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Music Education

91´óÉñ’s program in music with all-grade (PreK-12) education licensure prepares students to be both well-prepared musicians — teaching instrumental music, vocal/choral music, or both — and outstanding educators. This endorsement allows you to become licensed to teach in all grades, PreK-12.

Our education program will give you many opportunities for classroom observation and teaching, including a full semester of student teaching. Our teacher education program is

  • Distinctives
    • Our teacher education program is 
    • Students get classroom experience within the first 5 weeks of the program.
    • Students learn reflective practice techniques so that they continue to be the best teachers in their field, year after year. 
    • Students are mentored by experienced and engaged faculty who model being excellent educators by caring for students and calling out each students' gifts. 
  • Practical Experiences

    At many colleges students don’t get into the classroom until their third year. You are in the classroom in some way nearly every semester. 

    • At 91´óÉñ, education students are in local classrooms, observing and learning, by their fifth week of classes.
    • Local school divisions are richly diverse in culture, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
    • Field experiences are embedded throughout program so that education students are in the field nearly every semester.
    • Students are in a classroom full-time during student teaching, and receive regular feedback and assistance from the classroom teacher and an 91´óÉñ representative.
    • Students may choose more than one student teaching placement to experience multiple classroom settings and locations. 
    • Student teachers also participate in Reflective Teaching Seminar class which provides additional support to students during the student teaching semester and covers valuable topics such as preparing for job searches and interviews.
  • Employability/Careers
    • The Virginia Department of Education continues to report a significant teacher shortage.
    • Completing 91´óÉñ’s Teacher Education program meets all requirements for a Virginia teaching license.
    • Harrisonburg and Rockingham County school supervisors seek 91´óÉñ  Teacher Education graduates.
    • The average starting salary for teachers in Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County Schools is around $55,000.
    • For four of the past five years, 100% of program completers who sought positions in education were employed in PreK-12 schools.
    • 91´óÉñ Teacher Education completers are known for their leadership in schools and often move on to graduate school to further specialize.
    • 91´óÉñ Teacher Education supports students who want to transfer their Virginia license in order to obtain a teaching license in another state.
  • Affordability

    Scholarships are available for music majors.

    • 99% of undergrads receive financial aid
    • The average assistance package is over $37,000
    • Over $21 million in aid is awarded each year

    Financial aid packages often include:

    Learn more by contacting  91´óÉñ's Financial Assistance Office or checking out our net price calculator.