Music Education, B.Mus.

School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts

Program Overview

While studying to become a music teacher, you will learn how best to transmit your knowledge of music to students, helping them to discover the enhancements—like creativity, better listening skills, and improved hand-eye coordination—that come with music education. You will explore pedagogical techniques specific to learning music that will help students develop their technical skill, patience, and creativity. You will study with professors from the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music to hone your musical skills while our department helps you navigate the urban school environment.

Music Education, B.Mus.

Where You'll Go

After graduation, you will be ready to step confidently into a classroom. This bachelor’s degree program will provide you with the skills to become a teacher, well versed in research, theory, and practice. You will be qualified for employment in the schools of New York City and to receive New York State initial teacher certification.

Major Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.

Major Requirements (90 Credits Plus Foreign Language or Proficiency)

Music is a writing-intensive major. Adolescence education (grades 7–12) and special subject programs are writing intensive.

The department chair may allow up to six credits of course substitutions for one or more of these requirements consistent with the educational goals of the program.

Students must complete the Conservatory of Music and Department of Secondary Education requirements in sections I, II, and III below for the B.Mus. degree program in music education.

Students must have a GPA of 2.70 or higher based on a minimum of 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences to take Music 35813582, and 3583.

I. Music Core (60 credits)

II. Music Education Courses (15 credits)

  • Music 3350 or 3352 (3 credits)
  • Music 2510 (0 credits; minimum of four terms of 2510 required)
  • Music 35813582, and 3583 (9 credits)
  • Music 3600–3661 (3 credits chosen from these courses)

III. Education Courses (15 credits)

In addition to the required Bachelor of Music in music education curriculum, music education majors must complete the following pedagogical courses, including student teaching (15 credits):

  • Secondary Education 2001 (3 credits)
  • Secondary Education 4413 (12 credits)

Completion of a special subjects program as part of a major in music education qualifies students for New York State initial certification in special subjects for all grades.

Admission Requirements and Academic Standing

Students must have a GPA of 2.70 or higher based on a minimum of 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences to take Secondary Education 2001 and 2002.

Students must have a B- in both Secondary Education 2001 and 2002 and a GPA of 2.75 or higher based on a minimum of 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences to continue to Secondary Education 3401, and/or Secondary Education 3402, and/or Secondary Education 3456.

To take Secondary Education 4413 students must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher and permission of the head of the program.

To take Secondary Education 4401-4406, students must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher, a B- or better in both Secondary Education 3401 and 3402, and/or permission of the head of the program.

To take Secondary Education 4407-4412, students must earn a B- or higher in Secondary Education 4401-4406, a GPA of 2.75 or higher in their major, and the permission of the head of the program.

All music courses offered to satisfy the requirements for a major in music must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.

Major Recommendations

Music majors should complete Music 3211 and 3221 in the lower-freshman term. Students planning to obtain New York State music teacher certification (all grades) should consult a Conservatory of Music counselor in their first term.

Student Learning Outcomes

Performance and Creative Skills

  • Ability to sing or play an instrument that evidences interpretative understanding and technical accomplishment at a level appropriate to the student’s degree program and professional goals.
  • Excellence in solo and ensemble performance.
  • Experience in composition, both original and based on models.
  • Experience improvising.

Basic Musicianship

  • Ability to read at sight.
  • Ability to identify and notate aurally experienced musical events.
  • Functional keyboard skills.
  • Functional knowledge of the terminology, and grammar of music.
  • Understanding of musical elements (rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, dynamics, form) and their application in aural and score analysis.

Knowledge of Repertory and its Cultural Context

  • Exposure to extensive and varied repertory through performance, analysis, and concert attendance.
  • Knowledge of the major periods, composers, genres, and theories of Western art music.
  • Acquaintance with music of other traditions—non-Western art music, vernacular ethnic styles, jazz, popular music, folk music.
  • Understanding of the relationship of music to other arts and to technology.
  • Knowledge of the historical and cultural contexts in which music has been created and performed in different periods and places.

Effective Communication

  • Ability to write and speak about music with precision and clarity.
  • Ability to articulate and defend critical judgments.
  • Ability to apply knowledge and skills in a teaching situation.
  • Demonstrated fluency with technologies required for student’s program.

Degree Maps

View all past degree maps.

Contact

Riki Braunstein, Program Coordinator

409 Whitehead Hall
E: rbraunstein@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 1176

Lyn-Donna George

2608 James Hall
E: lyn-donna.george62@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3771

Or contact:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: adminqry@brooklyn.cuny.edu

To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:

Virtual Admissions Counselor Appointments

Internships and Employers

As a student in the School of Education and the Conservatory of Music, you will complete internships in public and/or private schools throughout the New York City region. The internship is a 14-week, full-time, supervised experience designed to hone the requisite skills and knowledge to work as a childhood education teacher.

Learn More

Brooklyn. All in.

Brooklyn. All in.