COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Music Education (BME) program at Concordia University Chicago requires a minimum of 120 credit hours, combining general education, music education major courses, professional education courses, a music core, and a student teaching internship. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all major courses, with most courses not eligible for Pass/Fail grading, except for student teaching and the edTPA course. Admission to the program requires an audition on the student’s primary instrument or voice and successful completion of the music fundamentals test for placement in Music Theory I and Aural Skills I, with prior keyboard experience recommended. The curriculum includes foundational courses in education, professional PK-12 education courses, and core music courses covering theory, aural skills, history, literature, applied music, ensembles, conducting, and music convocation. Students also choose a music education emphasis—instrumental, choral, or general music—tailoring their studies to their intended teaching focus. Instrumental emphasis includes courses in instrumental techniques, pedagogy, and advanced conducting; choral emphasis focuses on singer’s diction, K–12 choral program techniques, and advanced choral conducting; general music emphasizes both instrumental and choral techniques. The program concludes with a 15-credit student teaching internship and seminar, providing hands-on teaching experience, ensuring that graduates are fully prepared for K–12 music education licensure and classroom instruction.