Photo credit: Anna Gallo

Music Education
BA

Offered as: 
On-campus
Undergraduate
Concentration

The BA in music with a concentration in music education develops skillful teachers who are in demand throughout New England and across the country. Approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the program leads to a Massachusetts Initial License to teach.

We take a global approach to music education, encouraging you to explore the world's musical heritage and bring diverse experiences to the classroom. You'll receive thorough training as both an instrumentalist/vocalist and as a teacher of music at the elementary and/or secondary levels.

The program emphasizes how to develop and conduct vocal and instrumental ensembles, methods for teaching music, music education's historical foundations, and up-to-date electronic teaching tools. Your supervised field experiences will culminate in a semester of student teaching.

Music majors at UMass Dartmouth may also earn a concentration in music performance.

The music education program is a four-year program, consisting of 126 credit hours that include vocal and instrumental methods classes and a semester of teaching practicum. You'll graduate with your BA in Music and your initial licensure in music education (grades K-12).

Our music education graduates have found career placements in school systems throughout the region, including:

  • New Bedford Public Schools
  • Fall River Public Schools
  • Somerset Public Schools
  • Plymouth Public Schools
  • Brockton Public Schools
  • Worcester Public Schools

The Music Department is approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to offer courses for Initial Licensure in Music Education (K-12). Reciprocal agreements allow this certification to be valid in many states in addition to Massachusetts.

Student success

Bronwyn Pearson
Bronwyn Pearson '24: Music education

Junior music education major and incumbent Corsair Band president gains real-world experience studying her passion.

College of Visual & Performing Arts undergraduate median starting salary:
$55,000

NACE Data Collection of Class of 2023 Undergraduate Alumni

UMassD advantages

  • Performance: advance your skills as a performer through our many vocal and instrumental ensembles
  • Concert series: the department sponsors performances by professional artists of national and international stature
  • Jam sessions: share your love of jazz at jam sessions with faculty and guest musicians
  • Community: participate in student-led ensembles

Rankings

  • 100% of music majors were employed within six months of graduation - Class of 2023 NACE survey