What is the Bachelor of Arts in Music Education?
The B.A. in Music Education prepares an individual for music teacher certification in South Carolina schools. Students pursuing this degree also serve in private school music programs as well as private applied music instructors.
What do students enrolled in the Music Education program do?
As a music education major, you will apply principles of the Christian faith in different musical and life settings. You do this through dedication to excellence in the study of music theory (scales, chords, chord progressions, musical forms, etc.), music history, conducting, keyboard proficiency, ensemble participation, as well as diligent practice in your applied instrument (voice, piano, organ, and wind, percussion or string instruments). You will have the opportunity to apply musical concepts using a specialized computer lab. Additionally, you will develop performance techniques and poise and receive personalized instruction from music professors for vocal and instrumental performance. On top of this, the music education major will learn the techniques to communicate the love of music in the public school setting through education coursework and significant experience in the classroom setting. The musical field is a highly competitive world. To compete in that world, the SWU music education major is expected to be driven to reach the highest levels of competence. At SWU, we have highly skilled professors who take a personal interest in guiding and inspiring each music major to achieve the plan God has for his or her musical, spiritual, and intellectual life.
Is this major right for you?
You might consider a music education major if you are passionate about music, wish to sharpen your skills as a musician, and wish to be skilled at helping others encounter the power of music. You probably have had an excellent music education experience during your middle school and/or high school years. Your music teacher inspired you by enabling you and your fellow students to excel in ways you never thought possible and now you want to be that person who motivates others to discover those same joys. This major is right for you if you understand the music education major is an involved major due to the broad scope of skills necessary to be a superior music teacher: excellence in your own performance, excellence in music knowledge and scholarship, and excellence in interpersonal skills and communication.
About our students
In our music education program, students have many opportunities to develop in areas outside the university while a student. They have been marching band, drum line, and auxiliary coaches at high schools as well as Clemson University. They have directed church choirs in the surrounding area as well as led music at local churches. They have been involved in conducting master classes sponsored by the South Carolina American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Choir and band students have participated in the South Carolina honor ensembles. The opportunities for professional music and music education development while a student is limitless at SWU.
About our graduates
When you graduate from Southern Wesleyan University with a BA in Music Education, you can join alumni and graduates in prestigious graduate schools and programs all across the nation, including:
- University of South Carolina
- University of Georgia
- Geneva College in Pennsylvania
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- Converse College
- Florida State University
- Southern Baptist Seminary
- Clemson University
- Radford University
- Lee University
You will be prepared for a career as:
- Public school choral music teacher
- Public school band teacher
- Public school orchestra teacher
- Church music director
- Private music teacher
- Private school music teacher
- Various jobs in music-related businesses
Our music education graduates have landed jobs at:
- Charleston County School District
- Anderson County School Districts
- Oconee County School District
- Pickens County School District
- Greenville County School District
- Lexington County School District
- Southern Wesleyan University
- Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church in Central, SC
- First Presbyterian Church in Pickens, SC