group of middle school students playing instruments

What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Music students must pass a qualifying examination specific to their concentration during their fourth semester of study. The rising junior jury determines whether the student has made adequate progress to qualify for entry to the 3000-level of applied music study. (4 years)

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Spring – November 15 (All concentrations except Conducting)
  • Summer – March 1 (Music Education concentration and non-degree programs only)
  • Fall – June 1 (All concentrations)

Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Music Education, B.Mu.

The Music Education Faculty believes all cultures should be represented and that both traditional and novel settings should be used to teach music. You will take traditional method classes but will also learn to improvise, use electric instruments, compose and much more. You will learn to be the best possible ensemble/choral director in addition to being able to design novel student-centered instruction. Most important, you will learn to channel your passion for music through effective instruction.

Music Education prepares you to teach music in schools or other group settings from early childhood through adulthood. After graduation, you qualify for a Georgia teaching certificate in K-12 music. In addition to performance, you will study child development and learning, as well as methods of teaching music. Applicants should have a strong background in music performance and music reading and should have a particular interest in sharing their love of music with others.

The mission of the School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

Program Highlights

Our Graduates Succeed.

  • 100% Job Placement Rate
  • 100% EdTPA Pass Rate

 

You’ve Found the Right School.

  • Exemplary Program as rated by Georgia Professional Standards Commission
  • National Music in Education Award from the College Music Society for the innovative Sound Learning outreach program
  • Research-Driven Instruction by Faculty at the Forefront of Music Education Research

Program Details

A separate application to the School of Music is required. Students must submit any required pre-screening audition materials or portfolios and must complete in-person auditions to be accepted. These deadlines and audition dates can be found on the School of Music application landing page.

Prospective students applying for any Bachelor of Music degree program in any concentration (Performance, Composition, Jazz Studies, or Music Education,) or a Bachelor of Science degree in either concentration (Music Management or Music Production & Audio Recording,) must perform a live audition or submit a digital portfolio before beginning first-year coursework in music. Audition requirements are explained here.

B.Mu. in Music

Note: B.Mu. students must take a mixture of courses from Area F and Area G during 8 semesters of undergraduate study. First-year and second-year students must enroll in required MUS coursework to avoid a delayed graduation date.

B.Mu. courses to fulfill Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) requirement 

B.Mu. students take at least one of the following, as prescribed in concentration Area G requirements.

  • MUS 4810 Music History from the Classical Period to the Present-CTW (3)
  • MUS 4820 World Music-CTW (3)

Music Education Concentration, Emphasis in Choral/General

Area F: Courses Related to the Major (18)

  1. Required Courses (8)
  2. MUS 10XX Appropriate large ensemble (4) (4 semesters, 1 credit each)*
    • MUS 1060 Wind Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1061 Wind Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1062 Concert Band (1)
    • MUS 1070 Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1080 Men’s Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1080A University Singers (1)
    • MUS 1081 Choral Union (1)
    • MUS 1082 Women’s Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1083 Master Singers (1)
    • MUS 1652 Perimeter College Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1654 Perimeter College Wind Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1656 DeKalb Symphony Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1754 Perimeter College Jazz Lab Band (1)
    • MUS 1756 Perimeter College Jazz Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1758 Perimeter College Chamber Ensembles (1)
      * Ensembles: please not that students are assigned to appropriate ensembles by pool auditions at the beginning of every fall and spring semester.
  3. Group Piano (2)
    • MUS 1710 Group Instruction in Piano I (1)
    • MUS 1720 Group Instruction in Piano II (1)
  4. Applied Lessons (four semesters) (4):
    • APXX 1001 Applied Music (1)
    • APXX 1002 Applied Music (1)
    • APXX 2001 Applied Music (1)
    • APXX 2002 Applied Music (1)

Area G: Major Courses (67)

  1. Performance Requirements (14)*
    • APXX 3001 Applied Music — Junior I (1)
    • APXX 3002 Applied Music — Junior II (1)
    • APXX 4001 Applied Music — Senior I (1)
    • MUS 4010 Performance Laboratory (0) (7 semesters)
    • MUS 3000 Recital I (0) (optional)
    • MUS 30XX Appropriate large ensemble (1) (3 semesters)
      • *Note: MUS 3071 Collaborative Piano (1) may be substituted for one semester of large ensemble.
    • MUS 2710 Group Instruction in Piano III (1)
    • MUS 2720 Group Instruction in Piano IV (1)
    • MUS 2490 Basic Conducting (2)
    • MUS 4480 Choral Conducting (2)
    • Select one:
      • MUS 1730 or MUS 1740 Group Instruction in Voice I or II (2)
      • MUS 4440 Vocal Pedagogy (2)
      • APXX 1000 Applied Music (2 semesters) (2)
  2. Theory/Composition Requirements (8)
  3. Music History & Literature Requirement (6)
    • MUS 4800 Music History Antiquity to Baroque (3)
    • MUS 4820 World Music-CTW (3)
  4. Music Education Requirements (24). Students must earn a grade of B or higher in these courses.
    • MUS 3310 Introduction to Music Education (3)
    • MUS 3320 General Music in Early Childhood (3)
    • MUS 3330 General Music in Middle and Secondary Schools (3)
    • MUS 3340 Choral Music in the Schools (3)
    • MUS 4260 Practicum in Music Education (3)
    • MUS 4270 (TE) Student Teaching in Music (6)
    • MUS 4290 (TE) Senior Seminar in Music Education (3)
    • MUS 4650 (TE) Opening School Experience (0)
  5. Professional Education Requirements (12)
    • EDUC 2110 Investigating Critical & Contemporary Issues in Education (3)
    • EDUC 2120 Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity in Educational Contexts (3)
    • EDUC 2130 Exploring Learning & Teaching (3)
    • EXC 4020 Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (3)
  6. Choose (3) credit hours to complete a minimum of 127 hours from the following:
    • MUS 1710 Group Instruction in Piano I (1)
    • MUS 1720 Group Instruction in Piano II (1)
    • MUS 2780 Beginning Jazz Improvisation (1)
    • MUS 3010 Basic Improvisation (1)
    • MUS 4110 Instrumentation and Orchestration (3)
    • MUS 4140 Arranging for Chorus (1)
    • MUS 4450 Advanced Tonal Analysis (3)
    • MUS 4460 Analysis of Post-Tonal Music (3)
    • MUS 4730 Computer Applications in Music (2)
    • MUS 4810 Music History Classical to Present-CTW (3)

Music Education Concentration, Emphasis in Instrumental

Area F: Courses Related to the Major (18)

  1. Required Courses (8)
  2. MUS 10XX Appropriate large ensemble (4) (4 semesters, 1 credit each)*
    • MUS 1060 Wind Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1061 Wind Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1062 Concert Band (1)
    • MUS 1070 Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1080 Men’s Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1080A University Singers (1)
    • MUS 1081 Choral Union (1)
    • MUS 1082 Women’s Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1083 Master Singers (1)
    • MUS 1652 Perimeter College Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1654 Perimeter College Wind Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1656 DeKalb Symphony Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1754 Perimeter College Jazz Lab Band (1)
    • MUS 1756 Perimeter College Jazz Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1758 Perimeter College Chamber Ensembles (1)
      * Ensembles: please note that students are assigned to appropriate ensembles by pool auditions at the beginning of every fall and spring semester.
  3. Group Piano (2)
    • MUS 1710 Group Instruction in Piano I (1)
    • MUS 1720 Group Instruction in Piano II (1)
  4. Applied Lessons (four semesters) (4):
    • APXX 1001 Applied Music (1)
    • APXX 1002 Applied Music (1)
    • APXX 2001 Applied Music (1)
    • APXX 2002 Applied Music (1)

 

Applicants to the School of Music are automatically considered for talent-based scholarships. Program fees include locker, laboratory, and recital expenses associated with certain programs, classes and degree requirements. Students registering for an Applied Music course will be charged an Applied Music fee. For each 1000-level Applied Music course, a $200.00 fee will be charged. For other Applied Music courses, a $350.00 fee will be charged.

The School of Music provides unparalleled opportunities to study and work among an inspiring community of musicians in one of America’s most vibrant urban centers. Students receive exceptional training, are provided with meaningful opportunities and begin serious careers no matter what type of music drives their passion. The goals and outcomes from a graduate degree include:

  • Ensuring comprehensive exposure to an array of perspectives as represented by the various faculty approaches to music performance, music history, music theory and teaching styles.
  • Honoring the continuing traditions of music-making and pedagogy while exploring new forms and contemporary issues within the various musical fields.
  • Developing pedagogical skills and strategies through teaching assistantships for undergraduate-level courses.
  • Preparing students for a professional career in music through rigorous performance preparation, exposure to important repertoire and attention to practical business aspects of various musical careers.

Description

Careers

Music Education (Bachelor of Music) prepares you to teach music in schools or other group settings from early childhood through adulthood. After graduation, you qualify for a Georgia teaching certificate in K-12 music. In addition to performance, you will study child development and learning, as well as methods of teaching music. Applicants should have a strong background in music performance and music reading and should have a particular interest in sharing their love of music with others.

The mission of the School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

Contacts

Admissions
[email protected]

Undergraduate Admissions
404-413-2500
[email protected]
Sparks Hall
Suite 200
33 Gilmer St. SE
Atlanta, GA 30303

School of Music
75 Poplar St, 5th floor
Atlanta, GA 30303

35 Broad St., 4th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.