Major in Music Education - Bachelor of Science Degree

Students majoring in Music Education are required to complete the courses listed under the requirements tab, the Music Education Professional Core Courses and the Core Curriculum. Curricular requirements may be revised due to changes in state licensure requirements, and therefore, students should work with their adviser to ensure they ae following the correct program plan. Students choose either the Instrumental Music Education Concentration or the Vocal-General Music Education Concentration. Students will also complete a criminal background check as required by the school system in which the internship is located prior to entry into the capstone internship.

Successful completion of the program enables students to apply to the Maryland State Department of Education for licensure to teach Music at the PreK-12 level in Maryland. Licensure requires successful completion of courses and requirements in the Music Education degree program as well as Maryland State Department of Education licensure requirements. 

Requirements for Admission to the Music Education Program

Admission Requirements for Teacher Education

The Teacher Education Executive Board, representing all initial teacher education programs at Towson University, utilizes the following minimum requirements as conditions for admission into teacher education programs, maintaining candidate status, and entry into the capstone internship. Programs may include additional requirements for admission into the program and/or the capstone internship.

Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) admit students either as freshmen or as undergraduate transfer students from accredited, post-secondary institutions. During the freshman and sophomore years, students are generally engaged in pre-professional courses or courses that fulfill Core Curriculum requirements, as well as all identified prerequisites (e.g., specific and sequential courses in Core Curriculum) for admission to EPP initial licensure programs. 

All EPP undergraduate programs are screened majors. As an integral part of the teaching/learning experience, students work with advisers in a strategic planning process across all years at TU. Accordingly, to support student success, all EPP students are required to confer with their assigned advisers prior to registration each term.

I. PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO ALL TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS

  1. Complete a self-disclosure criminal background form to be submitted to the major department with the application. 
  2. Submit an application for formal admission to the program. Students seeking admission to teacher education programs must contact their department chairperson or program coordinator by 45 units for program-specific procedures and requirements for admission to professional education programs.

  3. Meet the Basic Skills Assessment Requirement as defined by the Maryland State Department of Education to be eligible for admission. A student who is admitted to Towson University and in Good Standing but does not meet the Basic Skills Assessment requirement at the time of application to the program can be granted "Conditional Admission" and given one semester as a conditional candidate to satisfy the Basic Skills Assessment requirement. If the conditional candidate does not meet the requirement by the end of the conditional semester, there are two options: 1) the program may recommend the conditional candidate for exemption and if granted, the conditional candidate would be fully admitted to the program or 2) the conditional candidate will not be fully admitted to the program. 

​II. REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTAINING CANDIDATE STATUS

  1. Meet the grade, course, and/or assessment requirement(s) identified by the candidate's specific program.​
    1. At the department’s discretion, a candidate who does not meet the program requirement(s) may continue for one additional semester under probationary status but must satisfy the requirement by the end of the probationary period. If the requirement is not met at the end of the probationary period, the candidate will be dismissed from the program. 
  1. Exhibit behavior that is consistent with the University’s Code of Student Conduct, the Educator Preparation Program’s Professional Behavior Policy, and established professional practice in educational and clinical settings. (see EPP Behavior Policy) 

III. PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY INTO CAPSTONE INTERNSHIP FOR ALL PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

  1. Complete a criminal background check as required by the school system in which the internship is located.
  2. Complete all required coursework.

The Standards were revised and approved in February 1996, May 1998, February 2000, May 2007, May 2008, April 2009, December 2011, November 2012, February 2014, October 2014, February 2015, November 2015, May 2019, February 2020, March 2021, and November 2024.

IV. ADDITIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS REQUIREMENTS

After admission to the Department of Music, there are additional steps students must complete to become a Music Education major. Students in their sophomore year must apply for formal admission into the Music Education Program when they have met the above requirements as well as the following:

  1. Completion of at least 45 earned college units;
  2. Passing of MUED 194

B.S. Degree in Music Education with concentrations in:

  1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of content, methodologies, philosophies, materials, technologies, and curriculum development in music education.
  2. Students can effectively plan classroom-based instruction.
  3. Students will apply analytical and pedagogical knowledge to curriculum development, lesson planning and daily classroom and performance activities.
  4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of evaluative techniques and the ability to apply them in assessing both the musical progress of students and the objectives and procedures of the curriculum.
  5. Students will demonstrate functional performance ability in keyboard proficiency.