About the Major

Our Music Education graduates who seek a teaching position enjoy a 100% placement rate.*

The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education provides exceptional instruction that prepares students for licensure as music teachers in the public schools and careers as music educators in all learning environments. Music Education students are musicians who want to teach, and the comprehensive curriculum includes significant applied studio instruction and multiple opportunities as performers and conductors in diverse ensembles, as well as courses in composition and songwriting, popular and contemporary music, and musical theatre. Music Education students are encouraged to pursue the Certificate in Audio and Music Production Pedagogy concurrently.

Students in all programs conduct extensive pre-clinical field experiences in K-12 music classrooms where they apply their newly acquired music pedagogy to offer quality and meaningful musical learning experiences to students. The knowledge that develops during this field work enhances their understanding of teaching in diverse educational settings and prepares the candidate for student teaching. Throughout pre-clinical and clinical work, music education students provide artistic experiences that further enrich the lives of K-12 students. 

Upon completion of the B.M. in Music Education program, our students may be found teaching in public and private classrooms nationally and around the world. Students who choose to pursue advanced degrees have received funding and assistantships to attend some of the finest music institutions in the country. Graduates also pursue other career opportunities, including as performers in professional ensembles; serving as composers, arrangers, and audio engineers; and working in university positions around the country and across the globe. Our graduates earn degrees in areas about which they are passionate, and their skills are applicable to careers in numerous professions. Your professional opportunities with a degree from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University are greater than ever! 

*Our alumni also pursue graduate studies, join Military Bands, enter the music industry profession, and other similar careers.

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Contact Information

To learn more about our degree programs, audition information, scholarships, professional development and careers, performances, faculty, and students, visit Dana School of Music or contact us at 330.941.3635. 

To schedule a personalized campus visit, contact the Cliffe College of Creative Arts Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at 330.941.2346 or sawaltman@ysu.edu. We would love to hear about your interests, show you our school, and become an important part of your future. 

Choral Music Education

Daniel Keown, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Bliss Hall 3153

330.941.3645
dkeown@ysu.edu

Instrumental Music Education

Joseph Carucci, D.M.A.
Director and Professor
Bliss Hall 3010
330.941.1439
jwcarucci@ysu.edu

Kate Ferguson, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Bliss Hall 3154
330.941.1834
keferguson@ysu.edu

J. Paul Louth, Ph.D.
Professor

Bliss Hall 3149
330.941.1829
jplouth@ysu.edu

Instrumental Jazz Music Education

Kent Engelhardt, Ph.D.

Professor
Bliss Hall 2212
330.941.1543
kjengelhardt@ysu.edu

Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the major in music education are as follows:

• Students will perform a public recital in their applied area.
• Students will analyze music, discriminate pitch, harmony, and rhythm, and perform harmonic progressions at the piano.
• Students will demonstrate critical thinking about the various historical periods, cultural contexts, and social forces that influence musical activity.
• Students will demonstrate basic keyboard proficiency, including scales, arpeggios, harmonization, repertoire, transpositions, and score reading.
• Students will demonstrate effective planning, teaching, and assessment appropriate to K-12 students in music settings.