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BS in Music Education

The Bachelor of Science in Music Education (BS) is a professional degree designed for students who are passionate about teaching music in K–12 schools. This fully accredited program offers a rigorous and sequential curriculum that integrates academic instruction, critical thinking, and extensive hands-on teaching experiences. Students develop comprehensive skills in music theory, composition, general musicianship, music history, arranging and orchestrating, improvisation, conducting, and performance.

This intensive four-year degree program leads to teacher licensure and prepares graduates to become knowledgeable, reflective, and effective music educators. The program meets Ohio Department of Education requirements, preparing students to take the Ohio Assessments for Educators and apply for teacher licensure.

We offer competitive scholarships—both full and partial tuition—for incoming undergraduate music education students!

Program Highlights

  • Practical Classroom Experience and Early Fieldwork
    Gain hands-on teaching experience beginning in introductory courses, with fieldwork opportunities continuing throughout the program. Experiential learning is grounded in current research and best practices.
  • Conservatory-Level Instruction and Liberal Arts Framework
    Through the Joint Music Program with the internationally renowned Cleveland Institute of Music, students receive conservatory-level training in performance, theory, and eurhythmics. This is complemented by a broad liberal arts education in the humanities, literature, history, social sciences, and foreign languages through the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Outstanding Ensemble and Performance Opportunities
    Develop your musicianship by participating in a wide range of ensembles, including orchestra, band, choir, and jazz.
  • Personalized Faculty Mentorship
    Work closely with full-time faculty who specialize in choral, general, and instrumental music education and are dedicated to supporting your growth as a future educator.
  • Specialized Facilities and Resources
    Take advantage of advanced technology and a dedicated music education resource center designed to support teaching and learning.
  • Professional Licensure and Portability
    Graduates are eligible for multi-age licensure in Ohio, with the option to transfer licensure to more than 40 other states.
  • Active Professional Organizations
    Engage in leadership and professional development through student chapters of NAfME Collegiate and the Ohio Collegiate Music Education Association (OCMEA).
  • Nationally Recognized Accreditation
    Earn a degree from a program approved by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Admission

Ready to shape the future of music education? Start your application today!

To apply for the BS in Music Education, applicants must:

  • Submit the CWRU Application and Music Arts Supplement, which includes a digital questionnaire and video audition on the primary instrument or voice.
  • Complete a live interview and audition.

For detailed application and audition information, please refer to the Undergraduate Applications page.

Start Your Application

Program Requirements

Total Credit Hours: 125

  • 109 credit hours in music, music education, psychology, and professional education
  • 16 credit hours in the Unified General Education Requirements

Students must meet all university requirements for a bachelor’s degree and complete the Unified General Education Requirements. 

Additional requirements include: 

  • Piano proficiency (Basic Skills and Pedagogy requirement) 
  • Passing the Ohio Assessment for Educators exam
  • Meeting state requirements, passing a criminal background check 
  • Eligibility to apply for a Multi-Age License in Ohio (transferable to over 40 reciprocating states)

Find detailed program requirements, course distribution, decision points, and outcomes in the General Bulletin. 

View the General Bulletin

Teacher Education

Licensure programs at Case Western Reserve University are coordinated through Teacher Education (College of Arts and Sciences), the academic home for teacher preparation.

Students pursuing teacher licensure in music education must follow the policies and requirements outlined in the Teacher Education Handbook: Teacher Licensure, which provides comprehensive guidance and essential structure throughout the licensure process.

The handbook includes information on:

  • Admission and Retention Requirements
    Details on GPA minimums, interviews, ePortfolio benchmarks, field experiences, and progression through Decision Points.
  • Program Outcomes
    Aligned with Ohio’s Standards for the Teaching Profession (OSTP) and national InTASC standards, these outcomes define the competencies and expectations for teacher candidates.
  • Professional Conduct Expectations
    Includes requirements for maintaining good moral character and ethical conduct in alignment with state licensure policies.
  • Student Teaching
    Step-by-step guidance on applying for and for student teaching, including placement details, timelines, evaluation criteria, and required documentation.
  • Background Checks and Licensure Exams
    Procedures for completing BCI and FBA background checks and registering for Ohio’s required licensure assessments (Ohio Assessments for Educators).
  • ePortfolio and edTPA
    Information on digital portfolio development and submission of the edTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment), both essential components of the licensure recommendation process.

Note: Students are expected to regularly consult the Teacher Education Handbook and maintain close communication with their advisors and the licensure coordinator to ensure timely progress toward program completion and licensure.

View the Teacher Education Handbook

Advising and Student Resources

Undergraduate students in the BS in Music Education program are supported by a variety of tools and resources: