Music Education
Music Education
The School of Music is committed to providing a quality music education program that prepares pre-service music teachers to become highly qualified professionals. At the University of Delaware School of Music, you can earn your Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education or Master of Music (M.M.) in Music Education.
Did you Know?
Students who graduate from UD in Music Education have a 100% job placement rate in schools!
The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). All University of Delaware Professional Education Programs are guided by a unified Conceptual Framework, where candidates will demonstrate a commitment to education as a scholarly profession.
As a graduate of the University of Delaware's Music Education program, you'll be fully prepared to inspire and educate the next generation of musicians.
Graduates of our program learn to:
- Design engaging music lessons that support students' musical and personal growth, while using evidence-based assessments to track progress.
- Develop expertise in music and teaching to help students at all levels enhance their musical skills.
- Collaborate with families, students, and music professionals to create safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments.
- Make a lasting impact by creating positive and meaningful musical experiences that empower all learners to reach their fullest potential.
Undergraduate Program
Graduate Program
FAQs about Our Undergraduate Program in Music Education
Music Education Majors in our program graduate with over 700 hours of teaching experience in local classrooms, K-12. Specifically, in our program, students engage in three types of teaching and learning experiences:
- Practicum: Students gain over 150 hours of hands-on teaching experience in elementary, middle school, and high school classes before student teaching.
- Student Teaching: Students gain 560 hours of hands-on teaching experience in two student teaching placements that take place in the spring of their senior year.
- Other Teaching Opportunities: Starting in their freshman year, students have opportunities throughout their time studying to work professionally through the UD Community Music School, teaching private lessons, broadway classes, choirs, music theory, digital music, wind ensemble, and more. They also have the opportunity to work with a service learning project called ProjectMUSIC, teaching a variety of subjects and collaborating with local community partners to bring music education to communities in need.
Music education undergraduates receive instruction from the same faculty members as performance majors. They also regularly perform in premier ensembles, and have full access to all performance opportunities offered by the School of Music.
Private lessons for music education majors are one hour in length- the same amount of time as performance majors.
Yes! Many music education majors also have a minor such as disability studies, language (e.g.., Spanish), or a secondary instrument.
Yes- many of our students participate in multiple ensembles. Most ensembles do not overlap, so students are able to gain experience in multiple vocal and instrumental ensembles if they choose.
FAQs about Our Master’s of Music Program in Teaching
- Teaching Assistantships: Students who receive Teaching Assistantships in Music Education receive a wealth of hands-on teaching experiences. Students frequently work with undergraduate music education classes such as Elementary General Music Methods and Materials, Secondary General Music Methods and Materials, Elementary Instrumental Methods and Materials, Secondary Instrumental Methods and Materials, Musicianship for Teaching, Freshman Seminar in Music Education, Music Education Student Teaching Seminar, Secondary Choral Methods and Materials, and Instrumental Methods courses. Graduate Teaching Assistants gain experience mentoring preservice teachers and observing students teaching in local elementary, middle, and high schools. Each year, some graduate students teach courses such as Creative Sound Design, University Strings, Instrumental Methods, and more.
- Professional Teaching Opportunities: Many of our graduate students engage in part-time professional roles during their studies, with opportunities ranging from teaching K-8 music, directing high school marching bands, to instructing early childhood music. UD faculty actively facilitate connections with local schools and community partners, ensuring a steady stream of job opportunities for our graduate students each year.
Students enrolled in the Master's Degree in Music (MM) with a Teaching Concentration complete a capstone project during their second year of study. Depending on the track a student selects (PROFESSIONAL or RESEARCH), they will complete a Master's Thesis (RESEARCH TRACK) or a Professional Development Project (PROFESSIONAL TRACK).
MM in Teaching students benefit from small class sizes and frequently collaborate with faculty on various projects. Their research often leads to presentations at international, national, regional, or state conferences. Graduates of this program are highly sought after, landing positions in some of the most competitive school districts.
Yes! Our students frequently sing/play in ensembles at the graduate level.
Contact the Coordinator of Graduate Music Education, Dr. Aimee D. Pearsall, at apearsall@udel.edu.
