Christopher Newport University | Department of Music

Completion of the Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in instrumental music education or choral music education does not result in teacher certification. Students who wish to become teachers should complete the Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in either instrumental or choral music education and either the required courses for teacher certification or the Master of Arts in Teaching degree.

Students majoring in music can prepare to teach elementary school, pre-kindergarten through grade six, all core subjects, or secondary school, grades six through 12, in the content area of music, choral, instrumental. See the CNU Graduate Catalog (pdf) for the requirements leading to teacher certification.

Application to the 5-year Master of Arts in Teaching program must be made in spring of the junior year and requires a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, passing scores on the PRAXIS 1 exam, an essay specifying the reason for applying to the program, and three letters of recommendation. Students accepted into the MAT graduate in four years with the Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in either instrumental or choral music education and then complete an additional year of study leading to the MAT degree and teacher certification. See the CNU Graduate Catalog (pdf, opens new window) for the requirements leading to the MAT.

Bachelor of Music
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC EDUCATION CONCENTRATION
1) MUSC 141, 200, 209-210, 211-212, 303-304, 306(W), 309-310, 311-312, 316, and 401(W);
2) MUSC 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, and 570;
3) Either MUSC 530 or 540, depending on area of concentration, and MUSC
510;
4) APP MUSC 131-132, 231-232, 331-332, and 431-432 (senior recital);
5) Eight credits in either MUSC 101, 102, 111, 112, or 114, depending on
area of concentration (two credits of MUSC 112 are required for band
majors);
6) MATH 125, PSYC 207 or 208, PSYC 312, SOCL 314, THEA 230, and
CPSC 110;
7) Four semesters of piano; successful completion of the piano proficiency
examination;
8) Eight semesters in MUSC 012 (Performance Attendance);
9) Completion of the exit examinations in music theory and music history
with a score of 70 percent or higher.

Bachelor of Music
CHORAL MUSIC EDUCATION CONCENTRATION
1) MUSC 141, 200, 209-210, 211-212, 303-304, 306(W), 309-310, 311-312,
314;
2) MUSC 220, 230, 240, 250;
3) MUSC 265, 266, 520, and 596;
4) APP MUSC 131-132, 231-232, 331-332, 431-432 (senior recital);
5) Eight credits in MUSC 105, 106, or 117;
6) MATH 125, PSYC 207 or 208, PSYC 312, SOCL 314, THEA 230, and
CPSC 110;
7) Four semesters of piano; successful completion of the piano proficiency
examination;
8) Eight semesters in MUSC 012 (Performance Attendance);
9) Completion of the exit examinations in music theory and music history
with a score of 70 percent or higher.

THE BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN MUSIC

MUSIC CONCENTRATION
In addition to requiring successful completion of all general education and degree studies requirements, the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music requires successful completion of the following courses:
1) Six credits of upper-level music electives;
2) MUSC 141, 200, 209-210, 211-212, 303-304, 306(W), 309-310, 311-312,
314 or 316;
3) APP MUSC 131-132 and 231-232;
4) Eight credits in MUSC 101, 102, 105, 106, 111, 112, 114, or 117,
depending on area of concentration; two credits of chamber ensembles;
5) Four semesters of piano; successful completion of the piano proficiency
examination;
6) Eight semesters in MUSC 012 (Performance Attendance);
7) THEA 230 and PHIL 304;
8) Six credits of upper-level, non-Music electives and nine credits of upper-
or lower-level non-Music electives;
9) Completion of the exit examinations in music theory and music history
with a score of 70 percent or higher.

THE MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING DEGREE (Five-Year Program)
In addition to successful completion of all general education and degree studies requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree in either choral or instrumental music education, the MAT degree requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, successful completion of one of the following concentrations, and 150 hours of documented post-baccalaureate field experiences prior to student teaching.

Master of Arts in Teaching (courses beyond the BM)
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC EDUCATION CONCENTRATION
1) TCHG 510, 516, and 543;
2) PSYC 535, CPSC 580, and SOCL 501;
3) MUSC 515, 537, 550, 580, and APP COND 533 or MUSC 538.

Master of Arts in Teaching (courses beyond the BM)
CHORAL MUSIC EDUCATION CONCENTRATION
1) TCHG 510, 516, and 543;
2) PSYC 535, CPSC 580, and SOCL 501;
3) MUSC 510, 515, 537, 580, and APP COND 533 or MUSC 538.

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING DEGREE (Already Degreed)
Graduate students accepted into the MAT program must have earned the Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in Instrumental or Choral Music Education from
CNU or an equivalent Bachelor of Music degree from an NASM-accredited institution
with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. In addition to these prerequisite degree requirements, the following courses or their equivalents that show these competencies in the field of music education must be satisfied in order to earn the MAT with PK-12 teaching certification in Instrumental or Choral Music Education:

The Master of Arts in Teaching Degree (Already Degreed)
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC EDUCATION CONCENTRATION
1) MUSC 510 and 515;
2) MUSC 530 (band) or 540 (orchestra);
3) MUSC 537, 550, 570, and 580;
4) APP COND 533 or 538;
5) SOCL 314 and 501;
6) CPSC 110 and 580; PSYC 207 or 208, 312, and 535;
7) TCHG 510, 516, and 543;
8) Praxis Examinations I and II;
9) 150 hours of teaching experience prior to internship.

The Master of Arts in Teaching Degree (Already Degreed)
CHORAL MUSIC EDUCATION CONCENTRATION
1) MUSC 515;
2) MUSC 520;
3) MUSC 537, 580, and 596;
4) CPSC 110 and 580;
5) APP COND 533 or MUSC 538;
6) SOCL 314 and 501;
7) PSCY 207 or 208, 312, and 535;
8) TCHG 510, 516, and 543;
9) Praxis Examinations I and II;
10) 150 hours of teaching experience prior to internship.

PK-12 TEACHING LICENSURE ONLY

CHORAL MUSIC EDUCATION
Graduate students pursuing teaching licensure must have earned the Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in Choral Music Education from CNU or an equivalent Bachelor of Music degree from an NASM-accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher. In addition to these prerequisite degree requirements, the following courses or their equivalents that show these competencies in the field of choral music education must be satisfied in order to earn PK-12 teaching certification in Choral Music Education:

1) SOCL 314; PSYC 207 or 208, 312, and 535; and CPSC 110 and 580;
2) TCHG 510, 516, and 543;
3) MUSC 510 and 537;
4) Praxis Examinations I and II;
5) 150 hours of teaching experience prior to internship.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC EDUCATION
Graduate students pursuing teaching licensure must have earned the Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in Instrumental Music Education from CNU or an equivalent Bachelor of Music degree from an NASM-accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher. In addition to these prerequisite degree requirements, the following courses or their equivalents that show these competencies in the field of instrumental music education must be satisfied in order to earn PK-12 teaching certification in Instrumental Music Education:

1) SOCL 314; PSYC 207 or 208, 312, and 535; and CPSC 110 and 580;
2) TCHG 510, 516, and 543;
3) MUSC 510, 530 or 540, 537, 570, and 580;
4) Praxis Examinations I and II;
5) 150 hours of teaching experience prior to internship.