Music Teaching and Learning, B.A.

Students in the Music Teaching and Learning, B.A. receive extensive training in performance, pedagogy, repertoire, and conducting. A curriculum that includes educational psychology, theory, and music history prepares UMBC graduates for a successful career in classroom and studio teaching as well as graduate studies in the area of music. Through field observations and hands-on teaching experiences, students receive clear guidance to develop their own teaching skills, conducting technique, and philosophies of music education for the 21st century classroom. The degree combines courses from both Music and Education provide a comprehensive overview of theories and practices in both fields. Faculty specializations include studio teaching, aesthetic education, conducting, classroom teaching, and vocal and instrumental technique. Special opportunities exist in the form of off-campus internships and fellowships.

University Requirements

Completion of Minimum University Requirements for an Undergraduate Baccalaureate Degree .

Minimum 120 credits and minimum GPA of 2.0
Completion of 45 upper-level credits, the residence requirement, the Writing Intensive requirement, and the General Education requirement

Major Requirements

Minimum 108 credits
Minimum grade of ‘C’ in courses applied to the major except where otherwise indicated

Course Requirements

Music Core (26 credits)

Complete the following, including MUSC 179 and MUSC 211 with a minimum grade of ‘B’:

Additional Music Requirements (25 credits)

Complete 25 credits from the following:

Recital Preparation

Complete 3 credits of the following:

MUSC 191 - Recital Preparation (1)

Private Lessons

Complete 12 credits from the following:

MUSC 193 - Private Lessons for Music Majors (3)

Advanced Private Lessons

Complete 6 credits from the following:

MUSC 390 - Advanced Private Lessons for Music Majors (3)

K-12 Music Education Track (27-29 credits)

Complete one of the following tracks:

Instrumental Music Education

The Instrumental Music Education Track consists of 29 credits.

200-Level Music Theory Sequence

Complete one of the following 6-credit sequences:

Instrumental K-12 Methods

Complete the following 17 credits:

Instrumental Ensembles

Complete 6 ensemble courses over 6 different semesters selected from the following, large instrumental ensembles MUSC 305 , MUSC 308 , or MUSC 320 during the first 4 semesters.

Choral Music Education

The Choral Music Education track consists of 27 credits.

200-Level Music Theory Sequence

Complete the following 6 credits:

Choral K-12 Methods

Complete 15 credits from the following:

Vocal Ensembles

Complete 6 ensemble courses over 6 different semesters selected from the following, including two consecutive semesters of MUSC 303 and two consecutive semesters of MUSC 304 during the first 4 semesters.

Education Certification Requirements (31 credits)

Students pursuing the Music Teaching and Learning, B.A. apply for acceptance into the education department and complete coursework in education as required by the State of Maryland for teacher certification. Please see Education for details and requirements.

Advanced Education Courses

Complete the following with minimum grade of ‘B’:

Four-Year Academic Pathways

The Four-Year Academic Pathways webpage offers helpful sample pathways for students eager to explore their academic options and stay on track for a four-year graduation. These pathways provide a starting point for students to plan how to complete their degree in four years. However, it’s important to remember that these are just samples. In consultation with their academic advisor, each student will create an individualized degree plan that reflects their unique academic background, interests, and career goals.

Students must develop their personalized degree plan by the time they’ve earned 45 credits and regularly update it with their advisor as their goals and academic journey evolve. This approach ensures that students make thoughtful, strategic choices that set them up for success throughout their time at UMBC.

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs

Qualified students may apply to an accelerated program, which allows them to take graduate courses as undergraduate students and later apply those courses to master’s degrees. A student may apply to participate in an accelerated program even if the desired graduate program is in a department other than the one in which they are majoring. More information is available from the Accelerated Program page of the Graduate School website.