Music
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Music Education Major in Pennsylvania
Become a successful music teacher through Messiah University's music education program. Earn your bachelor's degree at a Christian university and gain hands-on experience in the classroom teaching vocal, instrumental and general music.
Study Music Education at a Christian University
If teaching music is your goal, then the music education degree at Messiah University, one of the top private Christian universities in the U.S., is the program for you. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in music education provides you with comprehensive training in curriculum, teaching practice, and performance to prepare you to teach vocal, instrumental and general music in K-12 public and private schools.
After selecting a vocal or instrumental music education track, you'll prepare to teach others while also honing your own performance skills. You’ll take courses in the music core such as sight singing and ear training, history of music, music theory and conducting that help build musical skills.
You will work with teachers who are at the top of their professions to participate in field experiences that give you practical, hands-on involvement with students from a variety of backgrounds. All courses are taught with a Christian worldview by professors who want to see each student grow in faith and insight, specifically with regard to a career as a music teacher.
As a music education major at Messiah University, you’ll be able to:
- Interact with public school children, grades K-12, from a variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
- Immerse yourself in the professional educational environment; field experience begins the first semester of your sophomore year
- Perform in recitals and ensembles that often lead to professional recording projects
- Develop leadership skills in student organizations and chamber music ensembles
- Gain direct performance experience through involvement in chapel, recitals, traveling ministries, theatre and more
- Work closely with professional performers in applied study
- Analyze music that illustrates a variety of styles and forms
- Join professional organizations such as National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and American Choral Directors' Association (ACDA)
- Attend professional conferences
- Integrate your music philosophy with your Christian faith
- Win graduate assistantships to offset the costs of Master’s degrees in programs at large universities.
As a graduate of Messiah University’s music education degree, you will integrate your music philosophy with your Christian faith, and be fully prepared for a rewarding career in vocal and instrumental music in grades K-12.
As a graduate of the music education program, you will be equipped to secure positions such as:
- Choral directors
- Band directors
- Orchestra conductors
- Private teachers
- General music teacher
For more information on career planning for the music education program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah helps place students in a variety of music education field placements. A few examples include:
- Observe and work with teachers and students in actual school settings.
- Work closely with public school teachers to gain classroom experience throughout the degree program.
Programs related to Music Education
Education with Dual Certification (Grades Pre-K through 4th) and Special Education (Pre-K through 12th)
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Education with Teaching Certification in Grades 4-8
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Education with Dual Certification (Grades Pre-K through 4th) and Special Education (Pre-K through 12th)
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In the Music Education program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Music Education:
Music Education (B.S.) with PK-12 Teaching Certification
Music Education careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of the Music Education program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
Where they work
- Newport Area School District
- Friendship Church of the Brethren
- Chambersburg School District
- Farmwell Station Middle School
- Pine Bush Central School District
- The King's Christian School
- Aston Elementary School
- Grace Academy Christian School
- Warren County Public Schools
- Kodiak Island Borough School District
- Elizabethtown School District
- St. Aloysius Academy for Boys
- Lincoln Technical Institute
- Valdez Elementary
- Lancaster and Lebanon County Schools
- Colonial Beach Public Schools
What they do
- Private music teacher
- Choral director
- Band director
- Orchestra conductor
- Elementary school music teacher
- Middle school music teacher
- High school music teacher
- Graduate student
- Education coordinator
- Music theory educator
- Director of vocal studies
- Vocal music teacher
- Instrumental music director
Graduate school
- University of North Texas
- University of North Carolina- Greensboro
- Boston University
- University of Southern Maine
- Indiana University
- University of New Mexico
- University of Kentucky
- Michigan State University
- Lynn Conservatory of Music
- Florida State University
96% of the Class of 2022 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Performance and learning opportunities
You will perform in recitals and ensembles that often lead to professional recording projects and have the opportunity to develop leadership skills in student organizations and chamber music ensembles. You may even wish to join professional organizations such as National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and American Choral Directors' Association (ACDA).
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.