Courses | B.M. in Music Education (Pre-Teacher Certification)
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.
Admission Requirements
All students seeking admission must demonstrate musical background and performance strengths necessary for successful completion of the stated curriculum. Admission into Biola University does not guarantee admission into the Conservatory as a music major. A student will be admitted to the Conservatory of Music after:
- Meeting requirements for University admission.
- Completing a Conservatory application with the required number of references.
- Completing a Conservatory audition.
After acceptance and upon entrance, students will be assessed with regard to their performance levels. They will also be given the option to take placement surveys in musicianship, written theory, and/or keyboard skills, or they may simply choose to begin their studies at the introductory level. Specific information concerning the content of these surveys and suggestions for preparation are available by contacting the Conservatory Office.
Transfer of Credits
Most courses taken at other regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States will be accepted on a comparable course basis. The following core courses will transfer directly:
- Theory I and II (MUSC 154 and MUSC 164)
- Musicianship I, II, III, and IV (MUSC 153, MUSC 163, MUSC 353, and MUSC 363)
- Introduction to Piano and Keyboard Skills I (MUSC 100 and MUSC 118)
In order to pass out of Theory III (MUSC 354) or Keyboard Skills II (MUSC 119), the student must display proficiency by achieving favorable scores on the Theory and Keyboard placement surveys.
No credit(s) will be given for waived courses. Waiver of courses on the basis of placement surveys without comparable prior course credit will increase elective credits required.
Credit for courses taken at a non-accredited college or university will be granted only through placement or challenge surveys.
Applied Music
In order to graduate, music students must reach primary applied proficiency level standards designated for each degree program. Applied Music lessons are guided by faculty or studio artists who have expertise and professional experience in the voice or instrument under study. Studio artists are affiliated with Biola via "special employee" contracts and thus do not undergo the same process for hire as do faculty. The studio artists are all highly competent individuals who appreciate Biola and endorse the goals of the Conservatory, but their theological conceptualization has not undergone the same close review as that of the faculty. For more information, see the Conservatory Office.
GPA Requirements
Students in the degree program must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the major and receive a minimum grade of "C" in each required course.
Curriculum Requirements
Integration Seminar Requirement
All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program are required to take a Biblical Studies Integration Seminar. This requirement must be fulfilled by taking BBST 465 as "Redeeming Culture through Music."
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree are exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement in foreign language, literature, and fine arts. | ||
| United States History To 1865 1 | ||
or POSC 225 | Survey of American Government | |
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| Music Education (Pre-Teacher Certification) majors must choose either a choral or instrumental emphasis. | ||
| The Professional Teacher Preparation Program leading to a California Teaching Credential at Biola University is subject to change in response to new legislation. Please see a credential analyst in the School of Education for current information on completing the requirements for a teaching credential. Students must consult with both their major advisor and a School of Education advisor. 2 | ||
| MUSC 102 | Voice Class 3 | 1 |
| MUSC 118 | Keyboard Skills I 4 | 1 |
| or MUSC 261 | Keyboard Sight Reading I | |
| MUSC 119 | Keyboard Skills II 4 | 1 |
| or MUSC 262 | Keyboard Sight Reading II | |
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music 5 | 4 |
| MUSC 153 | Musicianship I 6 | 1 |
| MUSC 154 | Theory I 7 | 3 |
| MUSC 160 | Essential Technologies for Musicians I | 1 |
| MUSC 163 | Musicianship II 6 | 1 |
| MUSC 164 | Theory II 7 | 3 |
| MUSC 170 | Essential Technologies for Musicians II | 1 |
| MUSC 200 | Performing Arts Forum 8 | 1 |
| MUSC 205 | Introduction to Music Education | 2 |
| MUSC 275 | Music Area Seminar 9 | 0 |
| MUSC 315 | History of Western Art Music I: Medieval through Baroque | 3 |
| MUSC 316 | History of Western Art Music II: Classical through Romantic | 3 |
| MUSC 323 | Basic Conducting | 2 |
| MUSC 324 | Advanced Studies in Conducting | 2 |
| MUSC 328 | General Music Methods | 2 |
| MUSC 332 | Music for Children | 2 |
| MUSC 343 | Form and Analysis | 2 |
| MUSC 353 | Musicianship III 6 | 1 |
| MUSC 354 | Theory III 7 | 3 |
| Select three courses from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Music Education: Brass | ||
| Music Education: Percussion | ||
| Music Education: Strings | ||
or MUSC 430 | Pedagogy: Major Performance Area | |
| Music Education: Woodwinds | ||
| MUSC 363 | Musicianship IV 6 | 1 |
| MUSC 365 | History and Analysis of 20th Century Music | 3 |
| MUSC 410 | Music Cultures of the World | 2 |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music 10 | 4 |
| MUSC 451 | Advanced Studies in Music Education | 2 |
| MUSC 470 | Senior Recital/Final Project | 0 |
| MUSC 475 | Recital Conducting | 1 |
| Professional Education Courses | ||
| LEDU 330 | Psychological Foundations of Education | 3 |
| LEDU 341 | Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
| LEDU 425 | Secondary Content Area Reading | 3 |
| LEDU 438 | Secondary Curriculum, Differentiation, and Assessment | 3 |
| Ensemble Courses 11 | 8 | |
| Select 8 credits from the following: | ||
| Biola Chorale | ||
| Chamber Music Ensemble | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Chamber Choir | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Winds | ||
| Handbell Choir | ||
| Vocal Jazz Ensemble | ||
| University Chorus | ||
| Women's Chorus | ||
| Men's Chorus | ||
| Program Course Requirements: 76-77 credits 3 | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 12 | 60 | |
| Total Credits | 136-137 | |
- 1
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires that a teaching credential candidate must have completed a minimum 2-credit course that covers the U.S. Constitution or fulfill this requirement by examination. Biola University students may complete this requirement by taking either HIST 200 or POSC 225 with a grade of "C" or better. Students receiving AP college credit for either HIST 200 or POSC 225 will also meet this requirement. Transfer coursework must be reviewed by a credential analyst in the School of Education.
- 2
See Professional Teacher Preparation Program under Liberal Studies, Elementary Education, B.A.
- 3
Voice principal students are exempt from MUSC 102 and are required to complete 75-76 program course credits and a total of 135-136 credits for the degree.
- 4
Keyboard principal students are exempt from MUSC 118 and MUSC 119. Keyboardists must take MUSC 261 and MUSC 262.
Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano.
- 5
Must be taken for a total of 4 credits through proficiency: level 264.
- 6
Students may take the Musicianship Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Musicianship requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 153. Musicianship courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.
- 7
Students may take the Theory Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of their Theory requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 098 Introduction to Theory. The first two semesters of Written Theory courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit
- 8
7 semesters of Performing Arts Forum required for graduation; at least 1 semester must be taken for 1 credit.
- 9
Taken every semester in conjunction with MUSC 145 or MUSC 445 Applied Music. Voice, String, Composition or Piano principal students only.
- 10
Must be taken for a total of 4 credits through proficiency: level 468.
- 11
Keyboard primary students should take:
- Instrumental focus: 4 instrumental, 2 choral, 2 with use of keyboard
- Choral focus: 5 choral, 2 instrumental, 1 opera
All other students should take:
- Instrumental focus: 6 instrumental, 2 choral
- Choral focus: 6 choral, 2 instrumental
- 12
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.