Welcome
Many of the finest music teachers in Colorado and beyond are graduates of the University of Northern Colorado music education program. Our faculty includes specialists in choral, instrumental, and general music, with extensive experience as public school teachers.
UNC music education students are thoroughly trained in the discipline of music and fully prepared in the art of pedagogy. Our program is dedicated to the preparation of the best musician/teachers of the future — come visit us!
Undergraduate Degrees
Graduate Degrees
Activities & Opportunities
The music education program offers exceptional opportunities for music education students at every level. The student CMENC chapter is the largest in the state and has been named one of three outstanding chapters in the United States. The Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity has been selected as one of the top ten chapters in the nation. The UNC Collegiate Chapter of the American String Teachers Association provides opportunity for string pedagogy workshops and student camaraderie for university string majors.
The Music Technology Center and the Skinner Music Library are avenues of exploration for students and music educators. These facilities offer the latest technology in music education, research, composition and recording. Computer-assisted instruction in music history, theory, and keyboard are offered through a complete electronic piano/computer laboratory, computer synthesis workstations, and interactive audio/video facilities. Students have access to Macintosh and PC computers for research, for reviewing teaching skills via analysis of video recordings, and for gaining facility with music software programs.
Undergraduate Program
Entering students may declare a music education major upon their audition for the School of Music. Coursework for entering music education majors is similar to those for other music majors, with extensive study focused on private instruction, music theory and music history, ensemble performance, and liberal arts classes. Formal admittance to the Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) typically occurs at the end of the sophomore year, after which time additional coursework is pursued (concurrent with continued music study) which focuses on the development of pedagogical skills and understandings. Through coursework and through other opportunities in the School of Music and the College of Education, music education students interact extensively with area public school music teachers and their students. Music education students perform a public recital, typically in their junior or senior year. The program culminates in student teaching — a full-immersion, full-time, semester-long placement in elementary and secondary music programs.
UNC music education graduates earn their Colorado K-12 music teacher licensure along with their Bachelor of Music Education degree. This license may be honored in other states as well. UNC music graduates are also accepted for graduate study at institutions across the nation, as well as at UNC.
Graduate Programs
Master of Music
Music Education Emphasis
The Master of Music degree assists the professional K-12 music teacher by developing and enriching musical competencies, professional understandings and skills, and personal qualities that are essential for success in a world and profession characterized by perpetual change. The program’s structure allows extensive flexibility in designing an in-depth program based on individual career interests and professional orientation.
Doctor of Arts
Music Education Emphasis
The Doctor of Arts degree in music education emphasizes the philosophy, psychology, and history of music education, as well as research, and prepares the student for assuming collegiate faculty positions in music education and/or leadership positions in public school systems. It includes scholarship and musicianship through study in music history and literature, theory, composition and performance. This degree program places primary emphasis on a comprehensive working knowledge of contemporary music education practices in public school and college music programs and in community and cultural life. Numerous options exist for secondary emphases. The program culminates in the student’s completion of a scholarly dissertation.