2022-2023

Music Secondary Education, Bachelor of Music Education

Kitt School of Music

College of Arts and Letters

This degree prepares you for a secondary education certificate, with a K-12 endorsement in music.

This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)


This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Choral - Emphasis
  • Instrumental - Emphasis

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 99 units of major requirements including 69 units of core requirements and 30-36 units of emphasis requirements, depending on your choice of emphasis

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • For this major the liberal studies prefixes are MUS and MUP

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 125 units

Candidates in this program are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, professional knowledge, and professional dispositions to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements.

Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills, and professional dispositions are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the following course(s):

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 125 - 131
Major GPA 3.0
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching Required
University Honors Program Optional
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan
Licensure

This program may lead to licensure.
Emphasis Required

An emphasis is required for this major.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Bachelor of Music Education program at Northern Arizona University is to prepare the next generation of music educators with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for success in the teaching profession.  Students develop a strong background in music and musicianship through the development of technical and musical skills and emotional dispositions including aspects of performance, the ability to play a variety of musical instruments, critical analysis of music, and an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of Western and non-Western Music. Upon that foundation, students develop proficiency in aspects of teaching,  such as planning instruction, applying different instructional strategies, and evaluating learner progress and practice these skills through their work with elementary and secondary school students. Northern Arizona University students who complete this program become teacher candidates in Music Education which prepares them for a wide range of further educational and vocational activities that include music as a component.  Students are prepared for further study at the graduate and/or professional level.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students receiving an undergraduate degree in music will demonstrate:  

  • Continuing Musical Growth and Independence in the following ways:
    • Applying performance skills on his/her principal instrument or voice
    • Demonstrate technical aptitude on his/her principal instrument or voice
    • Perform individually and in ensembles of different types
    • Investigating specific repertoire
    • Exercise and defend aesthetic judgment by recognizing and interpreting appropriate literature. 
  • Application of Musicianship Skills in performance, teaching and/or critical analysis of music including:
    • Aural Perception
    • Sight-singing
    • Dictation
    • Keyboard Competency appropriate to the students’ degree program and satisfactory progress in Music Theory
    • Composition or Improvisation. 
  • Analysis of and the ability to apply understanding to enhance students’ performance, teaching, and/or critical analysis of Tonal and Post-Tonal Musical Works and Topics through discussion of the following elements of music:
    • Melody
    • Harmony
    • Counterpoint
    • Rhythm and Meter
    • Form
    • Timbre 
  • Knowledge of the Historical and Cultural Contexts of Western and non-Western Music including:
    • Characteristics of musical styles,
    • Compositional techniques
    • Performance practices
    • Societal and cultural influences on the creation, performance, and dissemination of music. 
  • Knowledge and Application of Research Materials, Critical Thinking Skills, and Writing Skills
    • Basic knowledge and appropriate application of primary and secondary research materials pertaining to music,
    • Effectively communicate in writing on topics in the field of music through the purposeful use of evidence, insightful reasoning (critical thinking), and supporting details. 
  • Synthesis of Learning Experiences
    • Synthesize understanding of musical forms, processes, and structures in compositional, performance, analytical, scholarly and pedagogical applications appropriate to the degree program.
    • Employ multiple areas of learning within music and, ideally, disciplines outside music through a capstone project or culminating experience.
    • Students develop a background in music and musicianship that prepares them for a wide range of further educational and vocational activities that include music as a component. 
Teaching (general): Executable knowledge of philosophies and pedagogies specific to teaching general music, choral music, and/or instrumental music K-12 settings, including: (EPS 340, MUS 200, 308, 353, 455, 457, 495C)
  • Planning instruction that supports students in meeting learning objectives by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum design, and cross-disciplinary skills.
  • Applying a variety of instructional strategies in order that learners may develop a deep understanding of content areas for the purpose of applying that understanding in meaningful ways.
  • Utilizing multiple methods of assessment to monitor learner progress, to guide lesson planning, and to engage learners in their own growth. 
Child Development: An ability to synthesize theories of child development into lesson plans and course designs, including: (EPS 340, MUS 200, 308, 353, 455, 457, 495C)
  • Understanding how learners grow and develop.
  • Recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas.
  • Designing and implementing developmentally appropriate music learning experiences. 
Diversity (students and classroom settings): Aptitudes for teaching diverse sets of students in a variety of classroom settings, including: (MUS 200, 308, 353, 455, 457, 495C and BME 437)
  • Assessing aptitudes, experiential backgrounds, and interests of individual learners and groups of learners and tailoring lesson plans accordingly.
  • Working to create environments that encourage positive social interaction and active engagement in learning.
  • Applying theories related to individual and cultural differences to lesson planning, with the goal of creating inclusive learning environments.
  • Arranging and adapting music for divergent classroom environments and student abilities. 
Skills: Proficiencies in conducting and playing the keyboard as well as in using instruments, equipment, and technologies associated with their area of specialization*, including: (MUP 107, 108, 109, 110, 201, 202, 207, 208, 209, 210, 311, 380, 470, 431, 433/435)
  • Demonstrating skills in rehearsal techniques; acquiring communicative and expressive conducting technique; and leading performance-based instruction.
  • Acquiring advanced keyboard skills such as scales, triads, seventh chords; progression and resolution of the diatonic and chromatic chords; harmonization of melodies; transposition of chord progressions to different keys; arpeggios.
  • Students graduating with a Choral emphasis will become proficient in diction and choral conducting, enhanced by private lessons in conjunction with vocal ensemble experiences.
  • Students graduating with an Instrumental emphasis will become proficient in instrumental conducting and techniques in teaching woodwinds, percussion, brass, and strings, enhanced by private lessons in conjunction with instrumental ensemble experiences. 
Policies and Trends:
  • Executable knowledge of organizational procedures, policies, and current trends/changes specific to music teaching and learning in K-12 settings. (MUS 308, 490) 
Commitment to the Field: A commitment to the art of music, including: (MUS 455, 457, 490, 495C)
  • Inspiring students to want to understand and make music.
  • Advocating on behalf of music’s place in K-12 curricula.
  • Remaining current in the field of music education.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • To be eligible for admission to the Professional Education Programs, candidates must meet the following requirements:

    30 units of coursework which includes:

    • MAT 110 or MAT 114 with a grade of "C" or better
    • MUS 200 with a grade of "C" or better
    • The English foundations requirement (ENG 105 or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 3.0.  (If your English GPA is below 3.0, you may take an approved writing course to achieve the 3.0 GPA.)
    • A minimum GPA of 3.0 in all Content Courses which are defined as Major Requirement and MUP and MUS prefixes. (must have taken at least 12 units)
    • A cumulative 2.5 GPA

  • Additional requirements:

    • You must be declared in this major.
    • In order to declare a Music Major, you must apply and be accepted to the School of Music.  Please visit the School of Music website.
    • Submission of a copy of your State-approved Identity-Verified Print (IVP) fingerprint clearance card, obtainable through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (602-223-2279)
Major Requirements

  • This major requires 99-105 units distributed as follows:

    • Core Requirements: 69 units
    • Select one Emphasis: 30-36 units
      • Choral Emphasis: 30 units
      • Instrumental Emphasis: 36 units
         

    Take at least the following 99 units. A minimum NAU cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required and a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for all MUP and MUS coursework. For all major requirements, a passing grade is required and a Grade of "C" or better is required for courses evaluated on an A-F scale.


    Core Requirements (69 units)


    Emphasis Requirements (Select One):
    • Choral Emphasis (30 units)
      • MUP 111 (1 unit each), MUP 211 and MUP 311 (2 units each). Private Lessons: Students enroll in private-lesson instruction for a minimum of 6 terms: 2 terms each of 111, 211, 311. (10 units)
      • MUP 160, MUP 260, MUP 360, MUP 460 (1 unit each). Chorale/Vocal Ensembles: Students enroll in large conducted ensembles for a total of 8 terms. To satisfy this requirement, choose from Shrine of the Ages Choir, Men's Chorale, and Women's Chorale. (8 units)
      • MUS 161, MUS 162, MUS 421 (4 units)
      • MUS 410 (3 units)
      • MUS 490 (1 unit each). To satisfy this requirement, students enroll in Choral Arranging and two additional topics of their choice. (3 units)
      • MUP 435 (2 units)

    • Instrumental Emphasis (36 units)
      • MUP 111, MUP 211, MUP 311 (2 units each). Private Lessons: Students enroll in private-lesson instruction for a minimum of 6 terms: 2 terms each of 111, 211, and 311. (12 units)
      • MUP 170, MUP 270, MUP 370, MUP 470 Instrument Ensembles: Students enroll in large conducted ensembles for a total of 8 terms. To satisfy this requirement, choose from Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Symphonic Band. Guitar majors must take Guitar Ensemble, and Piano majors must take Piano Ensemble. For Wind, Brass and Percussion majors, 2 of the 8 terms required must be Marching Band. (8 units)
      • MUP 107, MUP 109, MUP 110, MUP 131, MUP 207, MUP 231 (required for wind majors only), MUP 209, MUP 210 (Techniques courses)  (8 units)
      • MUP 433 (2 units)
      • MUS 410. To satisfy this requirement, students enroll in the Orchestration topic. (3 units)
      • MUS 490 (1 unit each). To satisfy this requirement, students enroll in any three topics of their choice. (3 units).

      Teacher Preparation Courses
Teacher Preparation

  • Teacher education programs require a student teaching or internship experience. A minimum number of practicum units are also required, which involves supervised field experience with a practicing teacher. These required experiences are embedded in the major requirements courses.

    Before being accepted to student teaching, the following criteria must be met:

    • Admission to the Professional Education Programs (PEP)
    • GPA and course grade requirements for degree program as stated in Additional Admission and Major Requirements
    • Complete all plan requirements
    • All Major Requirements must be completed within the six years prior to student teaching.
    • Successful completion of required state and university training modules
    • All candidates must demonstrate professional and ethical standards of practice as described in the Model Code of Ethics for Educators and adhere to NAU’s and PEP’s Student Code of Conduct
    • All outstanding PEP Alerts must be resolved per improvement plan
    • Attend mandatory Student Teaching Orientation

  • Arizona Teacher Certification

    In order to obtain an Arizona teaching certificate you must pass the National Evaluation Series Secondary Assessment Professional Knowledge Exam.

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 125 units of credit.  

  • You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they were not used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)

Additional Information

  • Be aware that Arizona state teacher certification requirements leading to an Institutional Recommendation may change at any time, and may impact program of study requirements.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information see course information contained in the catalog or your advisor.

  • Please note that this plan takes five years (nine terms) to complete.