Music, B.M. (R, E, A)

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree select one of the following concentrations: Music Education, with a vocal/choral or instrumental track; Music Therapy; Music Business; Music Composition; or Music Performance. 

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education prepares students for a career as a choral director, instrumental director, or general music teacher in public schools. In accordance with certification guidelines (PK-12) established by the Commonwealth, students may choose either a vocal/choral or an instrumental concentration.

Vocal/choral students pursue applied music study in voice, keyboard or guitar. Instrumental students have applied study on a band/orchestra instrument or guitar. Both concentrations receive a solid foundation of pedagogical skills and professional knowledge, with many opportunities to observe and participate in public school settings, PK-12.

Virginia has reciprocal licensure agreements with 48 other states. The high demand for public school music teachers has resulted in a near 100 percent placement rate for graduates of this program.

This major fulfills the R, E, and A areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students develop skills relevant to the major through Mathematics, Science, and Writing Intensive courses (Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning), major courses in music (Humanistic or Artistic Expression) and music history and education courses (Cultural or Behavioral Analysis). Students need a major and/or minor to fulfill the L area to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements.

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Music Education concentration includes 3-6 credits of writing intensive courses.

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Bachelor or Music in Music Education program includes 14-16 general education credits.

Music Education majors must enroll in an ensemble course each semester until requirements for student teaching are fulfilled (minimum of 7 credits). 

• Students on the Instrumental Track must enroll in a major instrumental ensemble (Guitarists: MUSC 436 is a major ensemble). 
• Students on the Vocal/Choral Track must enroll in a choral ensemble.
• Guitar majors (vocal track) must register for a choral ensemble and Guitar Ensemble.

Students may choose:

• 6 semesters of applied music with a summative jury and 1/2 recital OR
• 7 semesters of applied music with a summative jury and no recital

Prior to taking MUSE 459 students must be formally admitted to the Music Teacher Education Program.

• Guitarists on Vocal/Choral Track may substitute MUSC 369:MUSC 370 for one credit of MUSC 458.

• Pianists on Vocal/Choral Track may substitute MUSC 152: MUSC 153 for both semesters of MUSC 458.

• Instrumentalists (vocal track) must minor in voice, achieving Level II Applied Voice in addition to Major Applied: Level VI.

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements.

• Guitar/Keyboard students (instrumental track) must register for Wind Band (MUSC 310) or Chamber Orchestra (MUSC 309) a minimum of 1 semester.  Placement in MUSC 310/MUSC 309 is subject to conductor approval.
• Guitarists may substitute MUSC 369 for MUSE 360.

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

• Passing scores on the basic skills tests required for licensure by the state of Virginia.
• Praxis/VCLA and Application for Teacher Education Program deadline—”students must report passing scores (or equivalent) for Praxis II and VCLA exams, and successfully apply for Student Teaching through the College of Education and Human Development within one academic year after completion of MUSE 459/559.”
• Matriculation through RU Music Education program mandate—”in order to qualify for student teaching, all Music Education coursework should be completed at RU. Equivalent coursework documented from NASM accredited institutions may be reviewed for inclusion in a student’s degree program. Students must begin student teaching within one academic year of MUSE 459/559 completion.”

• Professional Education
• MUSE 462. Student Teaching (K-12).

The student teaching requirement is seven weeks in an elementary school setting (Kindergarten through Grades 5 or 6) and seven weeks in a secondary school setting (Grades 6 or 7 through Grade 12). Student teachers are expected to devote the bulk of their time and energies to meeting the commitments of student teaching. Other commitments (work, other university courses, personal responsibilities) are not considered acceptable excuses for failing to fulfill all the requirements of student teaching. If such interference occurs, the student teacher will be given the option of withdrawing from student teaching or making the personal adjustments necessary to give full attention to the program. Students must receive written permission from the Director of Music Education before being permitted to schedule additional coursework during the semester of student teaching.

Music education majors are required to maintain a 2.75 GPA on all work at Radford University, 2.75 GPA on all work attempted in the major, and grades of “Pass”, ”B” or better in all professional coursework* prior to student teaching.

*Music Education Professional Coursework includes:

• All students: MUSE 117, MUSE 300, MUSE 353, MUSE 400, MUSE 446, MUSE 447, and MUSE 459 
• Vocal/Choral: MUSC 143, MUSC 261, MUSC 262, MUSE 344, MUSE 355, MUSE 357, MUSE 358, and MUSC 458
• Instrumental: MUSE 348, MUSE 349, MUSE 350, MUSE 351, MUSE 356, MUSE 360, (MUSC 369 for guitarists), and MUSE 364

Prior to taking MUSE 459 , students must be formally admitted to the Music Teacher Education Program. The requirements for admission are:

1. Successful screening interviews and review of dispositions before the Music Education faculty;
2. Successful completion of:
   • All Students: MUSC 100, MUSE 117, MUSC 212, MUSC 215, MUSE 300, MUSE 353, MUSE 400, MUSE 446, MUSE 447, Applied Major Level 4;
   • Vocal/Choral: MUSC 143, MUSC 262, MUSE 344  or MUSE 355 (depending on entry year), MUSE 357 , MUSE 358, MUSC 458 (and Applied Minor (Voice) Level II for guitarists and pianists
   • Instrumental: MUSC 162, MUSE 348, MUSE 349, MUSE 350, MUSE 351, MUSE 360 (MUSC 369 for guitarists), MUSE 364

within the GPA requirements set above.

To enter the Teacher Education Program and student teach, music education students must submit

• Passing scores (or equivalent) on the basic skills tests required for licensure by the state of Virginia
  • Praxis Core: Mathematics
  • VCLA
  • Praxis II: Music Content
• Completed application for Student Teaching
  • For FALL placements: DUE the third Monday of February prior to student teaching
  • For SPRING placements: DUE the third Monday of September prior to student teaching
• Matriculation through RU Music Education program mandate: “In order to qualify for student teaching, all Music Education coursework should be completed at RU.  Equivalent coursework documented from NASM accredited institutions may be reviewed for inclusion in a student’s degree program.  Students must begin student teaching within one academic year of MUSE 459/559 completion.”

MUSE 462  Student Teaching (K-12)

The music education student teaching requirement is seven weeks in an elementary school setting (Kindergarten through Grades 5 or 6) and seven weeks in a secondary school setting (Grades 6 or 7 through Grade 12). Student teachers are expected to devote the bulk of their time and energies to meeting the commitments of student teaching. Other commitments (work, other university courses, personal responsibilities) are not considered acceptable excuses for failing to fulfill all the requirements of student teaching. If such interference occurs, the student teacher will be given the option of withdrawing from student teaching or making the personal adjustments necessary to give full attention to the program. Students must receive written permission from the Director of Music Education before being permitted to schedule additional coursework during the semester of student teaching.

The Bachelor of Music in Music Business is designed to provide students with a professional degree in music that is focused on the commercial music, performing arts, and entertainment industries.

Students are trained as professional musicians to better understand the needs of future clients and employers. As such, students are required to audition and major on an instrument or voice, and take regular music coursework that is supplemented with business classes, music industry specific courses, practical field experiences and an internship.

Students will have a choice of four minors (business administration, entrepreneurship, management, or marketing). Coursework for the degree program is enhanced with required practical field experience observations in a music industry establishment.

A projects course each year for in-depth research of the music industry or work on projects to support the student’s professional experience. Participation in a two-month internship at a business site commensurate with the student’s interests is required upon completion of all coursework.

This major fulfills the R, E, and A areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students develop skills relevant to the major through Mathematics, Science, and Writing Intensive courses (Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning), major courses in music (Humanistic or Artistic Expression) and music history and education courses (Cultural or Behavioral Analysis). Students need a major and/or minor to fulfill the L area to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements.

* MATH 121 recommended for Music majors. Requirement may be fulfilled through placement testing.

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Music Business concentration includes 0-6 credits of writing intensive courses.

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Music Business concentration includes 17-35 general education credits.

7 semesters of ensemble participation (minimum) chosen from the following:

6 semesters of applied music (12 credits)

All Music Business students must complete one of the following minors administered through the College of Business and Economics: Business Administration, Marketing, Management, or Entrepreneurship.

See Business Administration Minor for course requirements.

See Enterpreneurship Minor for course requirements.

See Management Minor for course requirements.

See Marketing Minor for course requirements.

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

• A minimum 2.0 overall cumulative GPA;
• A 2.75 GPA on all work attempted in the major with a music prefix;

The music therapy concentration is uniquely structured to provide not only an intensive study of music, but also an in-depth understanding of the behavioral and natural sciences (such as psychology and biology). Music used as a therapeutic modality is frequently applied to a wide range of people with psychological, physical, emotional, social or cognitive disabilities. The curriculum is structured to provide an intensive coverage of these areas throughout the four-year program.

This major fulfills the R, A, and E areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students develop skills relevant to the major through Mathematics, Science, and Writing Intensive courses (Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning), major courses in music (Humanistic or Artistic Expression) music history and psychology (Cultural or Behavioral Analysis).

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy program includes 3 credits of writing intensive courses.

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements.

7 semesters of ensemble participation (minimum) chosen from the following:

Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or above in all music courses taken at Radford University to be eligible for graduation with a baccaulaureat degree in music.

Music therapy students must successfully complete all courses in the major with a grade of C- or better. Courses in the major for which a grade lower than C- was earned must be repeated prior to starting the internship. Courses in the major include music core courses and music therapy courses.

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

All music therapy students who are moving from the Field Studies placements to the Upper Field Studies placements will register for a zero credit qualifying exam class. Students must pass the exam to be able to move forward in the program. If a student does not pass the exam they will have one more opportunity to take the exam again within the first week of the following fall semester and prior to the drop/add date for the semester. If the student do not pass the exam after the second try, they will be required to re-take any courses associated with the area(s) of deficiency such as clinical musicianship courses or content area courses. This will be decided in consultation with the program advisor. Students who do not pass the exam will not be permitted to enroll in Upper Field Studies 1 until the deficiency has been remediated. This may delay progress toward internship and graduation and may extend the total time in the music therapy program.   

MUSIC THERAPY INTERNSHIP

Music therapy students must complete ALL coursework requirments (general education, REAL designations, music core, and music therapy courses) before registering for an internship.

In order to complete the B.M. with a concentration in music therapy all students must complete a total of 1200 supervised clinical hours. Approximately 180 hours are addressed during the student’s time at Radford. The reminder of the hours must be completed at a verified internship site, preferably one that has been approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Students should not facilitate the process of creating an internship, nor should they reach out to agencies  that are not approved by AMTA unless the student has consulted with the program director and their program advisor to determine if Radford University has already established a contractual relationship with the organization and the organization serves as a university affiliated site. All internship affiliations are established by the program director in collaboration with the site.

Music Therapy students are required to complete their internship within two calendar years of the completion of their academic coursework.  In instances where students have not completed the internship they will be required to have a review of their professional competencies as outlined by AMTA, to include but not limited to clinical musicianship skills on piano, voice, guitar, percussion, knowledge of diagnoses, session planning approaches for clients across the developmental continuum, ethical standards, and other related professional skills. The review will be conducted by the music therapy faculty at a time that is convenient for both parties. Subsequent to the review students may be required to take additional music therapy coursework before being approved for an internship.