Music | Bachelor of Music: Music (Education)
Program Notes:
Offered modalities: Program is available to students on-campus. Some course offerings are available both in person and online..
Restricted Minors: Students may not pursue the music minor with this major program.
Overview:
The Bachelor of Music in Music Education is for students seeking a career as a K-12 school music teacher. The degree qualifies you for certification in the state of Kansas in only four years of study and a total of 120 credit hours. Students with the dedication and skill to shape the next generation of musicians will study music theory, history, analysis, pedagogy, and a range of educational topics. Select a specialization of band, orchestra, choir, or general music. The State of Kansas shares license reciprocity with most states, so your professional music education training can take you most anywhere you want to go! Share your love of music through teaching!
The College of Education delivers teacher education coursework for this program, including admission to teacher education and licensure procedures leading to certification.
FHSU is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
Program Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 34 | |
| Required Courses | ||
| Music Core | 30 | |
| Directed Choices | ||
| Ensembles | 7 | |
| Applied Lessons | 5 | |
| Applied Lessons (Upper Division) | 2 | |
| Music Education | 6 | |
| Music Education Emphasis Area | 10 | |
| Secondary Education | 31 | |
| Open Electives 1 | 0 | |
| Total Hours | 125 | |
- 1
Open electives are the credit hours required to reach a minimum of 120 total hours and 45 upper division hours. The number listed assumes all courses are completed at FHSU as listed. This number may vary if students transfer courses, or have individual substitutions allowed. Students should speak with their advisor if either situation applies to determine if the number will vary, and to ensure they enroll in a minimum of 45 upper division hours.
Students entering within 1 year of high school graduation will take UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar and may apply that hour in the open elective category.
Program Requirements
General Education
All undergraduate degrees require completion of the Kansas Systemwide General Education.
Courses identified with GE on this page may satisfy a general education requirement in addition to the identified degree requirement. Students who apply a degree requirement to satisfy a general education requirement will typically add an equal number of hours to the university elective category. This flexibility may allow you to complete a minor or certificate within the 120 hour degree. Transfer students are especially encouraged to select these courses in completing General Education requirements to maximize the likelihood of completing the degree with 120 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 34-35 | |
Effective in Fall 2025 the math pathway course identified below is required for this degree.
The General Education Math Pathways course identified for this major is MATH 101 Contemporary Mathematics . All students pursuing this degree program will be required to complete this course or the corequisite support course. Students who place into a higher level math course may be able to satisfy this requirement; consult with your Academic Advisor for additional information.
Placement measures for MATH 101 Contemporary Mathematics include:
- Math ACT: 19 or higher OR
- Math SAT: 510 or higher OR
- ALEKS PPL: 30 or higher OR
- Accuplacer QAS: 255 or higher OR
- HS GPA and Course Grade: 3.00 cumulative GPA (unweighted) and C- or higher in Second Semester Algebra 2 or Integrated Math 3 OR
- Institutional Measure
Students who do not meet any of the placement measures listed above will need to register for the corequisite support course: MATH 100 Contemporary Mathematics with Review
Note: MUS 181 Music Theory I and MUS 361 World Music are required courses in the major and can be applied to the Arts and Humanities area of the general education requirements. Additionally, the Secondary Education major requires TEEL 231 Human Growth and Development, which can be applied to the Social and Behavioral Sciences area.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Core | ||
| MUS 181 | Music Theory I GE, OC, OL | 3 |
| MUS 182 | Aural Skills I OC, OL | 1 |
| MUS 183 | Music Theory II OC, OL | 3 |
| MUS 184 | Aural Skills II OC, OL | 1 |
| MUS 192 | Music Styles and Context OC | 3 |
| MUS 281 | Music Theory III OC | 3 |
| MUS 282 | Aural Skills III OC | 1 |
| MUS 283 | Music Theory IV OC | 3 |
| MUS 284 | Aural Skills IV OC | 1 |
| MUS 491 | Music History I OC, OL | 3 |
| MUS 492 | Music History II OC, OL | 3 |
| MUS 361 | World Music GE, OC, OL | 3 |
| MUS 661 | Instrumental and Choral Arranging OC | 2 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Recital Attendance and Senior Recital
The Bachelor of Music degree also requires attendance at recital every semester and performance in a Senior recital. Students will be expected to enroll in MUS 001 Recital Attendance, or MUS 002 Introduction to the Study of Music, or the senior recital course (MUS 030 - MUS 049) appropriate to the concentration every semester they attend FHSU. These are non-credit courses and do not count toward the 120 hours needed for graduate. There is no charged tuition.
Piano Proficiency
Students are required to pass the piano proficiency exam. Students unable to pass the exam may take MUS 121 Group Piano I, MUS 122 Group Piano II, MUS 121 Group Piano I, and MUS 122 Group Piano II.
Ensembles & Applied Lessons
All students must complete 8 units of Ensemble credit. Students must participate 8 semesters. Students also take lessons each semester. They take the lower division lessons for the first two years, and upper division lessons the second two years. Specific registrations are noted in the areas when required for the concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ensembles | 7 | |
| Concert Choir OC | ||
| FHSU Bands OC | ||
| Symphonic Band/Wind Ensemble OC | ||
| Hays Symphony OC | ||
| Applied Lessons II | 5 | |
| Applied Lessons II: Bassoon OC | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Cello OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Clarinet OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Double Bass OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Electric Bass OC | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Euphonium OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Flute OC | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Guitar OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Harpsichord OC | ||
| Applied Lessons: Horn OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Lute OC | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Oboe OC | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Organ OC | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Percussion OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Piano OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Saxophone OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Trombone OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Trumpet OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Tuba OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Violin OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Viola OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons II OC | ||
| Applied Lessons II: Voice OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons III | 2 | |
| Applied Lessons III: Bassoon OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Cello OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Clarinet OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Double Bass OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Electric Bass OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Euphonium OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Flute OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Guitar OC, OL | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Harpsichord OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III:Horn OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Lute OC | ||
| Applied Lessons:Oboe OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Organ OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Percussion OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Piano OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Saxophone OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Trombone OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Trumpet OC | ||
| Applied Lessons: Tuba OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Violin OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Viola OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III OC | ||
| Applied Lessons III: Voice OC | ||
Music Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Education | ||
| MUS 277 | Early Field Experience: Music Education OC | 1 |
| MUS 287 | Conducting Techniques OC | 1 |
| MUS 288 | Conducting: OC | 1 |
| MUS 612 | Elementary & Secondary General Music Methods OC | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Music Education Emphasis Areas
Students must fulfill all courses from one area
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Band (Brass/Percussion/Woodwinds) | ||
| MUS 123 | Vocal Techniques for the Instrumentalist OC | 1 |
| MUS 401 | Band Methods and Literature I OC | 2 |
| MUS 402 | Band Methods and Literature II OC | 2 |
| MUS 404 | String Techniques OC | 1 |
| MUS 405 | Woodwind Techniques OC | 1 |
| MUS 406 | Brass Techniques OC | 1 |
| MUS 407 | Percussion Techniques OC | 1 |
| MUS 410 | Jazz Ensemble Methods OC | 1 |
| Total Hours | 10 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Strings/Woodwinds | ||
| MUS 123 | Vocal Techniques for the Instrumentalist OC | 1 |
| MUS 404 | String Techniques OC | 1 |
| MUS 405 | Woodwind Techniques OC | 1 |
| MUS 406 | Brass Techniques OC | 1 |
| MUS 407 | Percussion Techniques OC | 1 |
| MUS 408 | Orchestral Methods and Literature OC | 3 |
| MUS 617 | Pedagogy OC | 2 |
| Total Hours | 10 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Voice/Piano/General | ||
| MUS 153 | English/Italian/Latin Diction OC, OL | 1 |
| MUS 253 | German/French Diction OC | 1 |
| MUS 403 | Choral Methods OC, OL | 2 |
| MUS 613 | Advanced Elementary School Music Methods OC | 3 |
| MUS 615 | Vocal Techniques and Materials OC, OL | 3 |
| Total Hours | 10 | |
- OL
Course is offered through FHSU Online
- OC
Course is offered on-campus
Teacher Education Admission Requirement
Admission to Teacher Education requires two math classes. As only one may be applied to the general education requirements this adds three hours to the degree.
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Education
The Bachelor of Science in Education with a emphasis in Secondary Education is available only as part of a dual major in conjunction with a major in an academic teaching field approved by the KSDE at the PreK-12 and 6-12 levels. The teaching fields available at FHSU for students interested in licensure at middle or high school levels are art, biology, business, chemistry, earth/space science, English, modern languages (Spanish), journalism, mathematics, music, physical education, physics, psychology, technology education (communications; power, energy, transportation; production), history and government. For requirements in each content, please contact the appropriate teaching area departmental office. Students wishing to complete the requirements for the Secondary Education major must also meet the Teacher Education Program admission requirements. This program follows the Conceptual Framework for Teacher Education at Fort Hays State University.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary Education Core | 19 | |
| Courses from field of study | variable | |
| Student Teaching | 12 | |
| Total number of credit hours varies based on chosen field of study | ||
General Education
All undergraduate degrees require completion of the Kansas Systemwide General Education.
Courses identified with GE on this page may satisfy a general education requirement in addition to the identified degree requirement. Students who apply a degree requirement to satisfy a general education requirement will typically add an equal number of hours to the university elective category. This flexibility may allow you to complete a minor or certificate within the 120 hour degree. Transfer students are especially encouraged to select these courses in completing General Education requirements to maximize the likelihood of completing the degree with 120 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 34-35 | |
Effective in Fall 2025 the math pathway course identified below is required for this degree.
Secondary Education students are required to complete the math pathway course (MATH 101 Contemporary Mathematics or MATH 110 College Algebra) identified by their content discipline major. Should any majors require MATH 250 Elements of Statistics as the math pathway course either MATH 101 Contemporary Mathematics or MATH 110 College Algebra may be chosen as the second math course for the teacher education program admissions. Students placing into an advanced math course may be able to satisfy the general education and program admission requirement; consult with your Academic Advisor for additional information.
Program Admission Requirements & General Education Courses
To earn an undergraduate degree at FHSU, you must complete 34 hours of General Education coursework. For the Secondary Education degree the following classes typically applied to the general education requirements must be completed with the specified grade for admission to the teacher education program, these include:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English Composition I (Grade C) GE | 3 |
| ENG 102 | English Composition II (Grade B) GE | 3 |
| COMM 100 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication (Grade B) GE | 3 |
| or COMM 304 | Intermediate Interpersonal Communication | |
| MATH 110 | College Algebra (Grade C) GE | 3 |
| or MATH 101 | Contemporary Mathematics | |
| MATH 250 | Elements of Statistics (Grade C) GE | 3 |
For a current list of all teacher education admission requirements check out the programs website
Secondary Education Requirements
These requirements are in addition to the requirements for the primary degree
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary Education Core Non-Restricted Courses | ||
| TEEL 202 | Foundations of Education (Grade C) | 3 |
| TEEL 231 | Human Growth and Development (Grade C) GE | 3 |
| TECS 301 | Introduction to Instructional Technology (Grade C) | 3 |
| ___ 277 Early Field Experience (Grade C) | ||
| Secondary Education Core Restricted Courses (Admission to Teacher Education Required) | ||
| TESP 302 | Educating Students with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| TEEL 431 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| TESS 494 | The Secondary School Experience | 4 |
| Student Teaching Courses | ||
| TESS 496 | Student Teaching Secondary | 11 |
| TEEL 675 | Seminar in Education I | 1 |
Total Secondary Education Courses: 31 Credit Hours. The 31 credit hours doesn't include method classes in the discipline or additional cognates necessary for specific fields.
Secondary Education programs in the Sciences also require:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TESS 406 | Science Teaching Methods | 2-3 |
-
All program courses must be completed with a C or better
-
Major requires 2.75 GPA
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All bachelor degrees require: | ||
| GPA of 2.0 on FHSU courses & 2.0 on all coursework (Higher program requirements prevail over the 2.0 when set) | ||
| A minimum of 30 hours earned from FHSU with a grade of D, C, B, or A | ||
| Successful completion of an upper division Writing and Information Literacy course (Most majors contain a course designated) | ||
| A minimum of 45 hours of recognized upper division credit | ||
| A minimum of 120 hours of recognized college credit | ||
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All bachelor degrees require: | ||
| GPA of 2.0 on FHSU courses & 2.0 on all coursework (Higher program requirements prevail over the 2.0 when set) | ||
| A minimum of 30 hours earned from FHSU with a grade of D, C, B, or A | ||
| Successful completion of an upper division Writing and Information Literacy course (Most majors contain a course designated) | ||
| A minimum of 45 hours of recognized upper division credit | ||
| A minimum of 120 hours of recognized college credit | ||
Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.
To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. Open electives indicate the student is free to choose courses from any subject, but students should discuss with their advisor how many of these hours must be upper division. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.
The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.