Bachelor of Arts in Music (EC-12 Music Certification, Choral Emphasis)

Website: https://twu.edu/music/undergraduate-programs/ba-in-music-degree-with-an-ec-12-teacher-certification/

Update Effective July 31, 2023: The Bachelor of Arts in Music (EC-12 Music Certification, Choral Emphasis) track has been reclassified as a Bachelor of Music (EC-12 Music Certification, Choral Emphasis) track.


The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with an education minor and teacher certification is designed to prepare music educators to teach all grade levels, EC-12. The curriculum provides a comprehensive musical foundation, along with the training needed to guide students to an appreciation and understanding of music as an art form and cultural phenomenon. Curricular requirements integrate music students with the university general education requirements and a core of professional education courses.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

Degree Skills

  1. Collaboration: work effectively with others toward a common goal​.
  2. Analysis: think and understand in patterns.
  3. Time-management: handle multiple projects simultaneously​.

Teacher Certification Skills

  1. Appropriately explain the impact of effective planning and communication (within the chosen area of concentration) to relevant internal and external stakeholders in an education or community setting.
  2. Identify, select, and implement entry-level instructional plans when serving as an instructor in the school setting.
  3. Successfully manage organizational and student behavior when teaching in the school setting.
  4. Efficiently and accurately assess student progress and use data to develop and modify instruction for K-12 students.
  5. Work effectively and collaboratively with students and families from diverse backgrounds.

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

In addition, applicants must:

  1. Fill out the online TWU Music Audition Application via Acceptd.
  2. A letter of recommendation from your current private teacher or ensemble director will be required for each application. The letter must be received prior to your audition date and must be submitted by the letter writer through the Acceptd platform.
  3. Audition and participate in a placement evaluation.

You also may choose to compete for scholarships that are available to new and transferring music students each year. These are awarded based on musical excellence, as verified through your entrance audition and placement examination, and supported by teacher recommendations.

Please visit the TWU Music Auditions website for audition dates, area-specific audition criteria, and a Step-by-Step Guide to admission into music degree programs.

Teacher Certification

Application Deadlines

There are three application periods per year (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Students must have their applications in by the deadline the semester before they intend to take ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003, EDUC 3482, or READ 4223 (EC-3 only).  (see schedule below).

Spring Application Deadlines*  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Summer)
  • May 1 - Deadline to apply for Summer admission
  • May 31 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement
Summer Application Deadlines  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Fall)
  • July 1 - Deadline to apply for Fall admission
  • July 31 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement
Fall Application Deadlines*  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Spring)
  • December 1 - Deadline to apply for Spring admission
  • December 21 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement

Guidelines

Please adhere to the following guidelines: 

  • We recommend preparing your application well in advance of the deadline. That way you will be able to identify and resolve any potential issues before the deadline date. 
  • If you intend to register early for ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003, EDUC 3482, or READ 4223 (EC-3 only) for the Summer or Fall semesters and have met all admission requirements, it is recommended that you apply to the EPP by December 1.
  • If you apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program while enrolled in EDUC 2003 or are taking coursework to increase your GPA to a 2.75, the Office of Educator Preparation Services will process your application. If the GPA requirement, along with all other admission requirements are met at the end of the semester, an admission decision will be made at that time.
  • No late applications will be accepted. If the deadline date falls on a weekend or a day that TWU is closed, applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on the next day that TWU is open after the deadline day.

Requirements

In addition to the general undergraduate admissions requirements, to obtain acceptance into the undergraduate Educator Preparation Program (and prior to taking ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003EDUC 3482, EDUC 4113EDUC 4243, READ 4223 (EC-3 only), and Clinical Student Teaching) students must have:

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.75 (includes all courses, whether posted to TWU transcript or used on a degree plan. Excludes developmental and repeated courses);
  • Demonstrated basic skills in reading, written communication, and mathematics by meeting the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative;

  • A minimum of 12 to 15 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought;

  • Completed EDUC 2003 with a C or higher;

  • Completed department application for admission to the Educator Preparation Program in Tk20;
  • Completed the Digital Literacy Pre-assessment;

  • Submitted a non-refundable Texas Education Agency Fee;

  • Completed a Commitment Contract acknowledging awareness and understanding of the Professional Dispositions Policy and Educators’ Code of Ethics;

  • Successfully completed a pre-admission departmental interview with an interview panel; and

  • Acknowledged and accepted admission to the Educator Preparation Program.

Please note:

  • All accepted students must maintain the admission requirements to remain in the TWU Education Preparation Program.
  • Admission requirements are determined by Texas Education Agency policies and are subject to change without notice.
  • Students seeking Bilingual certification must meet minimum proficiency in Spanish.
  • Students seeking Deaf/Hard of Hearing certification must meet minimum proficiency in sign.

All admission decisions are based on the successful completion of the above requirements. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation may affect certification. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Texas Education Agency. Any previous or current issues of academic dishonesty, disruptive behavior, or professional dispositions infractions at TWU, another university, or another Educator Preparation Program may result in denial of admission. Any decision may be appealed by contacting the Office of Educator Preparation Services at 940-898-2829.

Contact the Office of Educator Preparation Services (OEPS) at copeadvising@twu.edu or 940-898-2829 with any questions.

Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Requirements

  • Candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator. [19 TAC §227.1(b)(1)]
  • Candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching. [19 TAC §227.1(b)(2)]
  • The potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate. [19 TAC §227.1(d)(1)]
  • The right to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation from TEA. [19 TAC §227.1(d)(3)]

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 134  

Major: 44 SCH;  Required Minor: 26 SCH

Program Code: MUSIC.BA.EDUC-CHORAL;   CIP Code: 50.0901.00

Texas Core Curriculum

ENG 1013Composition I3
ENG 1023Composition II3
Mathematics3
Life & Physical Sciences6
Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
Creative Arts3
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-18653
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government3
POLS 2023Texas Government3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
CAO: Women's Studies3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
Total SCHs42

Courses Required for Major

MU 1021Keyboard Musicianship I1
MU 1031Keyboard Musicianship II1
MU 1521Aural Skills I1
MU 1523Music Theory I3
MU 1531Aural Skills II1
MU 1533Music Theory II3
MU 2521Aural Skills III1
MU 2523Music Theory III3
MU 2531Aural Skills IV1
MU 2533Music Theory IV3
MU 3313Music History I3
MU 3323Music History II3
MU 4502Choral Arranging2
Principal Instrument (4 SCH at 4000 level)12
Music Ensemble (MU 3551 or MU 3591)6
Performance Juries (6 completed)
Barrier Exam
Capstone Performance
Total SCHs44

Music Education

Special Requirement: A grade of "B" or higher for courses to be counted toward the degree.

MU 3542Conducting I2
MU 2202Introduction to Music Education2
MU 2061Keyboard Musicianship III1
MU 3832Elementary Music Content2
MU 3432Secondary Methods and Literature I2
MU 3602Secondary Methods and Literature II2
MU 3601Advanced Conducting1
MU 3492Vocal Pedagogy2
MU 3442English, Italian, and Latin Diction2
MU 3452French and German Diction2
MU 3061Instrumental Techniques and Pedagogy I1
MU 3071Instrumental Techniques and Pedagogy II1
MU 3051Functional Piano I1
MU 4061Functional Piano II1
Elementary Music Proficiency Exam
Choral Music Proficiency Exam
Total SCHs22

Departmental Requirements

MU 2913Music and Cultures3
Total SCHs3

Professional Education Studies

Admission to the Educator Preparation Program is required. Students must apply for admission into the Educator Preparation Program prior to enrolling in EDUC 3003/EDUC 3482EDUC 4113/EDUC 4243, and EDUC 4946. Information is available from the Office of Educator Preparation Services.

Pedagogical and Professional Responsibility
EDUC 2003Schools and Society3
EDUC 3003Learning Theory and Development3
EDUC 3482Teaching Diverse Learners Through Technology Integration2
EDUC 4113Design and Implementation of Instruction and Assessment3
EDUC 4243Classroom Environment and Management3
EDUC 4946Clinical Student Teaching6
Related Studies in Education
READ 3013Literacy and Learning across the Curriculum3
EDSP 3203Learners with Exceptionalities3
Total SCHs26

Notes:

  1. EDUC 2003 may be taken at a community college. Check with the Office of Educator Preparation Services to make sure the course has the equivalent number.
  2. EDUC 4113 and EDUC 4243 must be taken during the same semester.

Recommended Plan of Study

First Year
FallTCCNSCHs
MU 1021Keyboard Musicianship I MUSI 11811
MU 1521Aural Skills I MUSI 11161
MU 1523Music Theory I MUSI 13113
MU 2202Introduction to Music Education 2
Applied Music: Primary Instrument2
Large Ensemble1
UNIV 1231Learning Frameworks: The First Year Experience (Students should enroll in the music major specific section.) EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200, EDUC 13001
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-1865 HIST 13013
 SCHs 14
SpringTCCN
MU 1031Keyboard Musicianship II MUSI 11821
MU 1112Music and Wellness 2
MU 1531Aural Skills II MUSI 11171
MU 1533Music Theory II MUSI 13123
Applied Music: Primary Instrument2
Large Ensemble1
ENG 1013Composition I ENGL 13013
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present HIST 13023
 SCHs 16
Second Year
FallTCCN
MU 2061Keyboard Musicianship III MUSI 21811
MU 2521Aural Skills III MUSI 21161
MU 2523Music Theory III MUSI 23113
MU 3442English, Italian, and Latin Diction 2
MU 3703Women in Music 3
Applied Music: Primary Instrument2
Large Ensemble1
ENG 1023Composition II ENGL 13023
 SCHs 16
SpringTCCN
MU 2531Aural Skills IV MUSI 21171
MU 2533Music Theory IV MUSI 23123
MU 3452French and German Diction 2
MU 2913Music and Cultures MUSI 13073
Applied Music: Primary Instrument2
Large Ensemble1
POLS 2023Texas Government GOVT 23063
Social/Behavioral Science Core3
 SCHs 18
Third Year
FallTCCN
MU 3313Music History I 3
MU 3492Vocal Pedagogy 2
MU 3542Conducting I 2
MU 3432Secondary Methods and Literature I 2
POLS 2013U.S. National Government GOVT 23053
Applied Music: Primary Instrument2
Large Ensemble1
MU 3061Instrumental Techniques and Pedagogy I 1
 SCHs 16
SpringTCCN
MU 3323Music History II 3
MU 3071Instrumental Techniques and Pedagogy II 1
MU 3601Advanced Conducting 1
MU 3602Secondary Methods and Literature II 2
Applied Music: Primary Instrument2
Large Ensemble1
MU 4502Choral Arranging 2
EDUC 2003Schools and Society EDUC 13013
Life/Physical Science Core3
 SCHs 18
Fourth Year
FallTCCN
MU 3051Functional Piano I 1
EDUC 3003Learning Theory and Development 3
EDUC 3482Teaching Diverse Learners Through Technology Integration 2
Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core3
Mathematics Core3
Life/Physical Science Core3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
MU 4061Functional Piano II 1
READ 3013Literacy and Learning across the Curriculum 3
EDUC 4113Design and Implementation of Instruction and Assessment 3
EDUC 4243Classroom Environment and Management 3
EDSP 3203Learners with Exceptionalities 3
MU 3832Elementary Music Content 2
 SCHs 15
Fifth Year
FallTCCN
EDUC 4943Clinical Student Teaching 3
EDUC 4943Clinical Student Teaching 3
 SCHs 6
 Total SCHs:  134