The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2024-2025 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
The Music Education curriculum is designed specifically for musicians who wish to be certified to teach music in the public schools.
The student qualifies for ensemble/general classroom music teaching in the public schools upon completion of the degree requirements. The student at the same time achieves specialization in one of two areas: choral/general music, or instrument/general music.
Degree program requirements vary depending upon the area of specialization. Completion of the program leading to the Bachelor of Music Education degree qualifies the candidate for a State of Iowa Teaching Certificate. Applicants who qualify for certificates in other states are recommended for those certificates by the School of Education.
Candidates for this degree must complete a total of 124-130 credits: 18 credits in applied music, 19 credits in music theory, 12 credits in music history-literature, 13-15 credits of music education and methods courses, 28 credits of professional education and 7 credits of ensemble, plus the Drake Curriculum. Prior to student teaching, all candidates will have completed one semester of a small ensemble experience during their years at Drake.
By the end of the sophomore year, music education students must have completed EDUC 103, 108, and SPED 120. Prospective teachers must pass the Praxis I exam, known as the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) in order to apply for entrance into the Teacher Education Program. Scores should be sent electronically to the School of Education. In addition, the candidate's G.P.A. must be 2.5 or higher to be admitted into the Teacher Education Program. A Sophomore Checkpoint will be completed with Professor of Music Education. A piano proficiency exam is administered at the end of this semester. Four semesters of some piano experience is required of all BME majors.
Instrumental Methods Courses: These are methods and materials courses for instrumental/general music education majors. The goal of these courses is to introduce instrumental music education majors to the instruments and the appropriate pedagogy necessary for successful teaching. Five or six are to be selected from the following options:
MUS 061 - String Methods and Materials
MUS 065 - High Brass Methods and Materials
MUS 066 - Low Brass Methods and Materials
MUS 067 - Single Reed and Flute Methods and Materials
MUS 068 - Double Reed Methods and Materials
MUS 071 - Percussion Methods and Materials
Areas of Inquiry can be fulfilled in various configurations. Consult with your advisor to select those that fit your personal curriculum and time schedules so as to not conflict with methods courses necessary for your B.M.E. degree.
Observation Hours: 70 hours are earned in EDUC courses, plus another 18-20 in MUS ED courses (88-90 hours total). Plan to obtain another 8 hours on your own during summer or winter breaks. Observation hours in your hometown can be used if you document them with signatures of the licensed teachers you observe. All observation forms (with signatures) should be copied to the music education professor.
| Course | Credits |
| EDUC 103 - Foundations in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 108 - Student Development and Learning Theory | 3 |
| EDUC 109 - Educational Technology | 3 |
| EDUC 142 - Teaching Disciplinary Literature | 3 |
| EDUC 163 - Seminar for Student Teaching | 1 |
| EDUC 166 - Student Teaching Elementary | 5 |
| EDUC 168 - Student Teaching Secondary | 2-11 |
| EDUC 169 - E-Portfolio for Student Teachers | 1 |
| MUS 001 - Materials of Music I | 3 |
| MUS 002 - Materials of Music I | 1 |
| MUS 003 - Materials of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 004 - Materials of Music II | 1 |
| MUS 006 - Piano Laboratory I (or equivalent private lessons in MUS 170) | 1 |
| MUS 007 - Piano Laboratory II (or equivalent private lessons in MUS 170) | 1 |
| MUS 013 - Introduction to Music Education | 1 |
| MUS 021 - Recitals | 7 semesters |
| MUS 049 - Piano Laboratory III (or equivalent private lessons in MUS 170) | 1 |
| MUS 050 - Piano Laboratory IV (or equivalent private lessons in MUS 170) | 1 |
| MUS 051 - Materials of Music III | 3 |
| MUS 052 - Materials of Music III | 1 |
| MUS 053 - Materials of Music IV | 3 |
| MUS 054 - Materials of Music IV | 1 |
| MUS 075 - Diction for Singers I | 2 |
| MUS 076 - Diction for Singers II | 2 |
| MUS 081 - World Music | 3 |
| MUS 085 - Music History I | 3 |
| MUS 095 - Music History II | 3 |
| MUS 105 - Music History III | 3 |
| MUS 107 - Analysis of Post-Tonal Music | 3 |
| Ensemble - Select from the following, depending on candidate's chosen path. A minimum of 8 credits is required. | |
| MUS 148 - Band | 1 |
| MUS 149 - Choir | 1 |
| MUS 150 - Orchestra | 1 |
| MUS 154 - Vocal Pedagogy, or EDUC 164 - Perspectives on Race, Ethnicity, and Gender |
2 3 |
| MUS 155 - Tech Jazz/Show Choir | 2 |
| MUS 156 - General Music Education in Elementary/Secondary Schools | 3 |
| MUS 158 - Vocal Music Education in Elementary/Secondary Schools | 3 |
| MUS 162 - Planning and Assessment Music Education | 2 |
| MUS 163 - Choral Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 164 - Survey of Orchestra Instruments for Vocal Education | 1 |
| MUS 166 - Advanced Choral Conducting | 2 |
| Applied Instrument - Select from the following, depending on candidate's chosen path. A minimum of 16 credits, all from the same instrument/voice, is required. | |
| MUS 170 - Piano | 1-6 |
| MUS 171 - Voice | 1-6 |
| MUS 172 - Organ | 1-6 |
| MUS 173 - Violin | 1-6 |
| MUS 174 - Cello | 1-6 |
| MUS 175 - Trumpet | 1-6 |
| MUS 176 - Flute | 1-6 |
| MUS 177 - Percussion | 1-6 |
| MUS 178 - Clarinet | 1-6 |
| MUS 179 - Oboe | 1-6 |
| MUS 180 - Harpsichord | 1-6 |
| MUS 182 - Viola | 1-6 |
| MUS 185 - Bassoon | 1-6 |
| MUS 186 - Saxophone | 1-6 |
| MUS 187 - French Horn | 1-6 |
| MUS 188 - Trombone | 1-6 |
| MUS 189 - Euphonium | 1-6 |
| MUS 190 - Harp | 1-6 |
| MUS 191 - Tuba | 1-6 |
| MUS 193 - String Bass | 1-6 |
| MUS 194 - Classical Guitar | 1-6 |
| SPED 120 - Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| TOTAL |
| Course | Credits |
| EDUC 103 - Foundations in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 108 - Student Development and Learning Theory | 3 |
| EDUC 109 - Educational Technology | 3 |
| EDUC 142 - Teaching Disciplinary Literature | 3 |
| EDUC 163 - Seminar for Student Teaching | 1 |
| EDUC 164 - Perspectives on Race, Ethnicity, and Gender | 3 |
| EDUC 166 - Student Teaching Elementary | 5 |
| EDUC 168 - Student Teaching Secondary | 2-11 |
| EDUC 169 - E-Portfolio for Student Teachers | 1 |
| MUS 001 - Materials of Music I | 3 |
| MUS 002 - Materials of Music I | 1 |
| MUS 003 - Materials of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 004 - Materials of Music II | 1 |
| MUS 006 - Piano Laboratory I (or equivalent private lessons in MUS 170) | 1 |
| MUS 007 - Piano Laboratory II (or equivalent private lessons in MUS 170) | 1 |
| MUS 013 - Introduction to Music Education | 1 |
| MUS 021 - Recitals | 7 semesters |
| MUS 049 - Piano Laboratory III (or equivalent private lessons in MUS 170) | 1 |
| MUS 050 - Piano Laboratory IV (or equivalent private lessons in MUS 170) | 1 |
| MUS 051 - Materials of Music III | 3 |
| MUS 052 - Materials of Music III | 1 |
| MUS 053 - Materials of Music IV | 3 |
| MUS 054 - Materials of Music IV | 1 |
| Instrumental Methods and Courses - Select 5-6 credits from the following | |
| MUS 061 - String Methods and Materials | 1 |
| MUS 062 - Vocal Methods and Materials | 1 |
| MUS 065 - High Brass Methods and Materials | 1 |
| MUS 066 - Low Brass Methods and Materials | 1 |
| MUS 067 - Single Reed and Flute Methods and Materials | 1 |
| MUS 068 - Double Reed Methods and Materials | 1 |
| MUS 071 - Percussion Methods and Materials | 1 |
| MUS 081 - World Music | 3 |
| MUS 085 - Music History I | 3 |
| MUS 095 - Music History II | 3 |
| MUS 105 - Music History III | 3 |
| MUS 107 - Analysis of Post-Tonal Music | 3 |
| Ensemble - Select from the following, depending on candidate's chosen path. A minimum of 8 credits is required. | |
| MUS 148 - Band | 1 |
| MUS 150 - Orchestra | 1 |
| MUS 134 - Marching Band Techniques | 2 |
| MUS 146 - Techniques in Jazz Performance | 2 |
| MUS 151 - Instrumental Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 152 – Advanced Instrumental Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 156 - Elementary Vocal-General Music Education (K-6) | 3 |
| MUS 159 - Instrument Performance in Elementary and Secondary Schools | 3 |
| MUS 162 - Planning and Assessment Music Education | 2 |
| Applied Instrument - Select from the following, depending on candidate's chosen path. A minimum of 16 credits, all from the same instrument/voice, is required. | |
| MUS 170 - Piano | 1-6 |
| MUS 171 - Voice | 1-6 |
| MUS 172 - Organ | 1-6 |
| MUS 173 - Violin | 1-6 |
| MUS 174 - Cello | 1-6 |
| MUS 175 - Trumpet | 1-6 |
| MUS 176 - Flute | 1-6 |
| MUS 177 - Percussion | 1-6 |
| MUS 178 - Clarinet | 1-6 |
| MUS 179 - Oboe | 1-6 |
| MUS 180 - Harpsichord | 1-6 |
| MUS 182 - Viola | 1-6 |
| MUS 185 - Bassoon | 1-6 |
| MUS 186 - Saxophone | 1-6 |
| MUS 187 - French Horn | 1-6 |
| MUS 188 - Trombone | 1-6 |
| MUS 189 - Euphonium | 1-6 |
| MUS 190 - Harp | 1-6 |
| MUS 191 - Tuba | 1-6 |
| MUS 193 - String Bass | 1-6 |
| MUS 194 - Classical Guitar | 1-6 |
| SPED 120 - Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| TOTAL |
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.