What Degree Do You Need to Be a Music Teacher?
Teachers have the opportunity to inspire and influence the young minds that will become tomorrow's leaders. In the case of music teachers, students may be inspired to go on to pursue additional studies at the college level and become teachers themselves, or they may go on to a career in musical performance. The education required to be a teacher is similar in most states and usually requires some level of licensing and certification as well.
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Associate Degree
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There are several different paths most teaching candidates can take to becoming a music teacher. A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement in most states to become a teacher. However, for some students it is necessary to obtain an associate degree before obtaining a bachelor's degree. Associate degrees are typically offered by community colleges and provide students with an inexpensive alternative to a four-year institution. An associate degree in a liberal arts field will provide sufficient foundation for studies at the bachelor's degree level. Students can choose a liberal studies degree or they can choose a more focuses program like an Associate of Arts in Music to prepare them for bachelor's degree studies.
Bachelor's Degree
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As the minimum education requirement for most states, a bachelor's degree in music education is one typical career path students follow to become music teachers. These degree programs typically blend a curriculum focused on teaching theory, child psychology and music teaching. It is possible, however, to obtain a bachelor's degree in music and seek an alternative pathway into the teaching field. Most states offer an "alternative certification" program for teaching candidates who hold a bachelor's degree but have not completed a teacher education component in their curriculum. Some states, such as Texas, require only that teaching candidates complete a degree in a field similar to the one they want to teach and complete a teacher education curriculum as part of their elective courses, or do so after they complete their degree program.
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Master's Degree
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A master's degree is not required to begin a career in teaching in most states, but in some states, such as New York, where alternative certification is offered, a master's degree in music is one way that candidates with a bachelor's degree in another field can move from their current field to the education field and obtain a teaching certificate. Master's degrees are typically required as an entry-level degree only in instances where the teaching candidate's background does not give them sufficient background in education to move into the teaching profession.
Licensure and Certification
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All 50 states require teachers to be certified to teach in their area of specialization and to hold a valid license issued by the state's board of education. Certification generally involves passing an examination or series of examinations once students have completed their teacher education program and degree. Some states only require that teachers complete a subject-area exam that tests them on their knowledge of the subject they teach. Other states require tests on a candidate's knowledge of teaching theory and practice and basic skills in math, reading and writing.
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- Photo Credit Music image by mhiser from Fotolia.com
