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About The Program

Many of the finest music teachers in Colorado and beyond are graduates of the University of Northern Colorado music education program. Our faculty includes specialists in choral, instrumental, and general music, with extensive experience as public school teachers.

UNC music education students are thoroughly trained in the discipline of music and fully prepared in the art of pedagogy. Our program is dedicated to helping great musicians become great teachers. Come visit us!

  • Undergraduate Study

    Bachelor of Music Education

    Entering students may declare a music education major upon their audition for the School of Music. Coursework for entering music education majors is similar to those for other music majors, with extensive study focused on private instruction, music theory and music history, ensemble performance, and liberal arts classes. Formal admittance to the Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) typically occurs at the end of the sophomore year, after which time additional coursework is pursued (concurrent with continued music study) which focuses on the development of pedagogical skills and understandings. Through coursework and through other opportunities in the School of Music and the College of Education, music education students interact extensively with area public school music teachers and their students. Music education students perform a public recital, typically in their junior or senior year. The program culminates in student teaching: a full-immersion, full-time, semester-long placement in elementary and secondary music programs.

    UNC music education graduates earn their Colorado K-12 music teacher licensure along with their Bachelor of Music Education degree. This license may be honored in other states as well. UNC music graduates are also accepted for graduate study at institutions across the nation, as well as at UNC. 

    LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BACHELOR OF MUSIC EDUCATION (Music Grades K-12)

     Meet the Faculty

  • Master of Music

    Music Education Emphasis

    The Master of Music degree assists the professional K-12 music teacher by developing and enriching musical competencies, professional understandings and skills, and personal qualities that are essential for success in a world and profession characterized by perpetual change. The program's structure allows extensive flexibility in designing an in-depth program based on individual career interests and professional orientation.

    Learn More

    Music Educator's Intensive

    The UNC Music Educator's Intensive is a low residency Master of Music program in a convenient hybrid delivery format. Designed to meet the needs of current teachers, courses are completed online during the academic year and in an intensive six-week summer residency.

    MEI is an academically rigorous program examining the philosophical, theoretical and practical implications in the field of music education. Students will reflect on and assess the challenges that constantly face music educators in classroom, and more broadly, in the country.

    Learn techniques to improve your teaching, gain perspective to strengthen your role in the classroom, district, and profession, and prepare for doctoral-level study with UNC's renowned faculty and guest instructors who are leaders in music education. 

    Learn More

    Meet the Faculty

  • Doctor of Arts

    Music Education Emphasis

    The Doctor of Arts degree in music education emphasizes the philosophy, psychology, and history of music education, as well as research, and prepares the student for assuming collegiate faculty positions in music education and/or leadership positions in public school systems. It includes scholarship and musicianship through study in music history and literature, theory, composition and performance. This degree program places primary emphasis on a comprehensive working knowledge of contemporary music education practices in public school and college music programs and in community and cultural life. Numerous options exist for secondary emphases. The program culminates in the student's completion of a scholarly dissertation.

    Learn More

    Meet the Faculty

  • Beyond the Classroom

    UNC String Project

    The University of Northern Colorado School of Music launched the UNC String Project in the Fall of 2017. This community-partnership program provides young students an opportunity to learn violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Dr. Lindsay Fulcher serves as Director & Master Teacher and UNC string music education students are also teachers.

    Learn More about the UNC String Project

  • Current Education Majors

    PVA Education Page

    Visit the PVA Education Page to learn about PTEP, the PRAXIS exam, enter field hours, and find additional student resources.

    Visit the PVA Education Page

  • Auditions and Scholarships

    Auditions

    In addition to completing the UNC Undergraduate  or Graduate Application, students will be asked to submit more information and audition on a primary instrument in the complete application process. To learn more about the audition process visit the music education auditions page to find audition requirements for each instrument.

    MUSIC EDUCATION AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

    Scholarships

    The College of Performing and Visual Arts awards over $1.8 million in scholarships annually to undergraduate and graduate students in the arts. There are multiple scholarship types offered to students, including talent scholarships and foundation scholarships. To learn more, visit the PVA Scholarship page.

    PVA Scholarships

     

Questions? Get In Touch!

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Application Dates
  • Fall semesterAugust 1*
  • Spring semesterJanuary 1*
  • Summer semesterMay 1*
*Note: Application dates may vary depending on student status. Learn more.

Music Education | School of Music

String Tech Class | UNC Music Education

Music Education | School of Music

String Tech Class | UNC Music Education