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Explore all Undergraduate Programs

Music Education

The musical training and educational experience you need to teach the next generation of musicians.

A music student practices music dictation
A music student practices music dictation

Types

Bachelor

Location

On-Campus

Credits

84*

Cost

$9,875

Share your passion of music to tomorrow's great musicians!

Music inspires, enriches, and elevates our lives. It is an essential part of our culture, and the music education field exists to ensure this passion is passed on to the next generation. Share your love of music with today’s youth – and watch as it changes their lives for the better! A degree in music education provides the perfect foundation for a fulfilling career and future. From classical music to modern, you’ll be challenged with learning theory and technique as you work with faculty members who are accomplished musicians. You will graduate with the certification you need to become a licensed music teacher and leave your mark on the next generation of young musicians!

Anchor: Stats

5%

Industry Growth

96%

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Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog. 

General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Music Education

In this program, you'll study the theory and craft of music and learn about great musicians of the past and present. You’ll also get hands-on experience with the craft, working with our experienced professors to develop your own musical talent. Over the course of your degree program, you’ll combine music courses with education courses that will give you the tools you need to effectively shape young people's understanding and appreciation of music, pinpoint their musical strengths, and coach them to a higher skill level musically. 

Course Requirements

** 42 Credit Hours in professional education

  • Music Education majors should take   as a substitution in professional education and/or general education requirements.
  • Music majors must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in prerequisite courses.
  • Transfer students may have the pattern of prerequisites altered at the discretion of the Department Chair.
  • Voice majors must take   - Class Voice and Diction
  • Piano majors will substitute   - Piano Pedagogy for   - Class Piano I and   - Class Piano II 
  • All Music Education majors: All candidates pursuing the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education MUST be accepted into the Teacher Education program before they will be allowed to register for   - Fundamentals of Secondary Education or ELEM 430, Classroom Management and Behavior.
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  • Choose 6 Credit Hours of Ensembles outlined in the  

42 credit hours in professional education. View academic catalog for more information.

Music Performance Scholarships

Music Scholarships are available to students who plan to participate in music ensembles at UC. An audition is required to apply for a scholarship.

A student performs with her guitar during a music event

Take the Next Step

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Program Mission

The mission of the Department of Music is to provide you with opportunities to grow in understanding of musical concepts, acquire musical skills, and develop aesthetic values, all in preparation for a successful career in music.

Understand the basics of music theory and composition as well as the basics of primary education philosophies.
Grasp the basic concepts and skills concerning the emphasis area of music education.
Develop your musical performing skills and comfortability leading a classroom.
Learn how to create and implement lesson plans, classroom management skills, and examinations.
Strengthen your oral, written, organizational, and cooperative skills.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Music Education Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Music Teacher: $53,260

Music Teacher: $53,260

As a music teacher, you’ll instruct students in public or private schools and provide musical education, teaching both performance and music theory. In addition, you may lead various ensembles, like choirs or marching bands. You’ll pass your knowledge of singing, playing various instruments, reading music, and understanding musical concepts and styles to the next generation of musicians. 

Private Music Teacher: $57,532

Private Music Teacher: $57,532

As a private music teacher, you’ll teach the art of music to individuals or groups outside a school setting. Some private music teachers specialize in specific instruments or areas of music. Private music teachers offer a more individualized instructional environment where students can get feedback and further develop their musical talents. 

Choir Director: $44,759

Choir Director: $44,759

As a choir director, you’ll be responsible for leading and directing a choir during performances and concerts as well as scheduling and organizing rehearsals, selecting musical pieces, and managing budgets.

Conductor: $43,581

Conductor: $43,581

Similar to a choir director, as a conductor, you’ll lead musicians in musical performances and concerts. You will develop an orchestra and direct individual musicians to make the performance as a whole come together while listening critically and directing the interpretation of the music. As a conductor, you could lead local orchestras or teach in a variety of different learning environments.

Music Minister: $30,071

Music Minister: $30,071

As a music minister in a church or place of worship, some of your responsibilities will include planning, directing and rehearsing church choirs, worship teams, and musicians. You’ll oversee pianists, guitarists, drummers and singers before and during services, as well as having the opportunity to teach, coach and mentor church members through music to develop their talents and spiritual lives.

Music Therapist: $51,839

Music Therapist: $51,839

As a music therapist, you’ll use musical theory and practice and apply them in a therapeutic setting, using a combination of songwriting, lyrics, imagery and conversation to assess the emotional and mental well-being of their patients. Through musical application, music therapists help patients learn, grow, heal, and further their treatment. 

Choral Ensembles

Students can audition for these ensembles and earn performance scholarships as well as course credit.

Choir students perform at the Christmas concert

Cumberland Voices

Cumberland Voices is our chamber choir (MUPR 111) including an auditioned ensemble of 14-16 singers.
Chorale students pose for a group photo

Chorale

Chorale (MUPR 110) is considered the primary large choral ensemble and is open to all students on campus.

Bands

Students can audition for these ensembles and earn performance scholarships as well as course credit.

man playing trumpet at a fotball game

Marching Band

The Marching Band (MUPR 114) is the most visible part of the music program and is made up of students from all majors on campus.
Band students perform at a Christmas concert

Concert Band

Concert Band (MUPR 115) performs concerts during the spring semester and is open to all students, faculty and community members.
The pep band performs at the Patriot Party

Pep Band

The Pep Band (MUPR 119) is the primary athletic band for the spring semester.

Additional Ensembles

Students can audition for these ensembles and earn performance scholarships as well as course credit.

Jazz musician playing drum set

Percussion Ensemble

The Percussion Ensemble (MUPR 109) is designed to give the percussionist an intensive playing experience.
Jazz students perform during a spring day

Jazz Ensemble

Jazz Ensemble (MUPR 116) performs music from a variety of styles including swing, funk, latin, ballads, bebop and fusion.
A choir student performs during the senior recital

Chamber Ensembles

In addition to large ensembles, UC offers various smaller chamber ensembles for student participation.
Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

The most common career options for someone with a music education degree are teaching positions, be that in a high school or elementary school setting. If your interests lie outside the classroom, though, there is still a world of options for you! Some music education graduates use their degree to launch a career in music, honing their craft and performing and/or recording their work. Other possibilities with a music education degree include going into music ministry, private lessons, music therapy, instrument repair, and more!  

The requirements to teach in a public P-12 school system vary by state, but there are some universal requirements. You must earn a bachelor’s degree from a program that explores how to teach younger age groups and focuses on musical expression. You will likely need to do some student teaching and pass a state test to apply for a teaching certification. Then you can begin exploring job opportunities! 

Some skills that are helpful in the music education world are technical musical ability, good interpersonal communication skills, organization skills, leadership skills, behavior analysis skills, and instructional skills. 

Yes! There are plenty of things you can do with a music education degree besides teaching. Symphony director, choreographer, and musical coordinator are just a few of these options. 

Music is an integral part of being human, and music in education is just as important. Not only is music worth learning and teaching in its own right, but it can have a beneficial impact on other areas of study as well. It has been shown to help students develop language and reasoning faculties, acquire team-building skills, increase coordination, develop spatial intelligence, and learn pattern recognition. Music benefits students in other ways, helping in areas of creative thinking, self-confidence, imagination, curiosity, social interactions, and more. By training educators to teach, guide, and develop relevant music curriculum, we invest in our collective futures. 

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Music

Learn more about the music professors you will interact with.

Tara Warfield

Dr. Tara Warfield

Professor of Music
Music

Dr. Tara Warfield

Contact Information

tara.warfield [at] ucumberlands.edu
McGaw Music Building
Duane Warfield

Dr. Duane Warfield

Professor of Music/Director of Bands/Low Brass
Music

Dr. Duane Warfield

Contact Information

606-539-4331
duane.warfield [at] ucumberlands.edu
Mary McGaw Music Center Office B
Jim Corcoran

James R. Corcoran

Associate Professor/Percussion
Music

James R. Corcoran

Contact Information

606-539-4507
james.corcoran [at] ucumberlands.edu
Mary McGaw Music Center Office C
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