About The Program

Graduates of the music education program teach in schools throughout the United States. They include directors of high school bands, choirs, and orchestras, elementary general music teachers, and instructors of non-traditional offerings such as guitar classes, computer music labs, and popular music ensembles. The music education curriculum at UNL provides a breadth of learning opportunities that reinforce the rich traditions of school music and support continuing innovations in the music teaching profession.


Undergraduate Program information (BME Bachelor of Music Education)

Undergraduate music education majors at the Glenn Korff School of Music studies include: understanding the role of music in the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of children and adolescents; acquiring effective teacher characteristics in terms of rapport with students, verbal instruction, and nonverbal communication; teaching with engaging classroom activities and use of sound rehearsal techniques.

Music education majors are exposed to a blend of on-campus instruction with off-campus practice teaching experiences. These teaching practicum experiences are done with veteran music teachers in Lincoln area schools, scheduled and supervised by Glenn Korff School of Music personnel. UNL students participate in one teaching practicum in the sophomore year, two in the junior year, and one in the senior year, all before completing a semester of full-time student teaching. This progression of teaching experience helps establish students’ aptitude for a career in music education and gradually equips them with the knowledge and skills to be successful.


Composer-Educators

The Music Education and Composition programs at the Glenn Korff School of Music announce an exciting collaboration in the training of the next generation of composer-educators. More information here.


Graduate Program information (Master of Music Education [with thesis], Master of Music [without thesis] Online only*, and Ph.D.)

The Glenn Korff School of Music in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine & Performing Arts of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a professional, comprehensive arts institution devoted to the advancement of music arts and scholarship, the preparation of the next generation of music professionals, and service to the music professions/institutions in the region, state, nation, and world. Throughout a course of study at UNL, students work with up to six faculty members for whom music education is their primary area of specialization in addition to study with nationally/internationally known academic and performance faculty.

Coursework for the Master of Music degree (Opt. II) is delivered entirely online. In fact, the program can be completed in just over two years: 2 courses in each of three summers, plus 1 course during each fall and spring semester in between.


Post-Baccalaureate Initial Teacher Certification in Music (must hold a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited college or university)

Candidates for Post-Baccalaureate Initial Teacher Certification in Music must hold a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Those who are not graduates of a music degree program (e.g., Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts in Music) must pass a performance audition, similar to that required for admission as an undergraduate music major. If admitted, the student will be provided with a program of study listing the coursework needed to attain teacher certification. Each student’s program is individualized, based on past coursework.

More information here