Music Education

The University of Connecticut Department of Music, in conjunction with the Neag School of Education, offers a 5-year, triple-degree program in to prepare music teachers. Students earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, plus a Master of Arts in Education, and are prepared to teach general, choral and instrumental music in grades Pre-K - 12. This distinctive program ensures students' ongoing musical development, even as they are gaining valuable on-site experience as pre-professional educators. And, the utility of the Music Education degree extends beyond Connecticut. Through reciprocity agreements, 38 other states accept Connecticut certification as the basis for a teaching license, enabling UConn graduates to teach in most states.

Prospective undergraduate students are admitted to the Department of Music as pre-music education majors. During their first two years, students take core music courses and complete the majority of their general-education requirements. During the fifth semester, students apply to the Neag School of Education, the state-appointed entity responsible for ensuring compliance with teacher-certification requirements. Application procedures include a completed application, letters of recommendation, interview, and music skills assessment. All students who qualify are admitted to the Neag School of Education, which becomes an additional primary school for the last three years of study. Should someone not be admitted to Neag, s/he may complete the BA in music in four years.

UConn music education graduates are both accomplished musicians and effective teachers. The five-year course of study allows time for significant development of musical skills, including fundamental musicianship and performance, and the development of extensive pedagogical expertise. In contrast to many other programs, a great deal of emphasis is placed on practical teaching experience during the final three years of study. For more details, see the Sample Semester Sequence.

Distinctive Aspects

--One-hour lesson on primary instrument for 9 semesters

--Abundant performing opportunities 

--Core music classes with all music majors 

--Core education classes with all education majors 

--Four school-based clinical placements including placements in general music, choral and instrumental music, urban and suburban districts, elementary and secondary schools

--A yearlong inquiry internship designed to develop educational leadership within a single school district

Music Education students complete their student teaching in one placement in the 8th semester and an on-site inquiry internship in the final year. For additional information about this particular program, contact Professor Amanda Hanzlik at Amanda.Hanzlik@uconn.edu. For the Department of Music application process and a description of audition procedures, apply now.

Finally, acceptance in and completion of the IB/M program is not the only pathway available to students who wish to pursue music studies while at UConn and ultimately become a teacher. Other options available to such students include obtaining a bachelor's degree in music and then becoming certified to teach through the Connecticut Alternate Route to Certification (ARC) program.