The Bachelor of Science in Music Education (BS) is a professional degree designed for students passionate about teaching music. This fully accredited program combines a rigorous curriculum with extensive hands-on teaching experiences to prepare you for a career as a skilled music educator.
We offer both full and partial scholarships for incoming undergraduate music education students.
Program Highlights
- Practical Classroom Experience and Early Fieldwork: Gain valuable hands-on teaching experience in real classrooms from the start of the program, building essential skills early.
- Liberal Arts Framework: Benefit from a well-rounded education by exploring liberal arts subjects (humanities, literature, history, social sciences, foreign languages) alongside conservatory-level instruction through our Joint Music Program with the Cleveland Institute of Music.
- Ensemble and Performance Opportunities: Participate in a variety of ensembles and performances to develop your musicianship.
- Multi-Age Licensure in Ohio and Beyond: Upon graduation, you will be eligible for multi-age licensure in Ohio, with the option to transfer licensure to over 40 other states.
Admission
Ready to shape the future of music education? Start your application today!
To apply for the BS in Music Education, submit the CWRU Application along with the Music Arts Supplement, which includes a digital questionnaire and a video audition on your primary instrument or voice. A live interview and performance audition component are also required.
For more details on the admission and audition process, please visit the Undergraduate Applications section.
Program Requirements
The BS in Music Education requires 127 credit units—108 credits in music, music education, psychology, and professional education, and 19 units in College of Arts and Sciences requirements. The program is designed to meet the Ohio Department of Education's requirements, preparing you for state-mandated teacher exams (Ohio Assessments for Educators) and teacher licensure. Graduates are eligible for the Multi-Age License in Music in Ohio and over 40 reciprocating states.
Find detailed program requirements, course distribution, and a sample plan of study in the General Bulletin.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education is administered through the College of Arts and Sciences, which houses the department and programs preparing students for teaching careers. Music education majors with a GPA of 3.75 or above and high scores on their Teacher Work Sample (TWS) may earn Department Honors by a vote of the music education faculty.
Music Handbook and Advising
Undergraduate music majors should review the Undergraduate Music Handbook and use the Advising Forms to track their academic progress across course requirements. These tools, along with other resources, are available on the Current Undergraduate Music Majors page.