Bachelor of Music Education

Advisor for Instrumental: Dr. Peter LaRue
Advisor for Vocal: Dr. Heather Hunnicutt

(Effective Fall 2002)
(Updated July 2009 and November 2011)

B.M.E. degree P-12 Instrumental Music

68 hours for certification, including MUS 111, 112, 126, 153, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 314, 318, 319, 320, 335, 337, 412, 425, 426; 14 hours of applied music (8 hours of 162, 6 hours of 362), and 7 hours of primary ensemble (105). Applied study and the primary ensemble must be reflective of the major performance medium. All B.M.E. Instrumental Music students are required to participate in MUS 105 each semester except during the semester of student teaching.

A total of 24 hours of Professional Education courses are required, EDU 131, 233, 307, 309, 337, 423, 473-474 (student teaching). Additional departmental requirements include: (1) continuation jury examination, (2) piano proficiency, (3) senior recital, and (4) participation and membership in Music Educators National Conference (MENC). General Education requirements for B.M.E. majors are 42 hours. No minor is required.

Upon successful completion of the B.M.E. degree Instrumental Music program, the student will be eligible for Kentucky certification in P-12 Instrumental Music.

B.M.E. degree P-12 Vocal Music

72 hours for certification, including MUS 104, 111, 112, 126, 127, 211, 212, 217, 259, 302, 303, 314, 315, 317, 319, 335, 336, 412, 425, 426; 14 hours of applied music (8 hours of 162, 6 hours of 362), and 7 hours of primary ensemble (102). Applied study and the primary ensemble must be reflective of the major performance medium. All B.M.E. Vocal Music students are required to participate in MUS 102 each semester except during the semester of student teaching.

A total of 24 hours of Professional Education courses are required, EDU 131, 233, 307, 337, 423, 473-474 (student teaching). Additional departmental requirements include: (1) continuation jury examination, (2) piano proficiency, (3) senior recital, and (4) participation and membership in Music Educators National Conference (MENC). General Education requirements for B.M.E. majors are 43 hours. No minor is required.

Upon successful completion of the B.M.E. degree Vocal Music program, the student will be eligible for Kentucky certification in P-12 Vocal Music.

Please refer to the TEACHER EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK.

Rationale

Programs leading to the Bachelor of Music Education degree are designed to provide excellent preparation for teaching music in the public schools. Beginning in Fall 2002, Georgetown College offers both P-12 Instrumental Music, and P-12 Vocal Music, for those who desire to become band directors, or choir directors, respectively.

Professional Preparation

Because the musician/teacher is a total musician, the student will pursue studies in music theory and music history in order to gain an understanding of a broad scope of music literature. Study of the student’s major instrument is also necessary to develop proper musical and technical skills. Students will study their principal applied performance medium for seven semesters (MUS 162: 8 hours; MUS 362: 6 hours). Opportunities are available for performing in various primary and secondary ensembles. Membership in a primary ensemble must be held every semester of residence. The ensemble requirement is waived during the semester of student teaching.

Professional preparation for teaching music in schools involves a general understanding of the total music curriculum in the schools, and methods and materials for teaching music at all levels in choral and instrumental programs. Students will have opportunities to observe and work with public school music classes before student teaching. Student teaching is done at both the elementary and secondary levels, completing a comprehensive preparation for certification.

All Music Education Majors are expected to join the Georgetown College Student Chapter of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), the professional teacher’s organization. Membership begins during the first semester. Chapter meeting dates and times will be announced via the department’s bulletin boards. Please get in the habit of reading bulletin boards daily.

Deadlines:

October 1 is the deadline for submitting application materials and portfolio for consideration for admission during the fall semester.
February 15 is the deadline for second-semester consideration.

Criteria for admission into Teacher Education:

Students must apply for admission to Teacher Education no earlier than the completion of five hours of Education classes, including EDU 131, Current Issues in Education.
Each student must have a 2.75 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, and have completed all previous education classes with a grade of “C” or above. A 2.75 grade point average in education classes is also required for student teaching.
Each student must provide three references from faculty/staff who will agree to recommend him or her for admission to the teacher education program (one recommendation must be from a professor in your major).
Each student must have a copy of the American College Test (ACT) score on file with the Education Department.
Each student who has not received a minimum of 21 on the ACT may be considered for admission to teacher education by achieving a passing score on the following PPST Tests: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Please consult the Education Department for additional information.
Each student must demonstrate oral proficiency by completion of COMM 100 or 115 or 200 with a grade of “C” or above, and by given evidence of good oral language skills in the interviewing process.
Each student must demonstrate written proficiency as evidenced by a grade of “C” or above in English 112 and completion of appropriate Education Department forms (applications, portfolio). Great care should be taken in completing the form for entrance into teacher education. The application must be well written and error-free in order to be approved by the Teacher Education Committee. Students may want to utilize the services of the College Writing Center.
Each student must complete an official curriculum contract with the designated Education Advisor. This contract is completed during an appointment with the advisor. The contract must be in the student’s file in the Education Department before admission will be considered.
Each student must demonstrate satisfactory performance in an interview that includes presentation of the items in the Interview Portfolio.

For other critical factors included in the evaluation of an individual’s application, please refer to the TEACHER EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK.

Professional Semester (Student Teaching)

The professional semester is the culmination of training for students in teacher education. Student teaching, therefore, should not be scheduled until the final semester.

No student who is on probation, has not met the GPA requirement, or has not passed the piano proficiency, will be allowed to register for the professional semester.