If you’re planning to become a music teacher at a university, this means you’ll need to become a professor. In the first instance, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline. This might be a bachelor of arts in music, a bachelor of music, or a bachelor of fine arts in music. During these studies you will specialize in a particular musical niche, for example, playing an instrument, singing, song writing, or performance.
This undergraduate degree should then be followed by a postgraduate qualification. For university level teaching, this postgraduate qualification should be a doctorate, most commonly a PhD. In some cases you may be accepted to study a PhD straight after achieving your bachelor’s degree, however, the usual path is to complete a master’s degree first. Performing in your field will be important during this time, as will finding music teaching positions that allow you to gain teaching experience.
Finally, gaining a doctoral degree, will allow you to apply for tenure track music professor roles. Tenure track is a professor’s pathway to promotion and academic job security. It’s the process by which an assistant professor becomes an associate professor and then a full professor.
A bachelor’s degree is required to start teaching music in schools or college. You must also must complete an educator preparation program. Many accredited universities and colleges provide the opportunity to earn your teacher certification at the same time as your bachelor’s degree. You need to pass certain exams before earning a music teacher certification. This is to ensure that prospective teachers have the proper knowledge and understanding of music education and the principles of music. Furthermore, there will be specific tests for the level you intend to teach. That is, there will be a different test for an elementary teacher to that of a college lecturer.
For college music teachers, the degree should either be a bachelor’s in music or in music education, where subjects may include early childhood music, choral conduction, and musical theory.
Like university professors, college professors usually need to hold a master’s degree and in some cases a PhD. The qualification requirements may vary from state to state, so it’s always worth researching the area you intend to teach in.
Public school music teachers are expected to have a combination of education, experience, knowledge of music principles, basic teaching skills, and state certification.
In terms of education, you should have a bachelor’s degree in music or music education. This shows that you are competent in the subject since you have studied it for years. You will be expected to have a thorough understanding of the key components of music education; theory and composition, music history, pedagogy and performance.
It is mandatory that all prospective teachers take the relevant state exams. In many states you’ll be expected to take a basic core competency exam. There are also tests based on the grade level you plan to teach (middle school, secondary school, etc.). In addition to these, you’ll take a test meant specifically for music teachers which will measure your knowledge and skills specific to music.
To become a private music teacher, you don’t necessarily need to have a degree. As long as you know how to play an instrument, are friendly, have great communication skills and love to share your knowledge with others, you can teach!
Let’s look at this in more detail.
