Bachelor of Science: Music Education

For More Information on Music Education careers or to speak to a Career Counselor, contact KU Career Development Center

113 Stratton Administration Center * 610-683-4067 * [email protected] * www.kutztown.edu/careercenter

Music is a phenomenon common to all societies, a richly diverse experience that is used in many ways. Music can be a

form of communication, artistic expression, entertainment, therapy and worship.

As a Music Education major, you will study music from various perspectives including historical, theoretical,

pedagogical and performance. You will develop listening skills, critical thinking, an awareness of aesthetic principles

and contemporary technology as well as the knowledge and tools you need to be a successful music teacher.

Employers recommend one or more internships to be successful and competitive when entering this field.

Bachelor of Science: Music Education

Related skills, values, and qualities

• Ability to speak articulately, listen introspectively,

and make keen observations

• Ability to think creatively

• Self-discipline and perseverance

• Capacity for memorization and concentration

• Ability to meet deadlines

• Ability to teach, assess, plan and evaluate

• Desire and ability to work with children

• Ability to adjust to close public scrutiny and criticism

• High degree of commitment to field of study.

Common interests of Music Education majors

• Attending plays, concerts, lectures, and movies

• Participating in theater, choir, glee club, marching

band, orchestra, and/or other musical groups

• Working part-time or as a volunteer for a theatre

arts or communications department, preschool or

camp setting

• Serving as a tutor, peer counselor, or youth group

leader

• Participating in a talent or variety show, skit or play

• Joining the student council or a debate team

• Reading publications related to the performing arts

Courses Music Education majors typically enjoy

• Art

• Band, Orchestra, Choir

• Dance

• Debate

• Theater

• Public Speaking

• Interpersonal Communication

• Psychology and Sociology

KU Majors related to Music Education

Music, Cinema, Television and Media Production,

Computer Science, Mathematics, Elementary

Education, Library Science, Secondary Education,

Special Education

Artistic students may also be interested in:

Advertising*, Communication Design, English, German,

International Studies*, Literature*, PA German

Studies*, Philosophy, Professional Writing, Public

Relations*, Spanish, Speech Communication, or Studio

Art.

*minor only

For more information about the major

Contact the Music Department,

114 Old Main, 610-683-4550,

or visit www.kutztown.edu/MusicEducation

Career types associated with Music Education

(Is this a good fit for you? Are you a…)

• Social - “Helper”

• Artistic - “Creator”

• Enterprising - “Persuader”

• Enroll in the Career

Exploration Certificate.

• Attend info sessions to learn

about career development

and personal branding.

• Take a career assessment to

identify and confirm interests.

• Get involved in campus clubs

and organizations.

• Develop basic workplace skills

through jobs or volunteer work.

• Talk with professors, family,

and friends about career

ideas.

• Conduct informational

interviews with professionals

working in fields of interest.

• Develop a relationship with

your professors and faculty

advisor.

• Meet with CDC career

coach.

• Attend info sessions to learn

about resume writing, and

externships.

• Confirm your choice of major

and consider options for

double major or minor.

• Research careers of interest.

• Complete a job shadowing

(externship) experience.

• Seek meaningful employ-

ment or volunteer work in a

field related to your major.

• Explore options for under-

graduate research and

study abroad.

• Write a resume and have it

reviewed by the CDC.

• Manage your online

presence.

• Enroll in the Career Success

Certificate.

• Complete an internship and/or

undergraduate research.

• Attend info sessions about

internships, interviewing, job

search strategies, and grad

school.

• Build a LinkedIn profile and

continue to monitor your online

presence.

• Complete a mock interview.

• Build skills through research

projects, part-time employment,

and volunteer work.

• Participate in employer panels,

site visits & networking events.

• Attend internship & job fairs.

• Take on a leadership role in a

student organization or work.

• Consider graduate school

options and prepare for

admissions tests.

• Attend your senior kick-off and

other info sessions to prepare

for job search/grad school.

• Update your resume and

LinkedIn profile.

• Create cover letter drafts.

• Gain experience through

internships and/or

undergraduate research.

• Secure references for job/grad

school applications.

• Create your “30 second”

commercial.

• Meet with CDC to develop

job search strategies.

• Research employers.

• Network with professionals

through events and social

media.

• Join a professional organization

in your discipline.

• Attend the senior etiquette

dinner.

• Participate in job fairs and

on-campus interviewing.

Sample Career Titles

Music Education majors can be found working in a wide variety of career fields. Here are just some career titles

that may be of interest. Please note that some jobs may require further education and training.

To learn more about these careers, visit http://online.onetcenter.org or www.bls.gov/oco

• Adult Education Teacher

• Antiquarian Book Trader

• Assistant Principal

• Audio Visual Production Professional

• College Professor

• Day Care Administrator

• Educational Programmer

• Education & Training Administrator

• Education Management Specialist

• Educational Administrator

• Education Consultant

• Elementary School Teacher

• Financial Aid Counselor

• Guidance Counselor

• Music Attorney

• Music Copyist

• Music Critic

• Music Director

• Music Librarian

• Music Promoter

• Music Publishing Specialist

• Music Reporter

• Music Software Programmer

• Music Store Manager

• Music Stringer

• Music Teacher

• Music Therapist

• Musician

• Narrator

• Orchestra Librarian

• Peace Corps/VISTA Worker

• Piano Tuner

• Preschool Administrator

• Preschool Teacher

• Principal

• Professional Entertainer

• Publicist

• Recording Engineer

• Recording Technician

• Recreation Director

• Religion Music Director

• Royalties Broadcast Monitor

• Secondary School Teacher

• Singer

• Sound Technician

• Student Affairs Administrator

• Studio Musician

• Synthesizer Specialist

• Technical Writer

• Theatre Performer

• Tour Manager

• Union Contractor

Handshake is the primary online resource

for preparing and connecting students and alumni with em-

ployers.

www.kutztown.edu/handshake

Common Internship Sites and Employers

Music Education majors often find internships and employment in the following fields/industries.

Useful Websites for Music Education Majors

Whether you are researching related career fields, applying for internships or jobs, or planning to join

a professional association, these websites are for you!

• Public and Private Schools

• International Schools

• State and Federal Government Youth Services

• Theater

• Council for the Arts

• Entertainment

• Colleges and Universities

• Community Centers/Non-Profit Organizations

• Business and Industry

• Music Publishing Companies

• Restaurants

Industry/Employment Information

PA Department of Education

www.pde.state.pa.us

NJ Department of Education

www.state.nj.us/education

Education Week

www.edweek.org

Teachers Support Network

http://teacherssupportnetwork.com

LinkedIn Jobs

www.linkedin.com/jobs

Job/Internship Search Boards

PA-REAP

www.pareap.net

PA-Educator.net

www.pa-educator.net

Teachers-Teachers

www.teachers-teachers.com

Southern Teacher’s Agency

www.southernteachers.com

K-12jobs.com

www.k12jobs.com

Education Job Page

www.nationjob.com/education

The National Assoc. of Music Edu.

www.menc.org/careers

Professional Associations

PA School Board Association

www.psba.org

American Federation of Teachers

www.aft.org/index.html

PA State Education Association

www.psea.org

National Education Association

www.nea.org

American Music Conference

www.american-music.org

International Society for Music Edu.

www.isme.org

Music Teachers National Association

www.mtna.org

Employers

Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, ArtsQuest, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Kutztown University Mu-

sic Department, Music Choice, Reading Samba School, Reda Films

For More Information on Music Education careers or to speak to a Career Counselor, contact KU Career Development Center

113 Stratton Administration Center * 610-683-4067 * [email protected] * www.kutztown.edu/careercenter

Building a strong resume for your career field starts long before you ever start your job search. Employers want

to hire graduates who not only have the necessary educational background but also have experience applying

that knowledge.

Building Your Resume for a Career in Music Education

Learn more about your

field and develop the

necessary skills for

employment by gaining

hands-on experience

through internships.

Utilize summer breaks

to acquire valuable

experience via

volunteer or

employment

opportunities related to

your major.

Develop professionally

through campus

involvement and

professional

memberships.

This illustrates

responsibility,

leadership abilities

and time management

skills.