Bachelor of Music Music with a Major in PreK-12 Vocal Music Education (BM)
Douglas T. Owens, Program Advisor
Students completing the Bachelor of Music, Music Education degree will be recommended for the appropriate license to teach music in the public schools. Majors are available in vocal or instrumental music for grades PreK-12. Music Education graduates that complete the approved teacher education program (including the Teacher Candidate Internship) are eligible for teaching licensure from the Virginia Department of Education, which is reciprocal in multiple states.
The ODU Bachelor of Music, Music Education degree program provides comprehensive preparation for the pre-service music educator. Multiple observation, practicum and internship field experiences allow the student to build upon the superb pedagogical, applied, and ensemble performance foundation required throughout the curriculum.
Contact Dr. Douglas Owens, Music Education Undergraduate Program Advisor, for additional information.
Requirements
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both courses and in ENGL 110C before declaring major
Oral Communication requirement is satisfied in the major
Human Creativity cannot be met by MUSC 126A or MUSC 264A
Impact of Technology requirement is satisfied in the major with MUSC 335T
Upper-Division General Education
Satisfied through the professional education sequence.
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include completion of ENGL 110C , ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C , and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better; completion of the Senior Assessment; a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA in the major area and in the professional education core with no grade less than a C- in the major/content and the professional education core; successful completion of the Teacher Candidate Internship, and a minimum of 126-132 credit hours, which must include both a minimum of 32-34 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
Licensure requirements also include certificate of completion in First Aid/AED/CPR, Dyslexia Awareness Training, Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Intervention Training, and Regulations Governing the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Elementary and Secondary Schools, and Cultural Competence Training.
Due to changing University requirements, national accreditation standards, and the Virginia Board of Education licensure regulations, the teacher education programs in the College of Arts and Letters are under constant revision. Any changes resulting from these factors supersede the program requirements described in this Catalog. Students are encouraged to obtain current program information from their advisors and from the Office of Clinical Experiences website at https://www.odu.edu/oce.
Departmental Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 221 | Music Theory (I) * | 3 |
| MUSC 222 | Music Theory (II) * | 3 |
| MUSC 223 | Ear Training, Sight Singing and Dictation * | 1 |
| MUSC 224 | Ear Training, Sight Singing and Dictation * | 1 |
| MUSC 261 | Music Literature Survey (I) ** | 1 |
| MUSC 262 | Music Literature Survey (II) ** | 1 |
| MUSC 309 | Principles of Conducting | 1 |
| MUSC 321 | Advanced Theory (I) * | 2 |
| MUSC 322 | Advanced Theory (II) ** | 2 |
| MUSC 323 | Advanced Ear Training, Sight Singing and Dictation * | 1 |
| MUSC 324 | Advanced Ear Training, Sight Singing and Dictation ** | 1 |
| MUSC 335T | Music Technology Survey (satisfies impact of technology requirement) | 3 |
| MUSC 361 | History of Music ** | 3 |
| MUSC 362W | History of Music * | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 26 | |
- *
Students must earn a grade of C or better in these courses to advance to the next level.
- **
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in these courses.
All other Music courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher.
Professional Education Core
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 300 | Foundations of Music Education | 3 |
| MUSC 401 | Music Education: Elementary Vocal and General Methods | 2 |
| MUSC 402 | Music Education: Practicum (Elementary Vocal and General) | 1 |
| MUSC 403 | Music Education: Secondary Vocal Methods | 2 |
| MUSC 404 | Music Education: Practicum (Secondary Vocal) * | 1 |
| SPED 313 | Fundamentals of Human Growth and Development: Birth through Adolescence | 3 |
| SPED 400 | Foundations of Special Education: Legal Aspects and Characteristics | 3 |
| TLED 360 | Classroom Management and Discipline | 2 |
| TLED 408 | Reading and Writing in Content Areas | 3 |
| TLED 485 | Teacher Candidate Internship | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
- *
A minimum passing score of 160 or above on the Praxis Music Content Knowledge test #5113 is required for MUSC 404
PreK-12 Vocal Music Education Major
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 35-41 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (met in the major through the professional education coursework) | ||
| Departmental Requirements | ||
| Complete departmental requirements | 26 | |
| Professional Core | ||
| Complete professional core | 32 | |
| PreK-12 Vocal Music Education Major | ||
| MUSC 101 | Beginning Piano Class (I) | 1 |
| MUSC 102 | Beginning Piano Class (II) | 1 |
| MUSC 130 | Functional Piano Skills | 1 |
| Upon completion of MUSC 130, students will take the Piano Barrier Exam. | ||
| MUSE 141 | Music Education Applied Piano Lesson | 2 |
| MUSC 345 | Diction for Singers (I) | 1 |
| MUSC 346 | Diction for Singers (II) | 1 |
| MUSC 409 | Music Education: Instrumental Techniques | 1 |
| MUSC 413 | Advanced Choral Conducting | 2 |
| MUSC 425 | Vocal Arranging (if not offered, MUSC 424 or MUSC 426 can be substituted) | 2 |
| Applied Music Requirement - MUSA 141-441* | 14 | |
| Ensemble Requirement | ||
| Concert Choir (five semesters) | 5 | |
| Small Vocal Ensemble (two semesters)** | 2 | |
| Vocal/Choral Proficiency exam required after passing MUSC 403 | ||
| Recital Attendance Credit required *** | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 126-132 | |
- *
Fourteen credit hours of the primary performance area, at least two of which must be at the 400-level, are required. Successful completion of a half-hour recital.
- **
Guitarists may choose guitar ensembles in lieu of small vocal ensemble.
- ***
All Bachelor of Music, Music Education majors are required to enroll in and pass MUSC 311+, the zero credit Recital Attendance class, for a total of six semesters in order to be eligible for graduation. Refer to the MUSC 311+ syllabus and the Music Student Handbook for complete information.
Guitar Interest Area
Students that study guitar must complete the following courses in addition to the Vocal Music Education departmental requirements and professional education core.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 101 | Beginning Piano Class | 1 |
| MUSC 102 | Beginning Piano Class | 1 |
| MUSC 130 | Functional Piano Skills | 1 |
| Upon completion of MUSC 130, students will take the Piano Barrier Exam | ||
| MUSE 141 | Music Education Applied Piano Lesson | 2 |
| MUSC 107 | Beginning Voice Class (I) | 1 |
| MUSA 139 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 140 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 239 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 240 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 240 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSC 345 | Diction for Singers (I) | 1 |
| MUSC 346 | Diction for Singers (II) | 1 |
| MUSC 409 | Music Education: Instrumental Techniques | 1 |
| MUSC 413 | Advanced Choral Conducting | 2 |
| MUSC 425 | Vocal Arranging (if not offered, MUSC 424 or MUSC 426 can be substituted) | 2 |
| Applied Music Requirement - MUSA 141-441 * | 14 | |
| Ensemble | ||
| Concert Choir (five semesters) | 5 | |
| Small Vocal Ensemble (2 semesters) ** | 2 | |
| Vocal/Choral Proficiency exam required after passing MUSC 403 | ||
| Recital Attendance Credit required*** | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 39 | |
- *
Fourteen credit hours of the primary performance area, at least two of which must be at the 400-level, are required. Successful completion of a half-hour recital.
- **
Guitarists may choose guitar ensembles in lieu of small vocal ensemble.
- ***
All Bachelor of Music, Music Education majors are required to enroll in and pass MUSC 311+, the zero credit Recital Attendance class, for a total of six semesters in order to be eligible for graduation. Refer to the MUSC 311+ syllabus and the Music Student Handbook for complete information.
Keyboard Interest Area
Students that study keyboard must complete the following courses in addition to the Vocal Music Education departmental requirements and professional education core.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 130 | Functional Piano Skills | 1 |
| Upon completion of MUSC 130, students will take the Piano Barrier Exam. | ||
| MUSC 107 | Beginning Voice Class | 1 |
| MUSA 139 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 140 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 239 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 240 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 240 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSC 345 | Diction for Singers (I) | 1 |
| MUSC 346 | Diction for Singers (II) | 1 |
| MUSC 409 | Music Education: Instrumental Techniques | 1 |
| MUSC 413 | Advanced Choral Conducting | 2 |
| MUSC 425 | Vocal Arranging (if not offered, MUSC 424 or MUSC 426 can be substituted) | 2 |
| Applied Music Requirement - MUSA 141-441 * | 14 | |
| Ensemble | ||
| Concert Choir (five semesters) | 5 | |
| Small Vocal Ensemble (2 semesters) ** | 2 | |
| Vocal/Choral Proficiency exam required after passing MUSC 403 | ||
| Recital Attendance Credit required*** | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 35 | |
- *
Fourteen credit hours of the primary performance area, at least two of which must be at the 400-level, are required. Successful completion of a half-hour recital.
- **
Guitarists may choose guitar ensembles in lieu of small vocal ensemble.
- ***
All Bachelor of Music, Music Education majors are required to enroll in and pass MUSC 311+, the zero credit Recital Attendance class, for a total of six semesters in order to be eligible for graduation. Refer to the MUSC 311+ syllabus and the Music Student Handbook for complete information.
Dual Certification–Fifth Year Program
It is possible to receive dual certification (in both instrumental and vocal music education) by completing an additional year of study. The additional course requirements are listed below. The student teaching experience in this program will be a half semester of vocal teaching and a half semester of instrumental teaching. Students interested in dual certification should be advised by the Diehn School of Music music education specialist as early in their degree program as possible.
Instrumental
For those students who have started the Instrumental Music Education program (as described in the catalog) and need to add the vocal component of the five-year Dual Certification program, the following additional courses are required:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 130 | Functional Piano Skills | 1 |
| Upon the completion of MUSC 130, students will take the Piano Barrier Exam. | ||
| MUSE 141 | Music Education Applied Piano Lesson | 2 |
| MUSA 139 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 140 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 239 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 240 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSA 240 | Half-Hour Lesson (Voice) | 1 |
| MUSC 381+ | Concert Choir | 1 |
| MUSC 403 | Music Education: Secondary Vocal Methods | 2 |
| Vocal/Choral Proficiency exam required after passing MUSC 403 | ||
| MUSC 404 | Music Education: Practicum (Secondary Vocal) | 1 |
| MUSC 413 | Advanced Choral Conducting | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 14 | |
Vocal
For those students who have started the Vocal Music Education program (as described in the catalog) and need to add the instrumental component of the five-year Dual Certification program, the following additional courses are required:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 301 | Music Education: High Brass Class | 1 |
| MUSC 302 | Music Education: Low Brass Class | 1 |
| MUSC 303 | Music Education: Clarinet Class | 1 |
| MUSC 304 | Music Education: Woodwind Class | 1 |
| MUSC 305 | Music Education: Upper Strings Class | 1 |
| MUSC 306 | Music Education: Lower Strings Class | 1 |
| MUSC 307 | Music Education: Percussion Class I | 1 |
| MUSC 310 | Music Education: Percussion Class II | 1 |
| MUSC 407 | Music Education: Secondary Instrumental Methods | 2 |
| MUSC 408 | Music Education: Practicum (Secondary Instrumental) | 1 |
| MUSC 414 | Advanced Instrumental Conducting | 2 |
| MUSC 380 | Symphony Band | 1 |
| or | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| or | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 14 | |
Additional Requirements and Information
License in Music Education
Admission
All students must apply for and be admitted into the approved music education program. Students must meet the required criteria for admission by earning the minimum required grade point averages (GPA).
Prescribed Virginia Board of Education Assessment for Admission to an Approved Teacher Education Program
Old Dominion University students seeking admission to an approved teacher education program must satisfy the Virginia Board of Education required assessment for admission into an approved teacher education program. The requirement can be satisfied by meeting a passing score in the following:
- Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA): scaled passing score of 235 for the reading subtest and score of 235 for the writing subtest or a composite score of 470 for the assessment.
For the most current information on the prescribed Virginia Board of Education admission assessment, visit the Office of Clinical Experiences website, https://www.odu.edu/oce and review the Professional Education Handbook.
Required grade point averages (GPA)
- A cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required.
- A major/content GPA of 2.75 is required – A grade of C or better is required in MUSC 362W. All other Music courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher.
- A professional education GPA of 2.75 is required – All professional education courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher.
Although students may enroll in a limited number of education courses, students must be admitted into the approved music education program prior to enrolling in any instructional strategies practicum education course. Students must also meet with an education advisor in the Office of Clinical Experiences.
Continuance
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75, a major/content GPA of 2.75 and a professional education GPA of 2.75. A grade of C or better is required in MUSC 362W; all other music courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher. The remaining courses required for the major and in the professional education core must be completed with a grade of C- or higher for continuance. A professional education GPA of 2.75 is required for continuance. Students must take and pass the PRAXIS Subject Assessment, music content knowledge examination (formerly Praxis II), test code 5113, prior to or while enrolled in the secondary music education practicum course. All assessments must be passed prior to the start of the Teacher Candidate Internship Orientation session.
Background Clearance Requirement
Old Dominion University requires a background clearance check of candidates interested in many of the professional education programs. Professional education programs have several field experiences that are required for continuance and graduation from the program. The background clearance must be successfully completed prior to a field experience placement (MUSC 300, MUSC 402, MUSC 404, and MUSC 408). Candidates will be provided a field experience placement when the background check process is completed with resolution of any issues. The process to complete the ODU clearance background check is located at https://odu.edu/oce/placement/background-checks. The ODU clearance process includes: an FBI fingerprint, a child protective service/social service review, and a Virginia State Police sex offender registry review. Candidates interested in the professional education programs are advised to complete this clearance process immediately upon entry into the program since the clearance process takes a minimum of eight weeks to complete.
Virginia Board of Education Prescribed Assessments for Licensure
- Praxis Subject Assessment, Music Content Knowledge (formerly Praxis II) (test code 5113) – a minimum passing score of 160 or above is required for MUSC 404 or MUSC 408
To review more information on the Virginia Board of Education prescribed assessments, visit the Office of Clinical Experiences website, https://www.odu.edu/oce.
Ensemble Options for Bachelor of Music and Music BA Majors
Each degree program has specific ensemble requirements, which are listed under the course requirements above.
For the purposes of fulfilling large ensemble requirements, students may use only symphony band, wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, guitar ensemble, or concert choir.
For the purposes of fulfilling small ensemble requirements, students may use Madrigal Singers, Collegium Musicum, Opera Workshop, Brass Choir, Clarinet Choir, Flute Choir, Jazz Choir, Jazz Orchestra, and Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, Guitar, String, or Piano ensembles. Small ensemble offerings are updated on occasion; check the class schedule for the latest ensemble availability.
Numerous other ensembles are offered for credit, including tuba-euphonium ensemble, Athletic Bands, Jazz Combo, Woodwind Quintet, Brass Quintet, String Quartet, Saxophone Quartet, Barbershop Quartet, Beauty Shop Quartet, and other vocal chamber ensembles.
These ensembles are arranged when instrumentation allows, and each group is coached by a faculty member. Students should be aware of the necessity for ensemble diversity, and are encouraged to participate in as many different ensembles as their schedules and advisors will allow.
Applied Lesson Continuance Policy
If a student fails two semesters of applied lessons, he or she will be required to re-audition for applied lesson placement and may be advised to choose another degree program that does not require applied lessons. If a student has five or more unexcused absences in one semester, he or she will fail applied music for that semester. An audition is required to re-enter applied music after an absence of two consecutive semesters or more.
Jury Examinations
Applied music students taking hour lessons at the MUSA 142 level or higher must play a jury examination each semester. Failure to perform a required jury will result in a final applied grade of F. The jury grade counts as 50% of the final applied grade. The remaining 50% is based on progress in lessons and is determined by the student's teacher. Students auditing Applied Music take juries in the first semester in which they are enrolled for credit. Audit status is normally allowed for one semester only and is granted on the auditioning committee's recommendation that the student will likely be ready for credit study after one semester of audit study. A student with audit status will audition for credit study during the jury examination period at the close of the audit semester.
Accompanying
All keyboard students are expected to accompany at least once a semester on a General Student Recital, Performance Session, or Applied Music Jury Examination after they have attained the Applied Music numbering of 241 and above or 251 and above, and after they have studied keyboard at Old Dominion University for a minimum of one semester.
The voice concentration requires passage of a vocal/choral proficiency examination and a piano barrier examination before a student is eligible for Teacher Candidate Internship.
Degree Program Guide*
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MUSA 141 | Hour Lesson | 2 |
| MUSC 101 | Beginning Piano Class | 1 |
| MUSC 221 | Music Theory (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| MUSC 223 | Ear Training, Sight Singing and Dictation (Grade of C or better required) | 1 |
| MUSC 261 | Music Literature Survey (Grade of C- or better required) | 1 |
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| MUSC 345 | Diction for Singers | 1 |
| MUSC 381+ | Concert Choir | 1 |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Mathematical Skills | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSA 142 | Hour Lesson | 2 |
| MUSC 102 | Beginning Piano Class | 1 |
| MUSC 222 | Music Theory (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| MUSC 224 | Ear Training, Sight Singing and Dictation (Grade of C or better required) | 1 |
| MUSC 262 | Music Literature Survey (Grade of C- or better required) | 1 |
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| MUSC 346 | Diction for Singers | 1 |
| MUSC 381+ | Concert Choir | 1 |
| ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUSA 241 | Hour Lesson | 2 |
| MUSC 130 | Functional Piano Skills | 1 |
| MUSC 300 | Foundations of Music Education | 3 |
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| MUSC 321 | Advanced Theory (Grade of C or better required) | 2 |
| MUSC 323 | Advanced Ear Training, Sight Singing and Dictation (Grade of C or better required) | 1 |
| MUSC 361 | History of Music (Grade of C- or better required) | 3 |
| MUSC 381+ | Concert Choir | 1 |
| Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSE 141 | Music Education Applied Piano Lesson | 2 |
| MUSA 242 | Hour Lesson | 2 |
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| MUSC 322 | Advanced Theory (Grade of C- or better required) | 2 |
| MUSC 324 | Advanced Ear Training, Sight Singing and Dictation (Grade of C- or better required) | 1 |
| MUSC 362W | History of Music (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| MUSC 381+ | Concert Choir | 1 |
| SPED 313 | Fundamentals of Human Growth and Development: Birth through Adolescence | 3 |
| Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUSA 341 | Hour Lesson | 2 |
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| MUSC 335T | Music Technology Survey (Satisfies Impact of Technology) | 3 |
| MUSC 381+ | Concert Choir | 1 |
| MUSC 401 | Music Education: Elementary Vocal and General Methods | 2 |
| MUSC 402 | Music Education: Practicum (Elementary Vocal and General) | 1 |
| MUSC 409 | Music Education: Instrumental Techniques | 1 |
| MUSC 425 | Vocal Arranging | 2 |
| TLED 360 | Classroom Management and Discipline | 2 |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSA 342 | Hour Lesson | 2 |
| MUSC 309 | Principles of Conducting | 1 |
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Small Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUSC 403 | Music Education: Secondary Vocal Methods | 2 |
| MUSC 404 | Music Education: Practicum (Secondary Vocal) | 1 |
| SPED 400 | Foundations of Special Education: Legal Aspects and Characteristics | 3 |
| TLED 408 | Reading and Writing in Content Areas | 3 |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUSA 441 | Hour Lesson (Recital semester) | 2 |
| Recital | 0 | |
| Small Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUSC 413 | Advanced Choral Conducting | 2 |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Creativity (May not use MUSC 264A or MUSC 126A | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| TLED 485 | Teacher Candidate Internship | 12 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 126 | |
*Language and Culture requirement (0-6 credits) is not included in this degree program guide. Please see the requirements section for details.