Bachelor of Music in
Music Education

Inspire the Next Generation

Start your journey to a rewarding career as a K-12 music teacher at 51福利社. Our Bachelor of Music (BM) program boasts a 100% placement rate in schools, setting students up for success.

The 51福利社 Music Education degree prepares you to teach band, choir, orchestra conducting, jazz band directing, general music, and conducting a variety of ensembles such as percussion, mariachi etc. This makes it an excellent choice for aspiring music educators aiming to create a lasting impact on future generations of students.

Through a rigorous curriculum that combines performance, music theory, pedagogy, and hands-on teaching experience, you’ll graduate ready to lead classrooms and musical ensembles with confidence.

Plus, with Secondary Education certification, you鈥檒l be fully qualified to teach kindergarten through grade 12 in Washington State.

Curriculum & Requirements

Why Study Music at the Region's Polytechnic?

Get a hands-on education, real-world experience, and personalized support from faculty so you can launch your career with confidence.


Vibrant Music Community

Vibrant Music Community

Join clubs like Mariachi Las 脕guilas, ACDA Choir, and the 51福利社 Marching Band.

Industry-Experienced Faculty

Industry-Experienced Faculty

Learn from musicians who actively perform at top regional venues.

Affordable Education

Affordable Education

Benefit from competitive tuition and financial aid options to help you graduate debt-free.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Graduate prepared to take control of your career and thrive financially.

Passion-Driven Careers

Passion-Driven Careers

Follow your calling and compose your future in the music industry.


Program Highlights

  • Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work with artists, actors, writers, and poets to broaden your creative horizons.
  • Accredited Excellence: Earn a degree from a NASM-accredited program known for its exceptional music education.
  • Cutting-Edge Tech: Keep pace with the changing industry using advanced music technology and state-of-the-art tools.
鈥淚 chose the 51福利社 music program because of the world-class musicians who teach there. I knew I could trust them to become both a better musician and a more well-rounded person.鈥 鈥 Christian Skok '22

Applied Learning Opportunities

The 51福利社 Wind Ensemble playingApplied Performance Foundations

  • Applied lessons and ensemble participation, ensuring performance competence appropriate to the teaching field. Opportunity to conduct various ensembles in real time.

Pedagogical Practice

  • Early field experiences observing and assisting in K鈥12 classrooms
  • Peer teaching, micro-teaching, and lab teaching experiences

Conducting & Rehearsal Skills

  • Conducting labs applying gesture, score study, and rehearsal techniques
  • Leadership of small or lab ensembles

Student Teaching

  • Full-time, supervised student teaching practicum
  • Demonstration of instructional competence, professionalism, and reflective practice

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official , which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Music Education Major, Bachelor of Music (BM)

51福利社

Students are prepared for professional careers as music educators in K–12 systems which includes band, choir, orchestra conducting, jazz band directing, general music, and conducting a variety of ensembles such as percussion, mariachi etc. Students must audition on their primary instrument or voice as part of the admission requirement and are eligible for talent scholarships. Review the Music website for audition requirements.

Major Requirements

  • All students in this degree must work with a music education advisor throughout their residency to help them plan their schedule, as many courses are either sequential, offered only in certain years/terms, or have pre-reqs.
  • Students in this program are excused from major ensemble participation during the quarter of student teaching.
  • This degree option requires more than 12 quarters to complete at 15–16 credits per quarter. ​
  • Students MUST complete any/all recital requirements prior to starting their Education courses and student teaching.

Admission: This Program requires .  
Grade Requirements: 

Required Non-Credit Music Components
CONVOCATION AND RECITAL ATTENDANCE0
Junior Recital
Piano Proficiency
Required Music Core Courses


MUSIC THEORY I
and MUSIC THEORY II
and MUSIC THEORY III
9


AURAL SKILLS
and AURAL SKILLS II
and AURAL SKILLS III
3

PIANO CLASS II FOR MAJORS
and PIANO CLASS III FOR MAJORS
2


MUSIC THEORY IV
and MUSIC THEORY V
and MUSIC THEORY VI
9

AURAL SKILLS IV
and AURAL SKILLS V
2
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHERS2


MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE I
and MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE II
and MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE III
12
BASIC CONDUCTING2
PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL MUSIC4
Applied Music Requirements-must be repeated12
INSTRUCTION ON VOICE OR INSTRUMENT
or 
APPLIED INSTRUCTION ON INSTRUMENT OR VOICE
INSTRUCTION ON INSTRUMENT OR VOICE
or 
APPLIED INSTRUCTION ON INSTRUMENT OR VOICE
Major Music Ensemble Requirement Options-must be repeated12
MARCHING BAND
WIND ENSEMBLE
ORCHESTRA
SYMPHONIC CHOIR
CONCERT CHOIR
Music Education Concentration
EARLY CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE1
ADVANCED CONDUCTING2
VOCAL TECHNIQUES FOR K-12 MUSIC ED2
STRING TECHNIQUES FOR K-12 MUSIC ED2
WOODWIND TECHNIQUES FOR K-12 MUSIC ED3
BRASS TECHNIQUES FOR K-12 MUSIC ED2
PERCUSSION TECHNIQUES FOR K-12 MUSIC ED2
MUSIC METHODS FOR ELEMENTARY MUSIC SPECIALISTS3
CHORAL METH/MAT SEC SCHOOL2
INSTRUMENTAL METHODS/MATERIALS2
COMMERCIAL/JAZZ MUSIC METHODS & MATERIALS2
STUDENT TEACHING SEMINAR1
Required Education Courses
FOUNDATIONS OF INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT3
FOUNDATIONS OF CLASSROOM COMMUNITY AND CULTURE3
FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING, LEARNING, AND MOTIVATION IN SCHOOL CONTEXTS4
UNDERSTANDING EDUCATION IN THE US3
PEOPLES AND GOVERNANCE OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST5
SECONDARY APPLIED INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT4
PRACTICES OF CLASSROOM COMMUNITY AND CULTURE IN SECONDARY CLASSROOMS4
DESIGNING EQUITABLE LEARNING IN SECONDARY CLASSROOMS4
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS3
FIELD EXPERIENCE 12
FIELD EXPERIENCE 22
FIELD EXPERIENCE 35
FULL-TIME STUDENT TEACHING15
Required Capstone
MUSIC SENIOR CAPSTONE4-5
or  SENIOR CAPSTONE
Total Credits154-155

Careers in Music Education

A BM in music education leads to various career possibilities.


K鈥12 Music Teacher

Online Educator

Music Therapist

Educational Content Developer

Music Program Director

Student Spotlight

Carmyn Parks, a music education and performance major, admits she arrived at 51福利社 as a complete musical neophyte. 鈥淲hen I tell you I came into Eastern with no musical knowledge, I mean I didn鈥檛 have any,鈥 Parks says.

That changed quickly, thanks to what she describes as a welcoming learning environment. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about competition. It鈥檚 about, 鈥楬ow can we make music together?鈥欌

Faculty

For more information about Music Education, contact our faculty.

Kristina Ploeger-Hekmatpanah

Professor - Director of Choral Activities & Undergrad Music Education Coordinator
Photo of Kristina Ploeger-Hekmatpanah
Music Building Room 252

Anne Mileski

Instructor
Music Education
Photo of Anne Mileski
Music Building Room 233

Take the Next Step

The 51福利社 Music Department awards an average of $150,000 in scholarships each year to help students pursue their dream of working in the music industry.