Music Education, A.A.

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This curriculum has been designed for students who plan to transfer into a Bachelor of Arts degree program with a major in music education. A broad background in music theory, literature, keyboarding skills, aural skills, ensemble performance, and applied music instruction is offered at the community college level to provide a foundation for advanced study in music at a university. Transfer admission in music education is competitive. Students may need to demonstrate their skill level through auditions and/or placement testing at the senior institution. To teach music in the Illinois public schools, teachers must be licensed by the State of Illinois. See the Illinois State Board of Education’s website for details on current licensure options. Students should consult their advisor and an advisor at the university early and often. This will ensure you are taking appropriate courses for the major and licensure requirements. Licensure requirements may change and these professionals will have the most up to date information to ensure you complete appropriate courses.

Suggested Curriculum

I. General Education Core (37-38)

Area A: Communication (9 credits)

ENG 101 Composition I 3 hrs transfer credit - with a grade of C or better
ENG 102 Composition II 3 hrs transfer credit - with a grade of C or better
COMM 101 Principles of Communication 3 hrs transfer credit

Area B: Humanities and Fine Arts (9 credits)

Select three courses from the list for Area B with at least one course from humanities and one from fine arts, including one English course numbered 200 or above. ART 131 , ENG 243 , HUMAN 101 , or PHILO 205 recommended to meet the non-Western Cultures requirement by
some senior institutions.

Area C: Mathematics (3 credits)

Select one math course from the list for Area C .

Area D: Physical and Life Sciences (7-8 credits)

Select one life science course and one physical science course from the list for Area D . One course must have a lab component.

Area E: Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 credits)

Select three courses in at least two different disciplines from the list for Area E . The following courses are recommended to fulfill teacher licensure requirements:

HIST 201 U.S. History: 1492 to 1877 3 hrs transfer credit or
HIST 202 U.S. History: 1877 to Present 3 hrs transfer credit
POLSC 140 Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics 3 hrs transfer credit
PSYCH 101 Introduction to Psychology 3 hrs transfer credit

II. Area of Concentration/Major Field (24-25)

Take one musicianship course each term for a total of 16 credits.

MUSIC 101 Musicianship I 4 hrs transfer credit
MUSIC 102 Musicianship II 4 hrs transfer credit
MUSIC 201 Musicianship III 4 hrs transfer credit
MUSIC 202 Musicianship IV 4 hrs transfer credit

Select from Ensemble Groups I-IV: Take one each term for total of 4 credits.

MUSIC 110 Concert Choir 1 hr transfer credit
MUSIC 120 Wind Ensemble 1 hr transfer credit
MUSIC 152 Jazz Ensemble I 1 hr transfer credit
MUSIC 153 Jazz Ensemble II 1 hr transfer credit
MUSIC 162 Jazz Choir I 1 hr transfer credit
MUSIC 163 Jazz Choir II 1 hr transfer credit

Select from Applied Music Instruction I-IV (Private Music Lessons):

Take one each term for a total of 8 credits.

MUSIC 191 Private Applied Music I 2 hrs transfer credit
MUSIC 192 Private Applied Music II 2 hrs transfer credit
MUSIC 291 Private Applied Music III 2 hrs transfer credit
MUSIC 292 Private Applied Music IV 2 hrs transfer credit

Required A.A. Degree Program Total: 62 credits

Each college and university has its own major requirements and transfer policies. Consult the schools you are considering and a PSC advisor to discuss courses and their transferability.