A female music teacher teaching the keyboard

Keyboard & Guitar Concentrations

This program is intended for those students who wish to teach music in the schools at the elementary, middle, and/or high school level. Students who complete this program have many career options in teaching and performance and can opt to pursue graduate study and seek teaching positions in higher education.

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Plan Your Degree

Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
A1: ENGL 1101

English Composition 1

3
A2: MATH 1001, 1111, OR 1113

Quantitative Skills & Reasoning, College Algebra, or Precalculus

3
B2: XIDS 2002

(Recommended) What do you know about the Worlds of Music

2
MUSC 1000

Comprehensive Music Laboratory

0
F: MUSC 1301

Music Theory 1

3
F: MUSC 1401

Aural Skills 1

1
F: MUSC 1501

Keyboard Skills 1

1
F: MUSC 2600

Principal Applied

1
F: MUSC 27X0

Marching Band or Concert Choir

1

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1101 with a grade of C or better.
  • Complete Area A2 Math.
  • Complete MUSC 1301, 1401, and 1501.
  • Satisfactory attendance in MUSC 1000.
  • Satisfactory performance in MUSC 2600.

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
A1: ENGL 1102

English Composition 2

3
MUSC 1000

Comprehensive Music Laboratory

0
F: MUSC 1302

Music Theory 2

3
F: MUSC 1402

Aural Skills 2

1
F: MUSC 1502

Keyboard Skills 2

1
F: MUSC 2600

Principal Applied

1
F: MUSC 27X0

Concert choir or a concert band

1
D1: Science + Lab 4
B1: Written and Oral Communication 3

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1102 with a grade of C or better.
  • Complete MUSC 1302, 1402, and 1502.
  • Satisfactory attendance in MUSC 1000.
  • Satisfactory performance in MUSC 2600.

15 Fall Credit Hours + 17 Spring Credit Hours = 32 Credit Hours

Additional Information:

  • Music courses must be taken as scheduled. Failure to pass a sequential Music course with a minimum grade of C will result in a delay of progression of one year. Having to repeat a course does not affect progression in other courses, except where the unsuccessful course is a prerequisite.
  • College of Education courses (EDUC, SPED, CEPD) also require a minimum grade of C.
  • ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102, XIDS 2002, and MATH 1001, 1111, or 1113 must be taken in the first year of study. Otherwise, Core curriculum courses may be taken in any order.

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
MUSC 1000

Comprehensive Music Laboratory

0
MUSC 2301

Music Theory 3

3
MUSC 2401

Aural Skills 3

1
MUSC 2501

Keyboard Skills 3

1
F: MUSC 2600

Principal Applied

2
F: MUSC 27X0

Marching Band or Concert Choir

1
MUSC 3605

Voice Techniques and Materials

1
E1: HIST 1111 OR 1112

World History

3
C1: Fine Arts 3
E4: Social Science 3

Milestones:

  • Complete MUSC 2301, 2401, and 2501.
  • Satisfactory attendance in MUSC 1000.
  • Satisfactory performance in MUSC 2600.
  • Take GACE Program Admission Assessment (unless exempt).

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
MUSC 1000

Comprehensive Music Laboratory

0
MUSC 2302

Music Theory 4

3
MUSC 2402

Aural Skills 4

1
MUSC 2502

Keyboard Skills 4

1
MUSC 2600

Principal Applied

2
F: MUSC 27X0

Concert choir or a concert band

1
MUSC 3601

Woodwind Techniques and Materials

1
E2: HIST 2111 OR 2112

US History

3
EDUC 2110

Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education

3
D1: Non-lab Science 3

Milestones:

  • Complete MUSC 2302, 2402, and 2502.
  • Satisfactory attendance in MUSC 1000.
  • Satisfactory performance in MUSC 2600 & level change exam.

18 Fall Credit Hours + 18 Spring Credit Hours = 36 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
MUSC 1000

Comprehensive Music Laboratory

0
MUSC 3604

String Techniques and Materials

1
MUSC 3701

Western Music before 1800

3
MUSC 3850

Conducting

3
MUSC 3900

Music in the Elementary Schools

3
MUSC 4600

Principal Applied

2
MUSC 47X0

Concert Choir or a concert band

1
EDUC 2120

Exploring Sociocultural Perspectives on Diversity in Educational Contexts

3
D2: Math, Science, and Technology 3

Milestones:

  • Complete MUSC 3701 DSW requirement.
  • Satisfactory attendance in MUSC 1000.
  • Complete field experiences in MUSC 3900.
  • Satisfactory performance in MUSC 4600.

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
MUSC 1000

Comprehensive Music Laboratory

0
MUSC 3230

Technology in Composition & Improvisation

2
MUSC 3602

Brass Techniques and Materials

1
MUSC 3702

Western Music After 1825 and World Music

3
MUSC 4600

Principal Applied

2
MUSC 47X0

Concert choir or a concert band

1
MUSC 40X1

Choral or Instrumental Methods

3
EDUC 2130

Exploring Learning and Teaching

3
SPED 3715

Inclusive Classrooms

3

Milestones:

  • Complete MUSC 3702 DSW requirement.
  • Satisfactory attendance in MUSC 1000.
  • Complete field experiences in MUSC 4011.
  • Satisfactory performance in MUSC 4600.

19 Fall Credit Hours + 18 Spring Credit Hours = 37 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
MUSC 3603

Percussion Techniques and Materials

1
MUSC 4040

Principles and Methods of Music Learning and Teaching

3
MUSC 4200

Orchestration and Arranging

2
MUSC 4600

Principal Applied

2
MUSC 47X0

Concert choir or a concert band

1
Optional: MUSC 4941

Half Recital

0
CEPD 4101

Educational Psychology

3
E3: POLS 1101

American Government

3
C2: Humanities 3

Milestones:

  • Complete Professional Education sequence.
  • Complete Field Experiences in MUSC 4040.
  • Satisfactory performance in MUSC 4600 and recital hearing.
  • Apply for Graduation.

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
MUSC 4186

Teaching Internship

3
MUSC 4187

Teaching Internship

3
MUSC 4188

Teaching Internship

3

Milestones:

  • Complete Field Experiences in MUSC 4186, 4187, and 4188.
  • Take GACE Music content exams.

18 Fall Credit Hours + 9 Spring Credit Hours = 27 Credit Hours

Crush Your Course

First Year:

  • Develop an accountability group with your music core classmates.
  • Create a personal Google calendar with classes, rehearsals, and practice time.

Middle Years:

  • Meet regularly with your faculty mentor.
  • Attend office hours with your professors.
  • Get admitted to the Teacher Ed program.

Last Year:

  • Take the GACE.
  • Prepare and perform your senior recital.
  • Get ready for your student teaching internship.

Find Your Place

First Year:

Middle Years:

  • Get your chamber ensemble credits - perform in multiple ensembles.
  • Settle in to a daily practice routine that you develop with your applied teacher.

Last Year:

  • Participate in a mock audition or solo competition.
  • Develop a private studio teaching private music lessons to local students.

Broaden Your Perspectives

First Year:

  • Attend multiple concerts outside of your area.

Middle Years:

  • Attend an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus concert at the Woodruff Center.
  • Explore summer workshop/seminar possibilities in your area.

Last Year:

Connect Off-Campus

First Year:

Middle Years:

  • Attend rehearsals of some of our local High School/Middle School programs.
  • Consider a summer employment opportunity in music.

Last Year:

  • Explore summer internship opportunities in music.
  • Shadow a local music director or professional musician.

Take Care of Yourself

First Year:

  • Visit Health Services and UREC to explore all your options on campus.
  • Balance your coursework, personal practice, and concert attendance.

Middle Years:

Last Year:

Pave Your Path

First Year:

Middle Year:

Last Year:

  • Request references from your professors/supervisors.
  • Attend interview workshops.
  • Apply to graduate programs.

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Don't forget to check out Wolf Watch to explore degree requirements!