What Education Is Required to Become a Music Teacher?
- Most major music colleges and many non-music-specific colleges offer degree programs to prepare students for a career in music education. The primary curriculum is structured for those majoring in music education as a career. Examples of courses may include music education computer applications, rehearsal techniques, individual musical instrument and vocal study, conducting, recitals, music arranging and writing, harmony, ear training and music theory courses. These courses are designed to develop well-rounded musical knowledge and musicianship.
- Learning about music is only part of the teaching equation. To teach effectively, prospective music teachers require course work in general music education, elementary and secondary teaching methods, music education approaches and multimedia educator instruction. These courses serve as the basis of how to effectively teach music to different types of individuals at the elementary, secondary and high-school level.
- A solid foundation in the liberal arts also is necessary for music teachers, with courses in general art, history, psychology, creativity, literature and philosophy. Professional and personal development, writing, communication and social studies courses are also relevant and required with a music education degree, and they help education students develop as individuals and learn about art, culture and the fundamentals of societal interactions.
- Becoming a music teacher typically requires teacher certification and state licensing. Students obtain certification by taking the national standard Praxis Series test in Music Education for the grade level their course work provides. The Praxis test is taken at various locations in each state and is administered by the Educational Testing Service, or ETS. ETS reports test scores to your state's department of education or teaching licensing board, who will then approve or deny your application for licensure based on your test scores and course work. The ETS website publishes schedules and locations for testing.
- Each state has a teacher's license requirement, which generally entails filling out the proper form and sending it in with a fee and required documentation. Your state's department of education website will have links to forms and specific information. Some states require criminal background checks, drug testing and CPR training as part of the licensing process.