Â鶹ӰÊÓ is the only liberal arts university in Oregon that offers a BME + teaching license — a professional degree earned at the baccalaureate level within a rich liberal arts context that leads into full-time employment.
The BME + teaching license degree is designed to prepare students to successfully teach music in PreK-12 music education settings and in all areas of specializations (e.g., general, vocal/choral, instrumental, other). This degree also emphasizes the development of students’ performing skills.
- To gain music competencies needed for this degree, students take courses in music theory, ear training, piano proficiency, and history of music, among other courses.
- To gain teaching competencies needed for this degree, students take courses in elementary and secondary methods, methods/technique courses, conducting, methods and materials unique to areas of specialization, teaching laboratories, among other courses.
- To gain professional competencies needed for this degree, students take courses in educational psychology, classroom management, diversity and inclusion, among other courses.
- To gain performance competencies, students take weekly private lessons and perform in a variety of small and large ensembles.
This degree culminates in a semester of full-time student-teaching, during which students will be closely supervised by a university faculty and mentoring teacher. This ensures students gain the beneficial experiences that will lead to successful completion of the required professional , an Oregon Preliminary Teaching License, and first full-time job.
Pacific students can also gain early hands-on teaching experience through the Music Education Project, well before the official student-teaching period. In the Music Education Project, Pacific students teach group classes (orchestra, band, choir) as well as private lessons to children and teens, ages 6-18. Other type of classes students may choose to teach include music theory, chamber music, guitar, among others. Students receive full teaching experience including planning for semester and school year, choosing music for their classes, assessing progress of students in their classes, communication with parents and students, organizing concerts, and recruiting. Music education students who teach in Music Education Project earn college credits as well as financial compensation for their teaching of both group classes and private lessons.