Music Education P-12, BMus

Department of Music, College of Fine and Performing Arts

158-164 credits minimum*

Introduction/What is the Study of Music Education P-12?

The Music Education Degree Program is comprised of a comprehensive course of study in basic Music Theory, Music History, Conducting, and Music Education methods courses which lead to K-12 Certification as a Music Specialist.

The Music P-12 major must be accompanied by the Secondary Education Professional Program offered through Woodring College of Education.

Why Consider a Music Education P-12 Major? 

If your goal is to direct a band, orchestra or choir, or to teach general music in a school system in the State of Washington, the Bachelor of Music in Music Education is the degree program for you.
A Music degree from Western Washington University is highly regarded in the profession. Western graduates successful teachers, performers, composers and leaders in all fields of music. The strength of Western’s Department of Music is our forty-member Music faculty, each of whom is deeply committed to serving Music majors in achieving their aspirations.

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Pre-major: Available. Auditioned, approved entering freshmen will be declared as Music pre-majors until such time as the appropriate area faculty members approve the intended degree program. At this time the student may formally declare the intended major.

Admissions: The prerequisite for all Music degrees is the entrance audition on the primary instrument/voice.

Application Deadlines: The audition must be complete prior to the quarter in which the student intends to enroll. The audition deadline for each fall quarter is the end of the previous May. Due to the sequential nature of the music curriculum, midyear applications are not recommended. Students seeking admission to the program other than fall quarter will be required to meet prerequisites in all course sequences (MUS 121/122 through 225/226; 341 through 343; and 351 through 354) as a condition of admission.

*Includes Woodring College Secondary Education Requirements: 54 credits minimum including internship (SEC 410, 411, 425, 431, 495; SEC 301, 302, 310; and SPED 363). The Bachelor of Music Education major must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in secondary education. See the Secondary Education  section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements.

Music education majors should consult Teacher Education Admissions, Miller Hall 150, for information concerning the College of Education professional courses and admission to the Secondary Education program.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C (2.0) or better is required for courses in the secondary education professional program and all courses required for the endorsement.