Music Education

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The Music Education Program

Welcome

The activities of the Music Education program are designed to support the mission of the Department of Music, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Education, and the mission of the University in general, by insuring that its graduates successfully meet the standards for effective teaching as prescribed by the Nevada Department of Education and the National Association of Music Educators. This is accomplished by providing learning experiences incorporating classroom, laboratory, workshop, seminar, and field/practicum formats, which are designed to achieve the educational objectives.

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education at UNLV has two very specific objectives:

  • To help the student become an effective teacher in the music classroom through the acquisition of a basic traditional and contemporary knowledge, practical teaching techniques, and the opportunity to observe and work under successful members of the music teaching profession; and
  • To help the student become eligible for licensing to teach music in a public school.

Graduates from the UNLV Music Education program complete a course of study that fulfills the requirements to apply for a K-12 specialist (music education) teaching license for the State of Nevada.  For more information on the undergraduate program, click here.

Important Information for Entering Freshmen and Transfer Students

If you have received a Department of Music scholarship, you may be required to register for more than 1 major ensemble.  Be certain to contact the Department of Music Office at 702 895-3332 for your specific audition requirements. In general, the audition requirements for all ensembles are the performance of two works of contrasting styles (selected by the auditionee) and all major scales.

You are also required to take the Music Theory Placement examination. These will be administered over the summer and before classes begin for the semester. Be sure to refer to the Music Department website or call 704-895-3332 for specific days and times.

Important Information for Graduate Students

The UNLV Department of Music offers Master of Music in Music Education and Master of Music in Music Education – Orff Schulwerk Option degrees to experienced music educators.  For more information on graduate programs, click here.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE MUSIC EDUCATOR

UNLV offers courses and summer programs for all music educators seeking professional development credits.  These include:

Orff Schulwerk Level Certification
Registration for Summer Orff Program
Distance Education Courses
Master and Doctoral Programs

DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES AVAILABLE

The Music Education program now offers graduate professional development and degree program courses for individuals restricted by time and place are offered through University of Nevada, Las Vegas Distance Education.

The following list of courses is currently available.  More will be added each semester.

  • MUS 752- 210/290 Foundations and Principles of Music
  • MUS 751 210/290 Studies in Music Curricula,
  • MUS 771 210/290 Research in Music Education, and
  • MUS 775 210/290 Music for the Exceptional Child.

All courses may be taken on a degree or non-degree seeking basis and may be transferred to your degree program at the institution where you are currently enrolled.

Refer to the graduate course rotation schedule to see the classes planned for next semester.

How to Register

Degree seeking students (Masters of Music in Music Education) may register for Distance Education courses through the normal online registration process.

In order to register for Distance Education courses, new non-admitted and non-enrolled undergraduate and graduate students must first fill out a Non-Admitted Student Information Form, which allows you to use UNLV's registration system. Nevada residents must also fill out a residency form.  Complete admission information may be found at http://www.unlv.edu/admissions/index.html.

Once you have filled out the form and finished self-registration, go to http://d2.parature.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=4314 to learn about WebCampus. You may call (702) 895-0761, if you have questions about the WebCampus process or need assistance with your WebCampus Login ID and password.

Undergraduate Music Education
           
Music education study begins in the first semester of enrollment. Entering students study with applied faculty on their major instrument or voice, perform in a variety of ensembles, and begin courses in music theory, aural skills, music history, and piano. 

In the second year, students begin to participate in professional development courses in music education that include extensive field experiences in the schools.  Formal application to the teacher certification program takes place the second week of May and should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. Admission to the teacher certification program is based on students’ demonstration of knowledge and skills in performance on a principal instrument or voice, keyboard, course grades achieved in music history, theory, sight-singing, and conducting, and all proficiency exams.

The culminating experience in music education preparation is student teaching.  Each student is placed in a full-time supervised classroom experience, supervised by a certified and experienced teacher.  The primary objective is to provide opportunity for demonstration and further development of instructional competence.

The Music Education Handbook provides important information and policies on the Music Education course of study here at UNLV.

Specific information about course work and degree may be found by following the links:

Bachelor of Music in Music Education – Instrumental
Bachelor of Music in Music Education – Vocal
Bachelor of Music in Music Education – Piano

Please note that not all classes are offered every semester.  The undergraduate course rotation will help in the planning process.

Graduate Music Education

The UNLV Department of Music offers Master of Music in Music Education and Master of Music in Music Education – Orff Schulwerk Option degrees to experienced music educators.  These degrees are designed to address the professional development needs of music teachers in the field and to prepare for careers as master teachers and supervisors in elementary and secondary schools.  Students are challenged to develop a greater understanding and mastery of the music teaching-learning process, to improve personal musicianship, and to become leaders within the music education profession. 

While prior teaching experience is not a requirement for entrance into this degree program, individuals considering pursuit of the M.M.M.E. are urged to plan to teach one to three years prior to initial enrollment or before completing the degree.  Graduate study is more meaningful if teaching experience in the field has first been gained. 

In coordination with the College of Education, the Department of Music offers the Master of Education with Licensure program (GLP) (M.Ed. + Lic.) for Instrumental and Vocal/General emphasis, the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (C & I), and the Ph.D. in Curriculum Instruction (C & I) degrees. 

The Master of Education with Licensure (instrumental or vocal) is designed for students who have completed undergraduate or graduate degrees in field of music other than music education  and wish to complete the requirements for Nevada licensure.  Transcripts from prior degrees must be analyzed and an individual curriculum plan is developed with the Department of C&I GLP Coordinator and the Department of Music Coordinator in Music Education to meet state requirements. 

The Ed.D. and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction is intended for professional educators who desire to extend and advance their studies and knowledge in the theory and practice of education.  These are parallel degrees housed in the College of Education.  Both are appropriate for those whose professional goals include teaching, either in public schools or at the university level, with a primary interest in teacher education and related fields.  The Ph.D. traditionally includes a greater emphasis on research while the Ed.D. is teacher education oriented. 

The Graduate Music Education Handbook provides you with important information and policies on graduate programs.  Specific information about course work and degrees is found at the following links:

Master of Music in Music Education
Master of Music in Music Education – Orff Emphasis
Master of Education with Licensure (M.Ed.) – Instrumental
Master of Education with Licensure (M.Ed.) – Vocal/General
Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs through the School of Education

Refer to the Graduate course rotation schedule to see what courses will be offered each semester!

Music Education Faculty

UNLV Music Education Faculty and Advisors are available to counsel, advise and help you develop a plan for each upcoming semester.  Faculty members are available by appointment to counsel and advise you.

Dr. Eugenie Burkett, Coordinator (x1206)
Prof. Sue Mueller, Music Education - Elementary (x3087)
Prof. Anthony LaBounty, Music Education – Instrumental (x3733)
Prof. Tom Leslie, Music Education – Instrumental (x3734)
Prof. David Weiller, Music Education – Vocal (x3008)
           
Information on other departments may be found at these links:

           UNLV Band Programs
           UNLV Vocal Program
           

Student Teaching

Student Teaching is the culmination of the Music Education curriculum.  It is designed to provide opportunities for practical application of skills and knowledge previously gained in the classes specified in the curriculum.  An experienced and qualified public school Cooperating Teacher enhances this practical experience closely supervising the Student Teacher. An assigned University Supervisor also observes student teachers.

In order to become a student teacher, all students must

  • Be admitted to the Music Education Program;
  • Complete the appropriate degree requirements, including successful completion of the Piano Proficiency;
  • Receive a passing score on the PPST (PRAXIS I) tests;
  • Have an undergraduate degree with overall GPA of 2.75 or higher;
  • Successfully complete Nevada School Law, U.S. Constitution, Nevada Constitution coursework,
  • Be cleared through fingerprinting and a criminal background check; and
  • Complete an application for admission to student teaching.

Completed applications are to be turned into the Coordinator of Music Education by mid-semester, the semester before student teaching is desired. Completion of the application does not register you for student teaching.  You must register through the Registrar’s online registration.

The Office of Field Experience in the College of Education has additional information on student teaching. More information about the student teacher experience can be found through this link: Student Teacher Handbook

Other links to information that may be useful include: