Majors  >  Music  >  Teacher Certification in Music

The USAO Music Teacher Certification Program is offered through the Division of Arts and Humanities and combines liberal arts learning with teacher preparation. Its goal is to prepare individuals to become effective music teachers and obtain an Oklahoma Teaching Certificate in music. This program is a standards-based program, based upon the standards and guidelines set forth by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the State Competencies, and the findings of "Effective Teacher" research. Collectively, these standards and research findings provide the knowledge base for what music teachers should know and do. Individuals successfully completing this program qualify to obtain an Oklahoma teaching certificate to teach music in grades PK-12.

At least two trimesters of summer enrollment will be necessary to complete all requirements in music within four years. This program is both state and nationally accredited. Since USAO teacher certification programs are nationally certified by The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) certification in other states is simplified. It is recommended that certification be initially obtained in Oklahoma prior to seeking certification from another state.

A program checklist for a degree in music with teacher certification (vocal and instrumental) is provided below. Students wishing to pursue a teaching certificate in music should consult Dr. Dan Hanson, the music education advisor, Music Department, Davis Hall.

Program Requirements

• Pass the General Education Examination
• Admission to the Teacher Education Program
• Satisfied the Foreign Language Competency Requirement
• Satisfied the Professional Portfolio Requirement
• Admission to the Professional Trimester
• Overall Grade Point Average 2.5
• 2.75 Grade Point Average in Certification Area
• Successful Completion of Certification Exams
• Completion of the courses listed to the right
• Choose the choral or instrumental emphasis

Choral Emphasis (17 hours)

• Six hours of MUSC 1051 Concert Choir
• Three hours of MUSC 3513 Voice Diction and Pedagogy
• Two hours of MUSC 4112 Choral Conducting
• Two hours of MUSC 4562 Secondary Vocal Methods
• Four hours of piano as a secondary instrument

Instrumental Emphasis (19 hours)

• Four hours of brass, woodwind, percussion or strings (one credit each
• One hour of MUSC 1021 Class Voice or MUSC 1051 Concert Choir
• Six hours of MUSC 1081 Concert Band
• Two hours of MUSC 4572 Secondary Instrumental Methods
• Two hours of MUSC 4212 Instrumental Conducting

Note: Items on this page and page links are intended for informational purposes only. Please consult the current USAO catalog for actual class requirements for this or any other major field of study. Current USAO students should consult their advisor.