Music Education, Extended Program

Music Education, PreK-12 - Extended Program

A degree leading to initial and professional certification in Music Education

This program is for students who have earned an undergraduate degree in music (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, etc.) and wish to earn initial certification and a master’s degree with a focus on music education.

With rapidly changing requirements and assessments in the public and private educational system, the music education degree programs at Nazareth College are actively engaged in addressing these evolving needs. Music Education students must be involved in knowing and maintaining a pre-existing fixed body of knowledge while continuing to incorporate new ideas and knowledge into the discipline through the use of new technologies and expanding bodies of musical repertoire and skills. The curriculum of the Music Education Program is designed to offer students advanced instruction in curriculum, pedagogy, musicianship, research methods, and various topics in both music and music education. Additionally, the program addresses the needs of the music educator by providing an opportunity for personal growth in musicianship through courses in music history, music theory, and applied music study.

A number of courses are offered in “hybrid format” (a combination of in-class and on-line instruction), to better accommodate the schedules of our graduate students.

Program Director
Keith A. Koster, Ph.D.
585-389-5164
kkoster8@naz.edu

Entry Requirements

1. Completed Online Application
2. Completion of the professional statement as described on the application
3. Official transcripts from all colleges attended
4. Applicants must have completed, or will be completing, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0 and a “B” average in the major field by the start date of the desired term. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is expected. Applicants who do not meet these requirements must address each of the following in their professional statement:
   • Explain why grades were below Nazareth’s minimum expectations
   • Explain potential to positively contribute to the teaching profession
   • Describe relevant experiences and/or activities that demonstrate ability to successfully complete graduate work at Nazareth College
   • Outline specific procedures that will be followed to successfully navigate and meet the rigorous requirements of graduate study
5.  Upload a recorded audition on the candidate’s major instrument using the online application.
6. Two letters of recommendation
7. Resume

Program leads to: Initial and Professional certification in Music Education

Applying for Teacher Certification through New York State
Teacher candidates use the NYS TEACH system to apply for Initial and Professional certifications and need to pay the fees in effect at the time they apply. New York requires all teacher candidates to have a fingerprint/background check on file with TEACH, pass all appropriate New York State Teacher Certification Examinations and have the appropriate years of teaching experience. New York State Education Department maintains a website with certification requirements: www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/

All teacher candidates in a first time certification program requiring student teaching must successfully complete the following requirements to obtain New York State Teacher Certification:

1. Educating All Students Test (EAS)
2. Content Specialty Test(s) (CST)

Teacher candidates adding an additional certification will need to take the appropriate Content Specialty Test in their new area of certification only.

During a teacher candidate’s final semester, information on the certification application process will be sent via email. Additional support may be obtained by contacting Nazareth College Teacher Certification Office at (585) 389-2051 or by email tcert@naz.edu, or go.naz.edu/cert.

 

Application Deadlines
April 1 for Fall Term (fall start only to accommodate course sequencing)
Applications received after the stated deadline will be processed on a space-available basis.

Program Prerequisites/Deficiencies
Students whose undergraduate preparation in music or music education has areas of deficiency may be required to complete the necessary foundational (preparatory) courses identified in the Extended Program section. The Program Director will assist those students in identifying those areas which must be completed in order to fulfill New York State requirements for Initial Certification in Music Education.

Transcript evaluation and audition/placement testing will determine deficiencies in the following subject areas: Conducting, Instrumental or Choral Methods, Music History, Music Theory, Applied Music Instruction, Ensembles

New York State Teacher Certification Requirements (undergraduate liberal arts requirements)
As required by the New York State Education Department, the following are undergraduate liberal arts requirements for certification in Music Education. A complete transcript review of previous studies will be conducted to ascertain that each applicant meets these requirements. Official transcript(s) must be on file in the Records and Registration Office.

• Applicants to initial certification programs must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and completion of the following coursework:
  • A total of at least 30 semester credit hours in Music Concentration are required, as well as six credit hours in English and six credit hours in social sciences.
• All liberal arts deficiencies must be successfully completed with a grade of C or higher and a total cumulative grade point average of 2.7.

GRADUATE AND EXTENDED PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS