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

REAL Curriculum

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.

Major Requirements (102-105 credits)

Professional Education Courses (29 credits)

Additional Outside Coursework (6 credits)

• MATH 122 - Math Content for Teachers II (GE) OR
• STAT 200 - Introduction to Statistics (GE)
• PHYS 230 - The Physics of Sound

Vocal/Choral Track (12 credits)

• MUSC 261 - Second Year Class Piano (GE)
• MUSC 262 - Second Year Class Piano (GE)
• MUSE 357 - Vocal Pedagogy
• MUSE 344 - Teaching Choral Music
• MUSE 358 - Choral Literature and Materials
• MUSE 355 - Choral Conducting
• MUSC 458 - Accompanying (2 credits required)

Instrumental Track (10-11 credits)

• MUSE 348 - Woodwind Techniques (2 credits required)
• MUSE 349 - Brass Techniques
• MUSE 350 - Percussion Techniques
• MUSE 351 - String Techniques
• MUSE 356 - Instrumental Conducting
• MUSE 360 - Marching Band Techniques
• MUSE 364 - Jazz Techniques

College of Education and Human Development Requirements

• 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.

Requirements for Admission to Music Teacher Education

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.

Teacher Education Program Requirements

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.

REAL Curriculum

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.

Major Requirements (96-102 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements

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

Total Credits Needed for Degree (120-125)

REAL Curriculum

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).

Major Requirements (82-93 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements

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.

Open Credit Hours (39 credits)

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

Total Credits Needed for Degree (121-132 credits)

Additional Information

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.