Potential Careers

Upon completion of a degree in music education, students are able to choose from a variety of career options within the music teaching profession and associated areas. Employment as an elementary music specialist or as a middle school or high school band, choir or orchestra director is typically the first choice of graduates. Other professional choices could include church music education programs, early childhood programs or private studio teaching.

A master’s degree in music education is often sought by many music educators in order to become more specialized within a specific field.

Graduates of the TCU Music Education program are successfully employed in schools nationwide and lead some of the most respected music programs in Texas. Job placement rate is 100 percent.

Music Education Majors

The TCU School of Music is one of the University’s designated Centers of Excellence. The National Association of Schools of Music has accredited undergraduate and graduate music programs at TCU.

Students pursing a degree in music education take courses in music teaching methods, conducting, instrumental or vocal techniques and private lessons. In addition music theory, music history, piano and performing ensembles are part of the curriculum. Before student teaching, students must pass proficiencies in their performance concentration (instrumental or vocal) and piano.

Student teaching occurs during the last semester of the senior year. Students need to have passed all music and School of Education proficiencies and meet grade point average requirements before applying for student teaching. Student teachers are assigned a 14-week student teaching experience combining elementary and secondary levels in area schools. Cooperating teachers and a university supervisor help direct and promote teaching skills. In order to complete Texas teacher certification, students must pass the pre-ExCET and ExCET tests during student teaching.

First Hand Experience

TCU offers many teaching experiences before student teaching. These experiences are given at actual school settings. As an introduction to the degree program, students are required to observe various area school music programs. These observations are used to help students determine career goals. Classroom teaching is part of three different methods classes. These teaching experiences help develop students into well-prepared student teachers and music educators.
TCU also has an early childhood Music Prep program and students are encouraged to assist with these classes.

Scholarships and Assistantships

Scholarship support is available for talented undergraduate and graduate music majors. Assistantships that include full-tuition remission plus a stipend are available for graduate students.

For further information about the TCU Music Education Program, contact:

Sheri Neill
Director of Music Education
Texas Christian University
School of Music
TCU Box 297500 - Fort Worth, Texas 76129
1.800.TCU.FROG
817.257.7232 Fax: 817.257.7344
music@tcu.edu