Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Music
Music Education (Pre-K-12), B.Mus.
Admission Requirements
The music education program leads to a New York State Initial Certification for teaching Pre-K-12, broadfield in New York State schools. This program requires intensive study in music performance, music history, music theory, and methodologies of teaching, with special focus on world music and urban culture.
Music Education major
Students who are interested in the Music Education major must first apply for admission to Buffalo State College by completing a SUNY application. Once the application is reviewed by the Office of Admissions staff, applicants will be contacted to arrange an audition and interview with members of the Music Department faculty. Admission to the Music Education major is based on the outcome of the audition and interview. Freshmen or transfer students who have a successful audition, but do not pass the interview, will be offered admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree.
Entrance Audition
All Music Education students must audition for admission to the Music Department. Entering students are afforded two opportunities to audition for admission. If a student is not accepted after the second audition, a third audition is not permitted. Audition requirements may be found electronically at http://www.buffalostate.edu/music/audition.xml
Re-admission to the Music Department
(Effective Fall 2002) Students who have taken a leave of absence exceeding one academic year will be required to audition for readmission to the Music Department. Juniors and Seniors who have successfully entered the Upper Division Music Education program and have taken a leave of absence exceeding one academic year may be required to audition and re-interview for placement in the Music Education program, at the discretion of the Music Department Chairperson.
Transfer Students
Transfer students who are interested in the Music Education major must first apply for admission to Buffalo State College as a Music Education major with lower division status. The Music Education application process includes an audition and interview with members of the music faculty.
For transfer students, the initial interview for acceptance to the Upper Division Music Education program must occur concurrent with enrollment in MUS 331- Music Theory IV or in the second semester of full-time study if a student has satisfied the requirements for Music Theory IV. Students may not interview prior to the completion of two semesters of full time study as a Lower Division Music Education major. The faculty reserves the right to compel the initial interview for acceptance to the Upper Division Music Education program at any point in a Music Education major’s course of study.
For acceptance to the Upper Division Music Education program, Music Education transfer students must successfully satisfy the seven requirements stated on page 11. Transfer students who do not satisfy these requirements cannot enter the Upper Division Music Education program. If a transfer student does not pass on the first attempt, the jury and Music Education Interview must be held a second time within one academic year of the initial attempt. Failure to pass the admission process on the second attempt will result in permanent dismissal from the music education program.
Electronic Portfolios
All Music Education majors are required to compile and maintain an electronic teaching portfolio. Detailed requirements regarding content and layout are available online or from the music education coordinator. All portfolio design and content requirements will be covered in coursework. In addition, workshops will be held each semester to provide technical support in the compilation of portfolios. If additional assistance is required, it is the responsibility of the student to seek instruction or guidance from the music education coordinator or other appropriate sources. Students will NOT attain Upper Division Music Education status or be permitted to student teach without an appropriate electronic portfolio as determined in corresponding coursework.
Requirements for entrance to the Upper Division Music Education program
Upper Division denotes the advanced set of courses in the Music Education curriculum (Elementary Methods, Secondary Choral Methods, Secondary Instrumental Methods, co-requisite Field Experiences, Student Teaching, and Student Teaching Seminar) required to complete the Bachelor of Music in Music Education (B.Mus.) degree at Buffalo State College. Upper Division Status must be attained before registering for any Upper Division music education courses.
All B.Mus. Lower Division students must demonstrate their readiness to proceed to the Upper Division Music Education program through the music education interview. For students who enter BSC as freshmen, the initial interview for acceptance to the Upper Division Music Education program must occur in the fourth semester of full-time music study as a Lower Division Music Education major. For transfer students, the initial interview for acceptance to the Upper Division Music Education program must occur concurrent with enrollment in MUS 331-Music Theory IV or in the second semester of full-time music study if a student has satisfied the requirements for Music Theory IV. The faculty reserves the right to compel the initial interview for acceptance to the Upper Division Music Education program at any point in a Lower Division Music Education major’s course of study.
For acceptance to the Upper Division Music Education program, Lower Division Music Education students must:
- Fulfill college competency requirements in mathematics and English composition
- Successfully complete MUS 122 (MUS 189 in Fall 2006) with a minimum grade of C
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in music and 2.5 overall
- Pass a juried performance commensurate with admission to MUS 371
- Satisfactory professional disposition as assessed by the Professional Disposition Report (PDR). Extant PFP data may be used for informational purposes only when assessing students who entered the program in or prior to Spring 2006.
- Compile and maintain an electronic teaching portfolio according to stated criteria (see Electronic Teaching Portfolio).
- Successfully pass the Music Education Interview (see Music Education Interview).
- The successful outcome of the above-described process will indicate the music faculty's confidence in the student's ability to complete the program and become a successful music educator.
- Students who do not pass this process cannot enter the Upper Division Music Education program. If a student does not pass on the first attempt, the jury and music education interview must be held a second time within one academic year of the first attempt.
- Failure to pass the admission process on the second attempt will result in permanent dismissal from the music education program.
Music Education Interview
Interviews will be held on Monday of the 14th week of each semester.
Results of the Music Education interview will be based upon:
- A review of the candidate’s electronic teaching portfolio, which will be made available to committee at least one week prior to the interview.
- An overview of the candidate’s academic, musical, and professional teaching disposition progress and growth.
- The candidate’s brief oral presentation on his/her readiness to enter the Upper Division Music Education program.
- The candidate’s responses to the committee’s interview questions.