BM in Music Education (Pre-Teacher Certification)

APU’s music education (pre-teacher certification) major trains future music teachers, offering preparation in the skills, knowledge, and methodologies necessary for success at all levels of music education in California.

89 units

The music education (pre-teacher certification) major provides future vocal, instrumental, and general music teachers the necessary skills, knowledge, and appropriate methodologies for success at all levels of music education within California. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for public schools endorses this specialization. Certification for teaching music in California public schools requires additional coursework in the School of Education (see the Division of Teacher Education section in the catalog for specific requirements), including clinical practice under supervision of a master teacher from the School of Music.

All music education students are required to pass a sophomore music education proficiency examination, which includes a solo performance on their main applied instrument or voice, an interview, and a review of their performance in the aural skills class, including individual critiques from the instructors of that class. If students do not pass this proficiency exam, they are not permitted to continue as a music education major. All music education students must join the student chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

General Education Requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Music Education

GE 100First-Year Seminar3
WRIT 110Writing 1: The Art and Craft of Writing3
Writing 23
Humanities: Literature3
Social Sciences3
Natural Sciences4
Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation
MIN 108Christian Life, Faith, and Ministry3
UBBL 100Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy3
UBBL 230Luke/Acts3
PHIL 100Introduction to Philosophy3
or HUM 224 Core Texts in Philosophy
or HUM 324 Core Texts in Philosophy
Upper-Division Bible Elective3
Theology3
Personal and Social Responsibility
Intercultural Competence
MUS 201Introduction to World Music (F/S, So, Jr, Sr) 13
or MUS 302 Soul Music
Total Units40
1

MUS 201 meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.

Music Education Requirements

Piano Proficiency4
Music Theory12
Music Theory I (F/S, Fr, So) 1
Music Theory II (F/S, Fr, So)
Music Theory III (F/S, So, Jr)
Music Theory IV (F/S, So, Jr)
Practical Musicianship4
Practical Musicianship I (F/S, Fr, So)
Practical Musicianship II (F/S, Fr, So)
Practical Musicianship III (F/S, So, Jr)
Practical Musicianship IV (F/S, So, Jr)
Conducting4
Introduction to Conducting (F, Jr)
Choral Conducting (S, Jr)
Instrumental Conducting
Music History9
Ancient, Renaissance, and World Music Literature (F, Jr)
Writing 3: Baroque, Classical, and Early Romantic Music Literature (F/S, Jr) 2
Late Romantic and 20th-Century Music Literature (F/S, Sr) 3
Applied Music16
Students must take 2 units on their primary instrument each semester of full-time status (F/S). Students whose primary instrument is voice must have at least 8 units of MUS 111 (section CV is required).
Ensemble Requirement9
For ensemble credit, choose either the instrumental or choral emphasis listed below
Other Requirements
MUS 210Performance Forum (F/S, 8 semesters)0
MUS 296Introduction to Music Technology (F/S, Fr)2
MUS 441Music in Worship (F/S, Jr, Sr)3
Music Education Courses
MUS 101Beginning Voice Class (not required for students whose principal applied area is voice)1
or MUS 102 Intermediate Voice Class
MUS 206Introduction to Music Education (F, So)2
MUS 331String Instrument Techniques (ES, So, Jr, Sr)1
MUS 332Woodwind Instrument Techniques (EF, So, Jr, Sr)1
MUS 333Brass Instrument Techniques (OF, So, Jr, Sr)1
MUS 334Percussion Instrument Techniques (OS, So, Jr, Sr)1
MUS 232Guitar Techniques (OS, So, Jr, Sr)1
MUS 405Choral Music Methods (ES, Jr, Sr)3
MUS 451Repertoire for the Instrumental Music Classroom (S, Jr, Sr)2
or MUS 456 Choral Literature
MUS 404Instrumental Music Methods (OS, Jr, Sr)3
MUS 330Elementary Music Methods (EF, Jr, Sr)3
MUS 491Senior Recital (F/S, Jr, Sr) 40
MUS 423Orchestration I (F/S, Jr, Sr)3
MUS 427Form and Analysis (F, Jr, Sr)3
Choose one of the following:1
Jazz Improvisation Workshop (F/S, So, Jr, Sr)
Jazz Improvisation Workshop (F/S, So, Jr, Sr)
Jazz Improvisation Workshop (F/S, So, Jr, Sr)
Jazz Improvisation Workshop (F/S, So, Jr, Sr)
Jazz and Commercial Ensemble (F/S, So, Jr, Sr)
Jazz and Commercial Ensemble (F/S, So, Jr, Sr)
Jazz and Commercial Ensemble (F/S, So, Jr, Sr)
Jazz and Commercial Ensemble (F/S, So, Jr, Sr)
Improvisation for Music Education
Total Units89
1

Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement.

2

Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.

3

Meets the General Education Humanities: History requirement.

4

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

Instrumental Emphasis

Students must take a total of 9 units of ensemble. For the instrumental emphasis, students should enroll in 8 units in any combination or order from the following: Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra. In addition, 1 unit must be completed in University Choir, Oratorio Choir, or Chamber Singers.8
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band (F/S)
Symphonic Band (F/S)
Symphonic Band (F/S)
Symphonic Band (F/S)
Symphonic Band (F/S)
Symphonic Band (F/S)
Symphonic Band (F/S)
Symphonic Band (F/S)
Wind Ensemble
Wind Ensemble (F/S)
Wind Ensemble (F/S)
Wind Ensemble (F/S)
Wind Ensemble (F/S)
Wind Ensemble (F/S)
Wind Ensemble (F/S)
Wind Ensemble (F/S)
Wind Ensemble (F/S)
Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra (F/S)
Symphony Orchestra (F/S)
Symphony Orchestra (F/S)
Symphony Orchestra (F/S)
Students must also complete one from the following:1
University Choir
University Choir
University Choir
University Choir
University Choir & Orchestra
University Choir & Orchestra
University Choir
University Choir
Oratorio Choir (F/S, One semester)
Chamber Singers
Chamber Singers
Total Units9

Choral Emphasis

Students must take a total of 9 units of ensemble. For the choral emphasis, students should enroll in 8 units in any combination or order from the following:8
University Choir
University Choir
University Choir
University Choir
University Choir & Orchestra
University Choir & Orchestra
University Choir
University Choir
Oratorio Choir
Chamber Singers
Chamber Singers
Students must also take:
One semester of instrumental experience from Jazz Band, Jazz Improvisation Workshop, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, or Symphony Orchestra. If a singer is unable to participate in an instrumental ensemble, they may choose to do 1 additional unit of applied lessons on an instrument of their choice.1
Total Units9

For admission to the APU credential program, students must complete one additional course from the following:

Select one of the following:3
Introduction to World Music (F/S, So, Jr, Sr) 1
Music of Latin America
Music of Asia
Music of Africa
1

Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement. 

F Offered in Fall only
S Offered in Spring only
F/S Offered in both Fall and Spring terms
EF Offered in Fall in even years
ES Offered in Spring in even years
OF Offered in Fall in odd years
OS Offered in Spring in odd years
Course Requirement Availability: Recommended Year:
F = Offered every fall Fr = Freshman
S = Offered every spring So = Sophomore
E = Even Year Jr = Junior
O = Odd Year Sr = Senior

Music Theory Proficiency

The Music Theory Placement Examination is given online to incoming students who are not transferring credit for Music Theory I from another college or university. This examination measures the student’s background in music theory and ensures placement at the appropriate level. Students who are not ready for Music Theory I take MUS 120, and upon successful completion of MUS 120, begin the music theory sequence in the next semester. Music theory is taken in sequential order (I, II, III, IV). Before advancing to the next level, a grade of C or better is required. If a C or better is not achieved at any level, the course must be repeated.

Practical Musicianship

Practical musicianship is taken in sequential order (I, II, III, IV). Before advancing to the next level, a grade of C or better is required. If a C or better is not achieved at any level, the course must be repeated.

Piano Proficiency

Each student must register for a piano class or Applied Piano until the Piano Proficiency Examination is passed. Examination fact sheets are available in the School of Music office. Students will not be cleared to graduate until they have passed the proficiency examination, which is usually met at the conclusion of MUS 106

Grade-Point Average

Music students must maintain a 2.5 GPA for all upper-division music classes (those classified as 300 and 400 level). Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.0 or who are on probation are not eligible to participate in a performing group other than Masterworks Chorale.

Music Education Concentration Grade Requirement

Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all of their music education concentration courses. Otherwise, the course(s) must be repeated.

Performance Forum

MUS 210 meets every Monday at 4:20 p.m. and features a variety of presentations including student recitals, guest artists, and lecturers. Music students must be continuously enrolled in Performance Forum for eight semesters. This class is graded pass/fail based on attendance. Students who do not pass the course will be required to take MUS 353 Concert Music to make up the deficiency. Transfer students must enroll in MUS 210 and an approved ensemble every semester in attendance, up to eight semesters.

Recital Performance

Music education majors must present a solo performance annually in either a studio recital or performance forum student recital as well as a senior recital. In the case of a student who is taking instruction in more than one applied area, recital performance is required only in the primary applied area.

All students must take applied jury each semester, unless presenting either a junior or senior recital in that semester.

Music education majors must register for MUS 491 in the semester in which the senior recital will be given. Students giving recitals should follow the guidelines in the Azusa Pacific University School of Music Recital Confirmation Packet (available through the School of Music office).

Applied Music

  1. Students must take at least 16 units in one applied area.
  2. Students must take at least 1 unit of applied lessons each semester, even if the minimum number of units for their emphasis has been met.
  3. All students, in conjunction with the instructor, are responsible for selecting an accompanist for juries by the indicated deadlines. There are three ways to select an accompanist:
    1. Faculty may request an accompanist with the Accompanist Request Form available in the School of Music office by the indicated deadlines.
    2. Faculty may request a specific accompanist by submitting an Accompanist Request Form available in the School of Music office by the indicated deadlines.
    3. If no Accompanist Request Form is submitted, or is requested after the published deadlines, faculty members are responsible to make arrangements for their students.
  4. Private lessons:
    1. Grades for private lessons are issued based on a minimum of 12 lessons per semester. The grade will be lowered if the student attends fewer than the minimum of 12 lessons. Additionally, if the student does not meet the mandatory annual solo performance requirement, an F will be assigned for the spring semester applied grade.
    2. The area director will assign an instructor.
    3. When the student is ill and notifies the teacher in advance, a makeup lesson will be rescheduled if possible. “No-show” students do not receive makeup lessons.

Voice Class

All music education majors without voice as their major performance area must take one semester of Voice Class or Private Voice.

Ensemble Requirement

In each of eight semesters as music majors, students must participate in an appropriate performance ensemble. The information for the appropriate ensemble for each degree and concentration is clearly articulated in the Undergraduate Music Student Handbook and further communicated through the music student advisement process. Membership in multiple ensembles in a given semester counts as only one semester toward the ensemble requirement. Transfer students must participate in a performance ensemble each semester until they graduate or accumulate eight semesters.