Music Education

Undergraduate Music Education

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree is designed to engage students in rigorous and cutting-edge curriculum. From tactics in teaching music to students with special needs to integrating technology and non-traditional learning methods into music education, the program pushes students to think in new ways as future educators. The program is divided into two concentrations, vocal and instrumental. Both concentrations provide opportunities for students to observe, interact, and instruct K-12 music students in public schools in order to discover paths that speak to them most – be it elementary general, vocal, or instrumental music.

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree (Instrumental and Choral Concentrations) requires 125 credit hours, including a semester of student-teaching internship. The degree is also designed to be completed in four years.

For the past several years, the music education program has had a 100% placement for BM and MM alumni into graduate programs and music teaching positions. The faculty work hard to advocate for our students in finding their first jobs in the music field.

Graduate Music Education

The Master of Music degree in Music Education is designed for licensed elementary, middle, or high school music educators interested in enhancing their abilities to encourage student engagement with music and advancing their music education careers. The program is designed to be completed either full-time on-campus or part-time while teaching school.

Students will work in an academic environment rich in contemporary research and tools to engage in practical and theoretical perspectives relevant to their career aspirations. Through this program, students gain the knowledge, skills, and musicianship needed to become leaders in the field of music education and engage with diverse populations within American schools.

Courses are taught by faculty on the cutting edge of best practices in pedagogy, research, scholarship, and creative activity. Music education faculty members play active leadership roles in the field of PreK-12th grade music instruction. They also regularly publish their work in research and practitioner journals and remain actively engaged with music teachers through presentations, clinics, guest teaching, and conducting.

Graduate assistantships for full-time study may be available, awarded competitively.

In addition to coursework, the University of Arkansas has many opportunities for students to grow as educators. Extra-curricular activities offer community-based learning and partnerships. Music education majors participate in a variety of organizations including: