10.1 General Description of Program

The San José State University School of Music & Dance offers a program for the preparation of K-12 music teachers that has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the National Association of Schools of Music. Graduates of this program are in demand throughout the state in public and private education, and job placement is currently at 100 percent. Although the music credential is under the “secondary” credential area in the College of Education, it is the credential program that certifies music specialists at all levels, K-12. All public school music teachers must hold the K-12 California music credential. While SJSU provides two areas of emphasis, the California K-12 credential allows individuals to teach any public school music courses, and SJSU students are prepared accordingly.

10.2 Academic Preparation

Students who elect to prepare for the K-12 single subject secondary credential in music must complete a five-year program at the university. The first four years are in the School of Music & Dance (BM in Music Education). During the fifth year of study the student completes professional courses and student teaching through the College of Education.

Students in music education must complete the core and support music courses required of all School of Music & Dance music majors. Additionally, they must complete courses to pass subject matter competency required for admission to the College of Education. Starting in the fall of 2005, the following courses are required for preparation and admittance into the Single Subject Credential Program:

Musc 1AB, 2AB, 3AB, and 4AB (Music Music Systems I, II, III, and IV) 12 units

Musc 30-37 and 130-137 (Lessons) 8 units

Musc 150A, 152, 153, or 154 (Major Ensemble) 8 units

Musc 13 (Music Technology) 1 unit

Musc 40A, 140B-C, or 148A-C (Improvisation) 2 units

Musc 12, 110, and 111 (Music History) 9 units

Musc 25AB (Music in World Cultures) 3 units

Musc 120 (Worlds of Jazz) 3 units

Musc 102 (Orchestration) 3 units

Musc 103 (Form and Analysis) 3 units

Musc 147AB (Beginning/Advanced Conducting) 4 units

MuEd 140 (Foundations of Music Education) 3 units

MuEd 142 (Introduction to Music Education) 1 unit

Musc 150-161 (Ensemble outside major area) 2 units

AND

Instrumental Emphasis:

Musc 26A (Voice Fundamentals) 1 unit

Musc 28 (Guitar Fundamentals) 1 unit

Musc 125A (String Fundamentals) 2 units

Musc 125B (Woodwind Fundamentals) 2 units

Musc 125C (Brass Fundamentals) 2 units

Musc 125D (Percussion Fundamentals) 1 unit

Musc 126 (Marching Band Techniques) 1 unit

MuEd 170A (Teaching Instrumental Music) 2 units

MuEd 175 (Practicum in Music Education) 3 units

OR

Choral/General Emphasis:

Musc 28 (Guitar Fundamentals) 1 unit

Musc 125A (String Fundamentals) 1 unit

Musc 125B (String Fundamentals) 1 unit

Musc 125C (Brass Fundamentals) 1 unit

Musc 125D (Percussion Fundamentals) 1 unit

Musc 141AB (Applied Lyric Diction) 2 units

Musc 185A (Music for Children) 3 units

MuEd 170B (Teaching Choral Music) 2 units

MuEd 175 (Practicum in Music Education) 3 units

Credential candidates must pass all proficiencies (piano, ear training, sight singing, conducting, and fundamentals courses). Progress will be monitored through an advisement sheet held by the Coordinator of Music Education, and updated during your advisement meetings.

10.3 Advising of Music Education Major and Credential Students

All students who plan to work toward the K-12 California music credential must attend music education meetings each semester and meet with the Music Education Coordinator for advisement periodically. These essential meetings inform the student of any changes in departmental or state requirements that affect the credential candidates, and will allow you to stay on track in the scheduling of your classes. Additionally, all music education majors must belong to the SJSU MENC Collegiate Chapter (see Student Organizations, 9.2).

10.4 Music Education Assessment Portfolio and Exit/Entrance Interview

The Music Education Portfolio is meant to be a collection of resources that will serve you as you begin your career, and a way to collect materials to apply for the fifth year of study (below). It should demonstrate your knowledge as a musician and teacher. It will be your portfolio, so be creative in developing this document. The following must be included, but you may also decide to include other items:

A. Introduction/Cover Letter stating who you are and the nature of your professional goals.

B. Resume.

C. CBEST Scores

D. Letters of recommendation (at least three) reflecting different areas of expertise (i.e., from a professor, classroom teacher, principal, employer, or superintendent).

E. Statement of Music Education Philosophy.

F. Section with notes and materials from fundamental courses, music education courses, and other courses that may serve you as a teacher.

G. 2-3 sample lesson plans, projects, tests, or student assessments developed by you.

At the completion of your program, you will present your portfolio at an exit/entrance interview with the Coordinator of Music Education. During this interview you may also complete application materials for the fifth year of study credential program (below).

10.5 The Fifth Year Credential Program

Admission to the fifth year of study for the credential includes the following requirements:

A. Subject matter competency, achieved through:

1. Completion of a state-approved music education bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (such as SJSU).

OR

2. Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (such as SJSU) and passing scores on the CSET exams in music. This option may ONLY be exercised with the permission of the music education advisor, and you may be advised to take courses to better prepare you to teach.

AND

B. A passing score on the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST).

C. Achievement of the current state-mandated GPA in all undergraduate work (2.94).

D. Writing exam, administered during the music education subject matter competency review and interview.

E. Portfolio and Interview (see below 10.4 above).

F. Other requirements as outlined in the secondary education program within the College of Education.

The first semester of the fifth year is devoted to coursework and student teaching supervised by the College of Education faculty. The School of Music and Dance faculty supervise the second semester of student teaching, and students are placed within their area of specialty at a location approved by the Coordinator of Music Education. Finally, there is a two semester professional methods sequence; Methodology for Music Educators, MuEd 370A (Elementary, K-8), and MuEd 370B (Secondary, 9-12). This sequence may be completed during the fifth year, or may be taken before graduation during the senior year.