Music Education Degree

A degree in instrumental music education certifies students to teach music in K-12 classrooms. With this music major, you’ll learn the basics of all band instruments, curriculum design and implementation, classroom management and more! This program is perfect for those interested in conducting their own band and helping students reach their musical potential. Is there anything more fulfilling than helping a student play their first note? 

Here are just a few examples of the courses you’ll take: 

• Aural skills 
• Music theory 
• Instrumental composition and arranging 
• Elements of conducting

• View the Academic Catalog
• View the 4-Year Plan

Have you ever wanted to conduct your own choir? Do you love singing? If so, this program could be for you. Our vocal music education major teaches students how to be successful choral conductors and certifies them to teach choir in K-12 classrooms. You’ll also learn how to play the piano, if you don’t already do so. Looks like it’s time to dust off the old piano books!   

Vocal music education students may also audition for music groups such as Tower Choir, University Chorale and Concert Choir. 

Here are just a few examples of the choir courses you’ll take: 

• Music theory 
• Choral composition and arranging 
• Choral conducting 
• Classroom behavior and management in music education 
• Approaches in elementary general music 

• View the Academic Catalog
• View the 4-Year Plan

No. Scholarships are open to anyone - not just music majors! Performance scholarships are awarded on the basis of music auditions and academic achievement. You may be expected to submit an audition tape to be considered for certain music scholarships.  

Northwest has first-year, admissions-based undergraduate student scholarships available. Music-specific scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and music auditions. For specific information about music scholarships, students are encouraged to reach out to a Northwest music faculty member or by emailing the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at fparts@nwmissouri.edu.

Extended certification allows students to add an additional certificate to their major. For example, if you are majoring in instrumental music education, you have the option to add on the vocal music education extended certification. This would allow you to teach vocal music education in a Missouri K-12 classroom in addition to instrumental music education. While extended certification is not mandatory, it’s a great idea for those who want to keep their options open after graduation.   

A music education degree at Northwest certifies you to teach in several states. View a cumulative list of which states you’ll be eligible to teach in after graduation.

Note: Northwest advisors work with each student to ensure their requirements are met through provision of additional coursework. Students who live in a state where Northwest programming is not accepted can attest that they will seek employment in a state that it is accepted.