With a music degree, you’ll be prepared for a career in music performance while studying in an accredited program.
DEGREE TYPE
Bachelor's Degree
PROGRAM TYPE
Undergraduate
LOCATION
Main Campus - Cape
Music Education: Instrumental
BME
On-Campus
Main Campus
DEGREE TYPE
Bachelor's Degree
PROGRAM TYPE
Undergraduate
LOCATION
COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT
Learn by leading to inspire the next generation of musicians.
A instrumental music education major will prepare you for a career teaching and state certification for K-12 general and instrumental music education. And, with an emphasis in general education, liberal arts, experiential learning, and leadership, we know you’ll be ready.
Where Learning Meets Fearlessness in Instrumental Music Education
In instrumental music education courses at SEMO, you will study the pedagogy, techniques, literature of your applied instrument, as well as music theory and music history.
- Attend classes on Southeast’s River Campus, a campus solely dedicated to the arts.
- Gain hands-on experience working in K-12 classrooms during your program.
- Be prepared for your career as Southeast’s program has one of the highest required field hour experiences in the state.
- Interact with nationally recognized performing artists and educators.
- Study in a program that is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
What Can You Do with an Instrumental Music Education Degree?
Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. Our boldly supportive faculty will provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.
Graduate School Opportunities of Recent Instrumental Music Education Graduates
Illinois State University Indiana University Longy School of Music University of Florida University of Kansas University of Louisville University of Northern Colorado University of South Florida Washington University
Internship Opportunities of Recent Instrumental Music Education Graduates
Harrow International School, Beijing, China Paducah (KY) Symphony St. Louis Symphony Youth Excellence on Stage – Middle East
Orchestra Position Opportunities of Recent Instrumental Music Education Graduates
Kansas City Symphony Paducah (KY) Symphony St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphony Chorus Memphis Symphony
Teaching Position Opportunities of Recent Instrumental Music Education Graduates
- Belt Valley Public Schools (MT)
Perish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX Santa Fe (NM) Public Schools Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Sikeston, Fred e ricktown, Perryville, St. Louis, O’Fallon, and Columbia (MO) Public Schools and the Ft. Zumwalt School District (MO )
Teacher Certification
Upon completion of Southeast’s Teacher Preparation Program an individual is eligible to be recommended for a Missouri Teaching Certificate in K-12 vocal music if the student has the following:
- A final 3.0 GPA in both pedagogy and content coursework.
- A passing score on the appropriate licensure exam(s) as required by the Missouri
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. - A passing score on the Teacher Candidate Instrument of the Missouri Educator Evaluation
System. - MSHP/FBI background clearance from no earlier than one year prior to the date of the application for certification.
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Music Education - Instrumental Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.
Instrumental Music Education Outcomes & Careers
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$73k
High School Teacher
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a high school teacher is $73,700.
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$102k
Music Professor
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a music professor is $102,240.
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$84k
Music Director
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a music director is $84,230.
The Knowledge to Fuel Fearless Futures
The instrumental music education curriculum includes core coursework to prepare you for a career teaching music. Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
Professional Education Requirements - 40 credit hours
(A minimum grade of "C" is required in each professional education course.)- EF400 Seminar in Educational Issues for Student Teachers (1)
- EX390 Psych and Education of the Exceptional Child (3)
- ME222 Principles of Teaching Music (3)
- ME270 Field Experience Block II (1)
- ME370 Field Experience Block III (1)
- ME371 Techniques of Teaching General Music: Elementary and Secondary (3)
- ME465 Student Teaching (12)
- PY222 Psychological Development in Adolescence (3)
- SE502 Content Literacy Methods (3)
- SE550 Pedagogy I: Principles of Effective Teaching in Middle and Secondary Schools (3)
- SE553 Pedagogy II: Secondary School (4)
- SE385 Pedagogy III: Advanced Methods of Middle and Secondary Teaching (3)
Required Courses – 62 credit hours
- ME001 Senior Recital (0)
- ME255 Brass Techniques (1)
- ME260 String Techniques (1)
- ME261 Percussion Techniques (1)
- ME265 Woodwind Techniques (1)
- ME372 Instrumental Techniques: Elementary and Secondary (3)
- ME400 Marching Band Techniques (2)
- ME450 Synthesis of Music Education Methods (2)
- MH181 The World of Music (3)
- MH251 History and Literature of Music to 1800 (3)
- MH252 Evolution of Musical Style Since 1800 (3)
- MM001 Aural Skills Entry Level Proficiency (0)
- MM002 Aural Skills Exit Level Proficiency (0)
- MM100 Music Fundamentals (3)
- MM102 Intermediate Harmony and Melody (3)
- MM105 Aural Skills I (1)
- MM106 Aural Skills II (1)
- MM203 Advanced Harmony, Melody, and Form (3)
- MM204 Music Theory through Composition, Arranging, and Orchestration (3)
- MM207 Aural Skills III (1)
- MM208 Aural Skills IV (1)
- MP1xx Applied Music (1+1)
- MP2xx Applied Music (1+1)
- MP3xx Applied Music (2+2)
- MP4xx Applied Music (1)
- MU001 Piano Proficiency (0)
- MU002 Sophomore Review (0)
- MU110 Recitals and Concerts (seven semesters) (0)
- MU151 Functional Piano I (1)
- MU152 Functional Piano II (1)
- MU220 Vocal Techniques (2)
- MU253 Functional Piano III (1)
- MU254 Functional Piano IV (1)
- MU341 Basic Conducting (2)
- MU344 Instrumental Conducting and Literature (2)
- MU3xx Instrumental Ensemble (7)
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
First Year
Fall Semester (17-18 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- EN100 (3)
- MH181 or ME222 (3)
- MM001 (0)
- MM100 (3)
- MM105 (1)
- MP1xx (1)
- MU3xx (large ensemble) (1)
- MU110 (0)
- MU151 (or proficiency) (1)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (18-19 Hours)
- ME222 or MH181 (3)
- MM102 (3)
- MM106 (1)
- MP1xx (1)
- MU110 (0)
- MU152 (or proficiency) (1)
- MU3xx (large ensemble) (1)
- PY222 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: Maintain 2.75 cumulative GPA, Complete MEP
Second Year
Fall Semester (18-19 Hours)
- MH251 (3)
- MM203 (3)
- MM207 (1)
- MP2xx (1)
- MU110 (0)
- MU253 (or proficiency) (1)
- MU3xx (large ensemble) (1)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (18-19 Hours)
- MH252 (3)
- MM002 (0)
- MM204 (3)
- MM208 (1)
- MP2xx (1)
- MU001 (0)
- MU002 (0)
- MU110 (0)
- MU254 (or proficiency) (1)
- MU3xx (large ensemble) (1)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: Maintain 2.75 cumulative GPA, Passing score MoGEA
Summer Courses are encouraged to avoid 18-hour semesters.
Third Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- EX390 (3)
- ME255 (1)
- ME260 (1)
- MP3xx (2)
- MU110 (0)
- MU220 (2)
- MU341(2)
- MU3xx (large ensemble) (1)
- SE550 (3)
Spring Semester (18 Hours)
- ME270 (1)
- ME261 (1)
- ME265 (1)
- ME371 (3)
- MP3xx (2)
- MU110 (0)
- MU344 (2)
- MU3xx (large ensemble) (1)
- SE502 (3)
- SE553 (4)
Fourth Year
Fall Semester (12 Hours)
- ME001 (0)
- ME370 (1)
- ME372 (3)
- ME400 (1)
- ME450 (2)
- MP4xx (1)
- MU110 (0)
- MU3xx (large ensemble) (1)
- SE385 (3)
Spring Semester (13 Hours)
- EF400 (1)
- ME465 (12)
Milestone: Prior to last semester: Passing score Mo Content Exams, passing score on MEES, 3.0 GPA in Education and content courses.
A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.
“Critical Courses” are italicized and bold. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.
Teacher Preparation Program Admission Requirements
This program requires specific courses and a certain number of completed hours for admission.
What will it cost?
Opportunities in Music at SEMO
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Music Scholarships
We know that paying for an education isn’t easy, but it is worth it. That is why The Department of Music has scholarships available just for its’ students. See all of the scholarships available to Department of Music students.
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Performance Venues
You know at a school with an entire campus dedicated to the arts, you will get to perform in some beautiful space. Explore our performance venues now.
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Auditions
Ready to find your next performance group or take your next step towards a degree? Learn more about the audition process at SEMO.
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Ensembles
No matter what instrument you play. We have a performance group for you to gain the experience necessary to make your passion, your career.
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
Get Funding for Your Education
Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.
Accreditation
Related Programs
With a vocal performance music education degree, you’ll be prepared for a career teaching the next generation of performers.
DEGREE TYPE
Bachelor's Degree
PROGRAM TYPE
Undergraduate
LOCATION
Main Campus - Cape
COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT
With a music instrumental performance degree, you’ll be prepared for a career in music performance.
DEGREE TYPE
Bachelor's Degree
PROGRAM TYPE
Undergraduate
LOCATION
Main Campus - Cape
COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT
With a major in vocal performance, you’ll be prepared for a career in music performance.
DEGREE TYPE
Bachelor's Degree
PROGRAM TYPE
Undergraduate
LOCATION
Main Campus - Cape
COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT
Phone
Location
River Campus Seminary, 254
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 7800
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701