• Bachelors Available
  • Bachelors Available

Music Education

Train to teach from the moment you walk through our doors! Our well-respected music education curriculum at Bowling Green State University is based in scholarship, musicianship and teaching, and is taught by the finest faculty in the field.

Our faculty will position you to live your passion in an academic environment defined by an average ACT score of over 26, and an unusually low faculty to undergraduate ratio of 6:1. As one of the largest and most versatile music education departments in the country, our students learn from conductors and master teachers in choral, classroom and instrumental pedagogy, and receive private instruction from our nearly 60 other teaching professionals and specialists.

Quality classroom experiences

The music education degree prepares students to earn licensure to teach elementary and secondary music in the areas of choral, instrumental band or orchestra, and general music through a blend of course, laboratory, and field experiences. A variety of teaching experiences are available through cooperative lab schools and community service learning programs under the direct guidance of faculty, leading up to the student teaching experience.

Stand Out in courses like

  • Music Theory/Aural Skills
  • Instrumental/Vocal Techniques
  • Class Piano
  • Conducting
  • Applied Lessons
  • Performing Ensembles

Curriculum

Music Education students begin by completing music core courses (music theory, aural skills, music history). They also take techniques classes in each instrument and teaching area, followed by methods courses dedicated to teaching in their specific field of study (choral, instrumental, or classroom/general music). Students also spend time observing local teachers, participating in teaching experiences in the field and complete the degree with the student teaching experience.

Five choral ensembles, three concert bands, two jazz bands, marching band, a large philharmonic orchestra and multiple small ensembles provide numerous performance opportunities and are open to all students by audition.

Internships and Careers

The student teaching internship occurs in the Northwest Ohio region, but students can also apply to distance student teach across the country. Our graduates hold teaching positions throughout Ohio and beyond. The past five Ohio Music Education Association Young Teacher of the Year awards have been given to BGSU music education graduates. Upon leaving BGSU, students secure teaching positions in schools across the country, enter graduate study, and work professionally in high-quality organizations.

Average Starting Salary & BGSU Placement Rate

$33,361* — BGSU Music Education graduates average starting salary

97% of Music Education graduates report they're employed, in graduate school or starting a business within six months of graduation

(BGSU data compiled from students who completed the related questions on the graduation survey.)

College of Musical Arts Admissions

All students who wish to major or minor in music must audition before being accepted to the College of Musical Arts. Students first apply to the University, then select that they want to be a music major. They then must submit an Audition Reservation Form to schedule their audition date. More information about applying.  

In the College of Musical Arts we believe that success is based on both musical and academic ability. While your audition is the primary consideration in your application for admission, your academic portfolio is also of great importance. This includes ACT or SAT scores, high school GPA, and your background and experiences in music.

Although the College of Musical Arts has no official test score requirements, we have found that acceptance into the CMA, and academic success in music classes is most likely to be achieved by students with ACT scores of 22 or higher (1030 SAT). The average student ACT score in the College of Musical Arts is currently 26 (1190 SAT).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in music are expected to:

  • Possess a repertoire of musical skills and knowledge;
  • Demonstrate independence of thought and action in music performance and scholarship;
  • Make informed aesthetic judgments about music compositions and performances, including evaluation of musical knowledge;
  • Understand the styles and structures of music and relate this knowledge to performance;
  • Understand relationships among multiple traditions, histories, and styles of music, art, and other disciplines;
  • Apply technical vocabulary to communicate with a community of other professionals and to instruct novices;
  • Apply musical knowledge to novel situations in performance, teaching, scholarship, and composition, including personal interpretations of the repertoire;
  • Participate in associations and organizations for the improvement of music in our society and articulate complex professional issues to audiences and community constituencies in ways that make these concepts understandable;
  • Lead musical performances and discussions.

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The Music Education program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and is in good standing.  More information on accreditation.

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Music Education program requires professional licensure. More information on professional licensure.

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Music Education program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.

  • Choral
  • Classroom/General Music
  • Instrumental


* Job placement and salary information was compiled by the Office of Academic Assessment through the Graduation Survey from AY2015-2018. The data are gathered around the time of Commencement and a follow-up survey six months post Commencement. For the salary question, data for programs with fewer than fifteen responses are not included. Salaries for those programs are from the National Association of Colleges and Employers Summer 2019 Survey. For questions regarding the data, contact assessment@bgsu.edu.

Updated: 06/09/2022 04:16PM