Music Education

Graduates of the BME degree program, upon recommendation of the coordinator of music education and the director of student teaching, are certified by the State of Florida Department of Education to teach instrumental, vocal, and general music to grades K-12 in the public schools of Florida.

The Music Education curriculum at Stetson includes courses in the arts and sciences, professional education, music, and music education. Music education majors are required to present a senior recital. Entering first-year and transfer students are required to take MUED 265, Principles and Methods for Diverse Learning. All music education students are required to join the Collegiate National Association for Music Education (CNAfME) or the collegiate chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and become immediate and active participants in the profession.

Elementary and secondary music education methods courses at Stetson provide for pre-student teaching field experiences. The Community School of Music also provides opportunities for teaching in applied areas and for assistance in Orff programs, Young Singers, and Youth Strings. All proficiencies and the senior recital must be completed before internship. Except for students interning in a fall semester, all classwork should be completed prior to internship.

During the sophomore year, music education majors should apply in the Department of Education at Stetson for admission to teacher education. All students who apply for admission to the Approved Program must meet the requirements listed below.

All students in the Music Education Major will register for and attend a weekly meeting/forum with the music education faculty. This meeting is every Friday at 2:30 p.m. Those with a Stetson course conflicting with this weekly meeting submit a waiver form in writing to the director of music education.

Teacher Education Course Sequence

In the first semester at Stetson:

  • Join CNAfME or ACDA, and maintain active membership throughout Stetson career.
  • Take the General Knowledge (GK) portion of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam. This test is offered at various times throughout the year, and it is the student’s obligation to sign up for and post a passing score for this exam during the first year at Stetson.
  • Become familiar with the requirements for admission to the Approved Teacher Education program (requirements listed in the University catalog).

In the sophomore (or second) year at Stetson:

  • You must be approved for the Teacher Education program before you enroll in either MUED 325. Since this course is normally taken in the second-year spring, you must meet all necessary requirements before then. Students take responsibility for becoming familiar with these requirements, which are listed in the Catalog.

Students needing more time to be admitted into the approved teacher education program may apply to the Undergraduate Council for entrance into the Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in a Specific Outside Field, with that outside field being Education, with the understanding that they may continue to take classes required for the Music Education degree.  In rare circumstances, students may be allowed to graduate in that degree, but it is not a state-certified music education degree and an internship is not guaranteed in that degree.  Upon meeting the admission requirements, students may again apply to the Undergraduate Council to be placed again in the Music Education degree.

In the junior (or third) year at Stetson:

  • Students must now have been approved for the Teacher Education program at Stetson in order to proceed in 300-level music education courses.
  • During the fall semester, apply to take the Professional Education and Subject Area portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exams. Like the GK test, these are offered at various times throughout the year, they require significant advance registration, and it is the student obligation to post a passing score.
  • Become familiar with the requirements needed for admission to student teaching (listed below).

Preparing for Your Internship

  1. You must attend two meetings in the Department of Education prior to your internship. At the first required meeting, your student teaching application will be discussed. At the second required meeting, you will receive important internship information.
  2. If you plan to intern in the fall semester, the first meeting will be in November of the previous fall semester, and the second meeting will be in April of the previous spring semester.
  3. If you plan to intern in the spring semester, the first meeting will be in April of the previous spring semester, and the second meeting will be in November of the previous fall semester. Notices are posted in Presser and Davis Halls.
  4. Student teaching applications are always due the semester prior to student teaching. For example, if you plan to intern in the fall semester, your application is due early in the previous spring semester. If you plan to intern in the spring semester, your application is due early of the previous fall semester.
  5. All requirements for internship listed in the Undergraduate Handbook, must be met before you will be permitted to student teach; exceptions and extensions are not appropriate or acceptable.

The School of Music works closely with Stetson's Department of Education.  The mission of the Department of Education is to educate teachers and administrators to act as competent, effective, and knowledgeable facilitators of learning disposed to using technology and research practices to enhance K-12 education; to create a community of learners responsive to the developmental and social needs of diverse learners; to respond to those needs; and to advocate for change from the local to the global levels. The Department of Education resides within the Division of Education. The programs offered by the unit meet University requirements for graduation, as well as the certification requirements of the Florida Department of Education.

Program requirements are subject to change based on Florida Department of Education Mandates.

Responsibility for education programs within the School of Music rests with the Coordinator of Music Education, who consults regularly with the Chair of the Department of Education in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Undergraduate and Graduate Councils review program requirements, recommend policy and procedures, monitor student progress, and serve as a board of appeal for students seeking exceptions to established policy.

Admittance to undergraduate programs is determined by the Undergraduate Council. The Council considers numerous factors prior to making a determination of admittance. Admission may be contingent upon availability of space within the program. All students should apply for admission at the Undergraduate Education Office during the first semester of their tenure at Stetson.

Admittance to graduate programs of study is determined by the Graduate Admissions Council. A description of graduate programs appears in the graduate section of this Catalog.

More information can be found online at http://www.stetson.edu/academics/programs/education.php.

The Nina B. Hollis Institute for Educational Reform

The Nina B. Hollis Institute for Educational Reform at Stetson University resides within the Department of Education. The Institute, established in 2000, is a comprehensive learning community. In collaboration with local community leaders, district personnel, educational agencies and Stetson University faculty, the Institute has created a model for reform that supports education. Through research and pedagogical assistance, the Institute provides assistance in developing research-based best practice in-service workshops and events to educators, families, businesses, universities and policymakers for the advancement of teaching and learning.

Undergraduate Degrees and State Certifications

The Department of Education offers state-approved programs in elementary education/ESOL K-6 and K-12 programs in music. The Elementary Education/ESOL K-6 program provides ESOL endorsement, as mandated by the State of Florida.

In addition to its approved certification programs, the Department offers certain courses accepted by the Florida Department of Education for Florida certification. For specific courses, consult with the Office of Undergraduate Education.

Requirements for Admission to Approved Teacher Education Program (also called Tier II)

To be considered for admission to the Education program, a student must:

  1. complete an application for admission to a program of study leading to certification;
  2. complete a Candidate Acknowledgement of Professional Expectations;
  3. present a minimum 2.5 grade point average for all college work taken at Stetson;
  4. present a grade of C or higher in at least one Writing Enhanced course;
  5. present a passing score on all areas of the General Knowledge (GK) Test;
  6. earn a grade of C or better in all credit-bearing EDUC and MUED courses;
  7. present a minimum 2.5 grade point average in specialization courses (major field of study);
  8. complete a successful interview with members of the Undergraduate Council, if a review of performance in foundation courses suggests weaknesses;
  9. join the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), the state affiliate of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) which includes NAfME membership, and the Collegiate National Association for Music Education (CNAfME) chapter at Stetson;
  10. follow the degree audit planner (ALL students MUST meet with their education advisor every semester);
  11. obtain a copy of The Undergraduate Student Handbook;
  12. purchase a subscription to LiveText (department student management and assessment system).

Note: At any checkpoint within the student’s program, if there is a concern about the student’s appropriate progress, the student may be required to meet with an education faculty committee before continuing in the program. Background checks are required prior to any field placement.

Admission Review by the Undergraduate Council

After considering all of these requirements, the Undergraduate Council will determine whether an individual student will be admitted. The Council may choose not to admit a student based on an interview, even though other requirements have been satisfied. Admission also may be contingent upon availability of space within the program.

Students should apply for admission to Education at the Undergraduate Education Office during the first semester of their first year. Transfer students must apply during the first semester of their residence.

Admission to Student Teaching (also called Tier III)

Eligibility requirements for student teaching include the following:

  1. gain admittance into the Approved Education Program;
  2. achieve satisfactory progress in the Danielson Domains;
  3. meet expectations on Assessment of Professional Expectations;
  4. complete the Student Teaching Application;
  5. provide evidence of a passing score on all of the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE), Professional Exam, and Subject Area Exam, in teaching major;
  6. earn a grade of “C” or better in all credit-bearing EDUC and MUED courses;
  7. earn a grade point average of 2.5 or better in major content area and overall;
  8. obtain a satisfactory behavior recommendation from the Office of Campus Life at Stetson;
  9. pass fingerprinting clearance and drug screening, if required by county school boards.

Exit Requirements

In order to graduate from the University with a degree in music education, a student must satisfactorily complete the following requirements:

  1. earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better;
  2. earn a grade of C or better in all credit-bearing EDUC and MUED courses;
  3. earn a grade point average of 2.5 or better in content teaching area;
  4. demonstrate satisfactory performance in Danielson Domains;
  5. demonstrate professional dispositions in all coursework and field experiences as outlined by the program.

For information on graduate degrees in Education, see the Graduate Programs/Arts and Sciences.