Music Education, Advanced Certificate

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must offer a B.Mus., or a B.A. or B.S. in music, or the equivalent from an accredited college or university completed with a grade point average of 3.00 or higher. Also eligible to apply are (a) students holding other music bachelor’s degrees with sufficient course work in education and music education to be permitted to take student teaching, or (b) students holding a bachelor’s degree with at least 36 credits in music courses, including an array of analysis, counterpoint, harmony, history, conducting, performance, education, and music education courses sufficient for admission to student teaching in music. Requirements for student teaching are available from the coordinator of music education. Applicants must also offer course work including the liberal arts and sciences, one course in human development (child and adolescent development), and one course in philosophy of education. Matriculation is contingent upon admission to Brooklyn College and admission to the Conservatory of Music, including music performance audition, music education interview, theory/aural skills test, and transcript review, and TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test or 79 on the internet-based test, if required.

Program Requirements (21 Credits)

Twenty-one credits are required for this certificate. The following courses are required.

Twenty-one credits are required for this certificate. The following courses are required.

Music 6510T (two semesters); Music 6581T; Music 6582T; Music 6583T; three courses chosen from Music 6601X-6661X; Music 7201X; Music 6505T and Music 6506T; and Music 6507T.

Student Learning Outcomes

Advanced Musicianship (with depth and breadth)

• Stylistic Understanding. Ability to identify (at sight) and discuss at an advanced level musical scores in terms of period, genre, possible composer, and identifying musical traits.
• Analytical Skills. Ability to listen to, analyze, explain, and discuss at an advanced level a musical score, i.e., with sufficient sophistication and appropriate attention to details such as key areas, harmonies, motives, rhythm, phrasing, texture, dynamics, register, color, text-music relationships, serial techniques, musical grammar and rhetoric, etc.
• Terminology. Understand the musical terminology pertaining to the history, theory, composition, and performance of music. Music-education students will also be expected to demonstrate knowledge of terminologies from recognized standard pedagogies in music. (The required vocabulary list for study will be updated periodically to reflect new trends in the field.)
• Effective Communication. Well crafted, original term projects or well documented, cogently organized research papers on musical topics at an advanced level.
• Technology Awareness. Familiarity and practical experience with technologies required for the student’s program (e.g., notation software, presentation software, composition software, etc.).

Student Learning Outcomes specific to Advanced Certificate in Music Education

Follows State-mandated requirements for initial teaching certificate.

• Awareness of and experience with successful grade-appropriate methods and materials for teaching music at the childhood, elementary, middle, and secondary level.
• Ability to conduct and select appropriate repertoire for music ensembles of varying sizes and types for any K–12 grade level.
• Understanding of and ability to teach musical instruments from at least three musical families (e.g., upper strings, lower strings, brass, woodwinds, guitar, voice, percussion) other than one’s primary instrument.
• Demonstrated understanding of the stages and traits of adolescent development as well as techniques (and solutions) for teaching students with special needs.

Admissions Requirements

• Fall Application Deadline: April 15, rolling admission
• Spring Application Deadline: November 15, rolling admission

Supporting Documents for Matriculation

Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

• Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a course-by-course international transcript evaluation. See Graduate Admissions for more information.
• Two letters of recommendation
• Résumé
• A brief biographical statement of 500 to 1,000 words describing your reasons for pursuing the specific graduate program to which you are applying and your future professional goals
• All students who wish to submit an audition virtually or request an in-person audition must fill out the Graduate Audition Request Form.

Interview with department.

Master’s degree not required.

Note: Students with a study visa cannot obtain the New York State Initial Certification to teach.

Required Tests

• F-1 or J-1 international students must submit English Proficiency Exam. TOEFL—98, IELTS—6.5, PTE—58–63, Duolingo—105–160.

All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.

Non-Degree Applicants

This program accepts non-degree applicants. All students (matriculated or not) must pass the conservatory audition, present a transcript with a 3.0 GPA, and interview with the coordinator.

More Information

Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.

Contact

Riki Braunstein, Program Coordinator

409 Whitehead Hall
E: rbraunstein@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 1176

Or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.4536

Office Hours

Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:

BC Admissions Appointment Tool