Music Education, B.M.

Contact Information

Program Description

This single field program is designed to prepare music teachers at all grade levels (pre-kindergarten through grade 12). It leads to P-12 teacher certification in the teaching field of music in Georgia. Candidates complete the equivalent of a major in music and a second major in pedagogical studies with an emphasis on teaching music. Students audition for placement into one of four music education concentrations (General Music, Choral, Band, and Orchestra). The Music Education major is offered with applied instruction in piano, voice, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, guitar, violin, viola, cello, double bass, and harp.

Applied Instruction

All three undergraduate music degrees offer applied instruction in piano, voice, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, harp, guitar, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Only certain applied areas are offered in the jazz concentration within the Bachelor of Music in Performance.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the Music Education program is separate from admission to Kennesaw State University. Students must meet the program requirements to pursue this degree program, outlined below.

• Students must complete a supplemental application and successful audition with the School of Music, and demonstration of successful academic performance.
• All prospective music majors and minors are required to audition for the faculty on their principal instrument or voice. If the student is not accepted based on their first audition, they may complete a second audition for admission in a later term. If, however, they are not accepted after the second audition, the student may not audition again.
• In order to be eligible for admission to the School of Music, prospective transfer students and current KSU students interested in becoming a music major or minor must have a minimum adjusted GPA of 2.0 to audition and apply for entrance into a music degree program.
• Applied music study may not be initiated until the student has been fully accepted as a major or minor by the School of Music. All students enrolling at KSU for a second degree in music must meet the same departmental audition requirements required of all incoming students.
• Prior to admission to a music degree program, the prospective music major/minor is required to submit an application form to the College of the Arts and present an audition in the principal area of applied concentration.
• Applicants may also elect to audition on more than one instrument or an instrument and voice. Auditions, conducted by the music faculty, are held on the Kennesaw State University campus on specific dates.

Audition Dates and Requirements

Auditions are held on specific dates prior to the term a student begins study as a music student. A description of the audition process, including specific dates and requirements, is detailed in the Supplemental Application for the School of Music located on the School of Music website (www.kennesaw.edu/music). Questions regarding the audition process, audition dates, or requirements can be directed to the College of the Arts Office of Admissions and Student Services, 470-578-6614; COTA-Admissions@kennesaw.edu.

Transfer Admissions Requirements

• Students who wish to transfer into the School of Music from another institution follow the same admissions procedure as all new students (see above).
• Transfer students are placed at an academic level in their principal area of applied concentration based upon the transferable amount of study earned at other institutions and the performance level demonstrated at the audition.
• Transfer credit for all course work is evaluated as quickly as possible after a student has been admitted to KSU. Students who transfer completed baccalaureate applied performance credit to KSU will be required to take additional applied performance study and additional ensemble credit so as to parallel remaining semesters of their designated degree program of study at KSU.
• The School of Music accepts students from other schools and colleges at Kennesaw State University on the same basis as new students and/or transfer students from other institutions. Interested and qualified students are encouraged to transfer into the program.

Change of Concentration

Students who wish to change their applied performance concentration must reaudition and be accepted for applied studio instruction in the new concentration.

Change of Degree Program

Students who wish to change degree programs in music must reaudition and gain admission status to the new degree program.

Placement

The School of Music holds the exclusive authority to determine appropriate admission level placement in the applied concentration, music theory, music history, piano proficiency, and continuity of study. Continuous study in the area of the applied concentration is a requisite. A lapse of two or more semesters of applied study will require an audition for readmittance to the School of Music. General Requirements A variety of School of Music regulations and policies affect music majors and minors. Included are requirements for recital and ensemble participation, recital and concert attendance, piano proficiency, departmental assessment procedures, and applied juries. Enrollment in an applied area of concentration is required of all music majors as specified in the degree program. Further, music students must be enrolled in an appropriate large ensemble every semester in which the student is enrolled in applied music. The appropriate ensemble director determines a student’s large ensemble placement. To earn academic credit toward their degree, music students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all music courses.

General Requirements

• A variety of School of Music regulations and policies affect music majors and minors.
• Included are requirements for recital and ensemble participation, recital and concert attendance, piano proficiency, departmental assessment procedures, and applied juries.
• Enrollment in an applied area of concentration is required of all music majors as specified in the degree program. Further, music students must be enrolled in an appropriate large ensemble every semester in which the student is enrolled in applied music.
• The appropriate ensemble director determines a student’s large ensemble placement. To earn academic credit toward their degree, music students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all music courses.

Teacher Education Admissions Requirements

Admission to teacher education is separate from admission to Kennesaw State University. Students must meet the program requirements to pursue this degree program, outlined below.

Candidates typically apply for admission to Teacher Education as sophomores after having completed most of their general education requirements. Applications for admission to Teacher Education should be submitted online through Owl Express under the “Student Services” menu.

A criminal history background check will be performed prior to admission to Teacher Education. In addition, if determined by the background check that a student is a multi-state offender, the student will be required to pay a fee and be fingerprinted. Results of either the criminal history background check and/or fingerprinting may preclude admission to teacher education. For more information on the criminal history process, students should contact the Center for Education Placements and Partnerships (CEPP).

In order to be considered for admission to teacher education programs, candidates must have completed the following requirements:

1. Coursework:

• At least  36 semester hours of accredited college coursework.
• ENGL 1101   and ENGL 1102  with grades of “C” or higher.
• EDUC 2110 * with a grade of “C” or higher, a satisfactory field experience evaluation *or provide proof of credit from an approved Georgia Pathways Program

2. GPA requirements:

• Achieved a minimum, adjusted or cumulative GPA of 2.75 for all coursework completed at Kennesaw State University.  However, only candidates who have earned a KSU adjusted or cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher will be guaranteed admission when all other admission requirements have been met.  Students with a 2.75-2.99 GPA will be admitted on a case-by-case basis.
• Transfer students with a cumulative transfer GPA (as used by KSU Admissions) may be considered for teacher education admission their first semester at KSU.  Only candidates who have achieved a transfer cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher will be guaranteed admission when all other admission requirements have been met.  After their first semester at KSU without teacher education admission, transfer students will be required to earn a cumulative or adjusted KSU GPA as explained above.
• No grade lower than “C” in Lower Division Major and Teaching Field courses as required by the programs in teacher education.

3. Register with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission to obtain a MyPSC account and PSC identification number.

4.Entrance exams requirements:

• Pass or exempt* the GACE Program Admission Assessments (test codes 210, 211, & 212 or combined test 710)
• Pass the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (test code 360)

5. Some degree programs in teacher education have additional admissions requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to consult those departments and program advisors.

* The GACE Program Admission Assessment tests are comprehensive exams covering reading, writing, and mathematics. Regardless of matriculation date, the GACE Program Admission Assessments are a requirement for entrance into the Teacher Education Program at Kennesaw State University. Candidates should plan to take the tests prior to applying to the Teacher Education Program. Students with the following minimum scores on Collegiate SAT, ACT or GRE examinations may exempt GACE Program Admission Assessment by submitting proof of scores to the Certification Officer at teapp@kennesaw.edu.

• SAT:  at least 1000 “Critical Reading” + “Math” on tests before March 1, 2016  OR 1000 “Evidence-based Reading and Writing” + “Math” March 1, 2016 -June 30, 2019 OR 1080 “Evidence-based Reading and Writing” + “Math” July 1, 2019 & after
• ACT:  at least 43 “English” + “Math”
• GRE: at least 1030 (Verbal and Quantitative) OR 297 (Verbal and Quantitative) 08/01/2011 and after

Applicants will be reviewed by the Admission and Academic Standing Committee of the applicant’s proposed degree program. All candidates who have met the requirements outlined above will be considered for admission. Only candidates who have achieved an adjusted GPA of 3.0 or higher will be guaranteed a place in their teacher education program of choice. 

Candidates will be informed of their admission status by email to their Kennesaw State University Student email account. Notification dates will vary depending upon many variables.  Candidates must enroll in the semester for which they have been admitted, or their admission is nullified, and they must re-apply and meet the admission requirements for a subsequent semester. KSU will request that teacher education candidates be issued a Pre-Service Certificate by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC). 

To be eligible for the Pre-Service Certificate, candidates must:

• Submit a complete PSC Pre-Service Certification application packet.
• Be enrolled in an educator preparation program leading to initial certification
• Have a successful background check (conducted as part of the application process). The GaPSC will NOT award a Pre-Service Certificate to anyone who is currently on probation, regardless of the crime. The GaPSC requires a copy of the Final Disposition, signed by a judge, in order to consider the issuance of a Pre-Service Certificate.
• Pass or exempt GACE Program Admission Assessments.
• Pass Georgia Educator Ethics Exam (test code 360).
• Verify enrollment in a KSU educator preparation program through personal MyPSC account.
• A Pre-Service Certificate is required to participate in field experiences associated with courses required in teacher education programs.

Graduation Requirements

Each student is expected to meet the Academic Policies Graduation Policies and Procedures  outlined in the Academic Policies section of the Catalog. Graduation from a teacher education program requires that you at least attempt the GACE Content exams associated with your degree field.  Passing scores are required for certification by the PSC. All upper level coursework requires a grade of “C” or higher and there must be a successful completion of all field experiences.

Program of Study