Pre-Teaching, B.M. - COLA, UNH

Undergraduate

Pre-Teaching

Develop comprehensive musical expertise in performance, theory and teaching methods, while choosing between vocal or instrumental concentrations.
Degree
Bachelor of Music
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
40*
Credit
128 hrs.*
Full-time
4 yrs.
Part-time
Varies
View course catalog
child playing the violin

Music

The Music Pre-Teaching degree program at UNH offers an accelerated path to becoming a certified music educator, combining a Bachelor of Music with a Master of Arts in Teaching in just five years. Here you'll be able to develop comprehensive musical expertise in performance, theory, and teaching methods, while choosing between vocal or instrumental concentrations. 

With hands-on teaching opportunities through UNH's Youth Band, Youth Orchestra, and Summer Youth Music School, plus personal mentorship from faculty with extensive K-12 teaching careers, you'll gain real-world experience before graduation. Working alongside our thriving community of music education students and performing in top-tier ensembles, you'll build the skills needed to share your passion for music with future generations.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

Department of Music

Key Links

Tuition Costs

What is a Bachelor of Music in pre-teaching?

If you’re passionate about teaching music and want to obtain a graduate degree, the pre-teaching degree program grants you a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in only five years. After four years of undergraduate study, you’ll undertake a fifth-year internship and graduate coursework to complete your teaching certification. You’ll study music performance, theory, analysis and history, as well as teaching methods and human development. You’ll be able to select an emphasis in vocal or instrumental music. Come prepare yourself to share your love of music through teaching!

Why study music pre-teaching at UNH?

Music education is central to what we do. Approximately two-thirds of our students are music education majors, and all recent graduates who have sought employment as teachers have been successful. At UNH, you’ll work with renowned faculty who had significant careers as K-12 music educators. Your coursework will cover both the theory and practice of teaching, and you’ll gain valuable teaching experience through programs like Summer Youth Music School and the UNH Youth Band and Youth Orchestras. You’ll hone your own personal musicianship through private study, chamber music and some of the best performing ensembles in the region.

Potential Careers

  • Arts nonprofit team member or director
  • K-12 music teacher
  • Music administrator
  • Music education and outreach director
  • Private lesson instructor
  • Professional performer

Curriculum & Requirements

01
Program Description
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The B.M. pre-teaching degree is the program of choice for most students seeking a five-year, combined bachelor's and master's degree program that includes certification to teach music in the public schools. Students will complete all of the skill and knowledge content requirements in this undergraduate program leaving a year-long internship and some advanced study in music and education for the fifth year.

Students applying to the Master of Arts in Teaching program need a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 or better to ensure admission to the graduate school. Therefore, students typically apply first to UNH as a B.M. music education major and switch to this B.M. pre-teaching degree in their junior or senior year.

02
Degree Plan
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Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Pre-Teaching: Choral

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
MUSI 501 The Western Musical Canon 3
MUSI 471 Theory I 3
MUSI 473 Ear Training I 1
MUSI 475 Functional Piano I 1
MUED 745 Techniques and Methods in String Instruments 2
500 Level Lesson 1
Performance Ensemble 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits16
Spring
MUSI 515 Music in World Cultures 4
MUSI 520 Diction for Singers I 2
MUSI 472 Theory I 3
MUSI 474 Ear Training I 1
MUSI 476 Functional Piano I 1
MUED 751 Techniques and Methods in Percussion Instruments 2
500 Level Lesson 1
Performance Ensemble 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits15
Second Year
Fall
Discovery/QR 4
EDUC 500 Exploring Teaching 4
MUSI 571 Theory II 3
MUSI 573 Ear Training II 1
MUSI 575 Functional Piano II 1
MUED 747 Techniques and Methods in Woodwind Instruments 2
500 Level Lesson 1
Performance Ensemble 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits17
Spring
MUSI 502 Musics in Context 3
MUED 755 Vocal Pedagogy 2
MUSI 572 Theory II 3
MUSI 574 Ear Training II 1
MUSI 576 Functional Piano II 1
MUED 749 Techniques and Methods in Brass Instruments 2
MUSI 731 Conducting 2
500 Level Lesson 1
Performance Ensemble 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
Discovery Course 4
Discovery Course 4
MUSI 732 Conducting 2
MUSI 779 Reading and Writing Musical Scores 3
MUSI 781W Analysis: Form and Structure 3
MUSI 691 Music Internship I (Fall or Spring) 1
700 Level Lesson 1
Performance Ensemble 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits19
Spring
Discovery Course 4
Discovery Course 4
EDUC 605 Educational Perspectives in Critical Times 4
MUED 790 Teaching Elementary School Music 3
700 Level Lesson 1
Performance Ensemble 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits17
Fourth Year
Fall
Discovery Course 4
EDUC 701 Human Development & Learning: Cultural Perspectives 4
MUED 741 Techniques and Methods in Choral Music 2
MUED 791 Teaching Secondary School Music 2
MUSI 791 Music Internship II (Optoinal Fall or Spring) 2
700 Level Lesson 1
Performance Ensemble 1 1
 Credits16
Spring
Discovery Course 4
Free Elective 4
EDUC 751A
or EDUC 751B
 Inclusive Elementary Education: Literacies and Learning for Diverse Learners
or Methods of Inclusive Secondary Education: Literacies, Learning, and Transitions
 4
MUSI 701 Topics in Music History 3
700 Level Lesson 1
Performance Ensemble 1 1
 Credits17
 Total Credits133

Pre-Teaching: Instrumental

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
MUSI 501 The Western Musical Canon 3
MUSI 471 Theory I 3
MUSI 473 Ear Training I 1
MUSI 475 Functional Piano I 1
MUED 745 Techniques and Methods in String Instruments 2
500 Level Lesson 1
Performing Ensemble 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits16
Spring
Discovery/QR 4
MUSI 515 Music in World Cultures 4
MUSI 472 Theory I 3
MUSI 474 Ear Training I 1
MUSI 476 Functional Piano I 1
MUED 751 Techniques and Methods in Percussion Instruments 2
500 Level Lesson 1
Performing Ensemble 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits17
Second Year
Fall
EDUC 500 Exploring Teaching 4
MUSI 571 Theory II 3
MUSI 573 Ear Training II 1
MUSI 575 Functional Piano II 1
MUED 747 Techniques and Methods in Woodwind Instruments 2
500 Level Lesson 1
Performing Ensembles 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits13
Spring
Discovery Course 4
MUSI 502 Musics in Context 3
MUSI 572 Theory II 3
MUSI 574 Ear Training II 1
MUSI 576 Functional Piano II 1
MUED 749 Techniques and Methods in Brass Instruments 2
MUSI 731 Conducting 2
500 Level Lesson 1
Performing Ensemble 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits18
Third Year
Fall
Discovery Course 4
EDUC 605 Educational Perspectives in Critical Times 4
MUSI 732 Conducting 2
MUSI 779 Reading and Writing Musical Scores 3
MUSI 781W Analysis: Form and Structure 3
MUSI 691 Music Internship I (Fall or Spring) 1
700 Level Lesson 1
Performing Ensemble 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits19
Spring
Discovery Course 4
EDUC 701 Human Development & Learning: Cultural Perspectives 4
MUED 765 Instrumental Music Methods 2
MUED 790 Teaching Elementary School Music 3
700 Level Lesson 1
Performing Ensemble 1 1
MUSI 540 Recital Attendance 0
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall
Discovery Course 4
Discovery Course 4
MUED 741 Techniques and Methods in Choral Music 2
MUED 791 Teaching Secondary School Music 2
MUSI 791 Music Internship II (Optional Fall or Spring) 2
700 Level Lesson 1
Performing Ensemble 1 1
 Credits16
Spring
Discovery Course 4
Free Elective 4
Free Elective 1
EDUC 751A
or EDUC 751B
 Inclusive Elementary Education: Literacies and Learning for Diverse Learners
or Methods of Inclusive Secondary Education: Literacies, Learning, and Transitions
 4
MUSI 701 Topics in Music History 3
700 Level Lesson 1
Performing Ensemble 1 1
 Credits18
 Total Credits132
1

Performing Ensembles are specified in the catalog.

03
Requirements for the Program
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Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of the major. B.M. in music majors may use MUSI 502 Musics in Context to satisfy the Inquiry Discovery category requirement, and MUSI 515 Music in World Cultures to satisfy the World Cultures Discovery category requirement. Additionally, B.M. music education and pre-teaching majors may use MUSI 501 The Western Musical Canon to satisfy the Fine and Performing Arts Discovery category requirement.

All bachelor of music students are required to give a public performance during their senior year, which fulfills the Discovery Program capstone requirement: for students in the pre-teaching option, a half recital is required.

Music requirements must receive a grade of C- or better.

Core Curriculum
MUSI 471
& MUSI 472		Theory I
and Theory I		6
MUSI 473
& MUSI 474		Ear Training I
and Ear Training I		2
MUSI 475
& MUSI 476		Functional Piano I
and Functional Piano I 1		2
MUSI 571
& MUSI 572		Theory II
and Theory II		6
MUSI 573
& MUSI 574		Ear Training II
and Ear Training II		2
MUSI 575
& MUSI 576		Functional Piano II
and Functional Piano II 1		2
MUSI 501
& MUSI 502		The Western Musical Canon
and Musics in Context		6
MUSI 515Music in World Cultures4
MUSI 540Recital Attendance0
MUSI 691Music Internship I1-2
MUSI 731Conducting2
Advanced Music History:3
MUSI 701
Topics in Music History
Advanced Music Theory:3
MUSI 781W
Analysis: Form and Structure
Performance Study (Applied Lessons): select from the following coursesVariable
MUSI 541, MUSI 545, MUSI 546, MUSI 547, MUSI 548, MUSI 549, MUSI 550, MUSI 551, MUSI 552, MUSI 553, MUSI 554, MUSI 555, MUSI 556, MUSI 557, MUSI 558, MUSI 559, MUSI 560, MUSI 561, MUSI 562, MUSI 563, MUSI 564, MUSI 741, MUSI 745, MUSI 746, MUSI 747, MUSI 748, MUSI 749, MUSI 751, MUSI 752, MUSI 753, MUSI 754, MUSI 755, MUSI 756, MUSI 757, MUSI 758, MUSI 759, MUSI 760, MUSI 761, MUSI 762, MUSI 763, MUSI 764
Performing Ensemble: select from the following coursesVariable
MUSI 441, MUSI 442, MUSI 448, MUSI 450, MUSI 452, MUSI 453, MUSI 454, MUSI 455, MUSI 456, MUSI 457, MUSI 459, MUSI 460, MUSI 462, MUSI 463, MUSI 464
Total Credits39-40
1

Students will be given the opportunity to test out of MUSI 471 Theory I, MUSI 475 Functional Piano I, MUSI 476 Functional Piano I and MUSI 575 Functional Piano II, MUSI 576 Functional Piano II.

Bachelor of Music Pre-Teaching Curriculum

Degree program has final approval from the National Association of Schools of Music.

MUED 741Techniques and Methods in Choral Music2
MUED 745Techniques and Methods in String Instruments2
MUED 747Techniques and Methods in Woodwind Instruments 12-3
MUED 749Techniques and Methods in Brass Instruments2
MUED 751Techniques and Methods in Percussion Instruments2
MUED 755Vocal Pedagogy 22
MUED 765Instrumental Music Methods 32
MUED 790Teaching Elementary School Music3
MUED 791Teaching Secondary School Music2
MUSI 520Diction for Singers I 42
MUSI 732Conducting2
MUSI 779Reading and Writing Musical Scores3
Performance Study (Applied Lessons): select from the following courses8
MUSI 541, MUSI 545, MUSI 546, MUSI 547, MUSI 548, MUSI 549, MUSI 550, MUSI 551, MUSI 552, MUSI 553, MUSI 554, MUSI 555, MUSI 556, MUSI 557, MUSI 558, MUSI 559, MUSI 560, MUSI 561, MUSI 562, MUSI 563, MUSI 564, MUSI 741, MUSI 745, MUSI 746, MUSI 747, MUSI 748, MUSI 749, MUSI 751, MUSI 752, MUSI 753, MUSI 754, MUSI 755, MUSI 756, MUSI 757, MUSI 758, MUSI 759, MUSI 760, MUSI 761, MUSI 762, MUSI 763, MUSI 764
Performing Ensemble: select from the following courses 5, 6, 78
MUSI 441, MUSI 442, MUSI 448, MUSI 450, MUSI 452, MUSI 453, MUSI 454, MUSI 455, MUSI 456, MUSI 457, MUSI 459, MUSI 460, MUSI 462, MUSI 463, MUSI 464
EDUC 500Exploring Teaching4
EDUC 605Educational Perspectives in Critical Times4
EDUC 701Human Development & Learning: Cultural Perspectives4
EDUC 751BMethods of Inclusive Secondary Education: Literacies, Learning, and Transitions4
Total Credits58-59
1

 Vocal track students take 2 credits. Instrumental track students take 3 credits.

2

 Required for Vocal track.

3

 Required for Instrumental track.

4

 Required for Vocal track.

5

Students in the Bachelor of Music Education program are required to complete 8 credits of ensemble; a maximum of 8 ensemble credits may be counted towards graduation. Students will enroll in one conducted ensemble (MUSI 450 Symphony, MUSI 452 Wind Symphony,MUSI 453 Symphonic Band, MUSI 441 Concert Choir, MUSI 442 Chamber Singers, MUSI 460 Jazz Band, MUSI 454 UNH Marching Band) in every semester of their enrollment at UNH.

6 of these required ensembles must be on the student’s primary instrument and 4 credits must be in a traditional conducted ensemble (MUSI 450 Symphony, MUSI 452 Wind Symphony, MUSI 453 Symphonic Band, MUSI 441 Concert Choir). For instrumentalists, at least 1 semester of participation in MUSI 454 UNH Marching Band) and MUSI 460 Jazz Band are highly desirable.

6

Guitar music education majors will take four semesters of MUSI 464 Guitar Ensemble and four semesters of a traditional conducted ensemble (MUSI 450 Symphony, MUSI 452 Wind Symphony, MUSI 453 Symphonic Band, MUSI 441 Concert Choir). Therefore, guitarists have a minimum of only 4 semesters required on their primary instrument.

7

Piano music education majors will take four semesters of MUSI 455 Collaborative Piano and four semesters of a traditional conducted ensemble (MUSI 450 Symphony, MUSI 452 Wind Symphony, MUSI 453 Symphonic Band, MUSI 441 Concert Choir). Therefore, pianists have a minimum of only 4 semesters required on their primary instrument.

04
Student Learning Outcomes
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Program Learning Outcomes
  • Students will exhibit the skills necessary for artistic expression at the highest possible level as defined by their particular area of concentration in solo and small ensemble (not conducted) and large ensemble (conducted) settings.
  • Students will exhibit competency in musicianship and analysis through: their understanding of musical forms and processes; aural, verbal and visual analyses; skill in performance; academic, pedagogical, and compositional applications; rudimentary ability to create derivative or original music.
  • Students will demonstrate familiarity with musical literature from the formal concert repertory and from musical traditions outside of that repertory. Students will demonstrate the ability to place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
  • Students will demonstrate collegiate-level skill in the English language and competence in written and oral communication in English.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use technologies current to their area of specialization for professional development and entrepreneurship, and career preparation and promotion.
  • Students demonstrate ability to lead students to increased musical knowledge and advancing musical performance.
  • Students demonstrate knowledge of age-appropriate vocal and instrumental pedagogy.
  • Students demonstrate an understanding of best practices and applicable learning theories in music education.
  • Students demonstrate the ability to prepare classes and rehearsals via score study and lesson planning that includes awareness of needed modifications.
  • Students aurally discern accuracy and expressive elements in student performances.
  • Students demonstrate the ability to assess their pupils’ learning and progress in conjunction with best educational practices.
  • Students are able to assess the success of their own class teaching and rehearsals.

Explore Program Details

01
Checklists & Forms
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Use these checklists to track your completion of major requirements. Always check with your advisor if you have any questions.

For Majors Entering Fall of 2021 and Earlier

For Majors Entering in AY 2023

For Majors Entering Fall of 2023 and Later

More to Explore

Auditions
Careers
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Departmental Honors
Declaring a Major
Research
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