musicians first and foremost.

Students are eligible to apply for the program at the end of their sophomore year. Students accepted into the program take an hour of applied instrumental or vocal instruction per week and give both a junior and senior recital commensurate with the requirements for degree recitals in the performance majors. Official recognition of program participation and completion appears on student transcripts but does not appear on the diploma.

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Global Study

You can participate in study abroad or study away programs through Setnor or Syracuse Abroad. Music education majors often choose to study at the Syracuse University center in London, England, in the spring semester of their second year.

In Setnor's Gilbert Week immersion program, students learn about career opportunities in music by meeting and learning from arts professionals and visiting some of the world’s leading performing arts institutions and organizations. Gilbert Week is held during Spring Break in a different city each year; past locations include New York City (pictured); Los Angeles; and Austin, Texas.

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Career Exploration

In addition to the opportunities offered by the Setnor School, all music education majors have access to career advisors and services through the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ Office of Academic and Career Advising. The office connects VPA students with networking opportunities, mentors and more.

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Program Faculty