Program Goals
The Instructional I Certification in Music program is designed for students already holding a baccalaureate degree in some field of music other than music education. Students with an undergraduate degree in fields other than music but with extensive musical experience may also be considered. All students must meet University requirements for entrance into a teacher certification program (these must be completed prior to student teaching).
Completion of the program requirements leads to Pennsylvania Instructional I Certification in Music K-12. Although certification requirements vary among states, Pennsylvania certification requirements meet those of at least 45 other states. It is usually possible to obtain temporary certification in other states while preparing to meet their additional requirements. A teacher in Pennsylvania holding an Instructional I Certificate may teach up to six years in Pennsylvania on that certificate regardless of the time he or she starts teaching or the number of interruptions. After six years of teaching, the teacher must apply for an Instructional II Certificate. This requires the teacher to complete 24 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, to have three to six years of successful teaching in Pennsylvania, and to have the recommendation of his or her immediate supervisor.
Admission Requirements
- Completion of an undergraduate degree
- Undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above
- 80 hours of work with children, ages 5-18
- Audition in an applied music area
- Interview, including a voice and keyboard assessment
- Criminal and child abuse clearances
Act 151: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Form (PA Dept. of Public Welfare) This link will open up Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare site where you can download and find instructions for completing this form.
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/ChildWelfare/003671038.htm
Act 34: Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check (PA State Police) This links to the Criminal History Request Form. You may download the instructions for completing this form. You may also navigate to the PATCH system where you can make this request online using a credit card.
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=4451&&PageID=458621&level=2&css=L2&mode=2
FBI Clearance This links to the Cogent Systems Fingerprint Services for Pennsylvania web site. Click on "Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)." Applicants must register online with Cogent Systems prior to going to the fingerprint site.
http://www.pa.cogentid.com/index.htm
Admission Process:
The admission process begins with completion of the on-line graduate admission application (the new web address is http://gradsch.psu.edu/portal/) and payment of the application fee. The application fee is non-refundable. If the application fee is not paid, the application will NOT be reviewed. Information about the graduate application fee can be found at http://gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html.
Some application materials are to be UPLOADED to the online application; some mailed to the School of Music Graduate Admissions address listed at the bottom of this page.
Completed applications are reviewed by faculty in the Music Education area. If the applicant is a good fit for the program, s/he is invited for an audition/interview. The audition/interview includes a performance of a prepared piece on your major instrument as well as memorized a cappella performance of 5 children's songs. The children's songs will be sent at least a month before the interview.
For the audition/interview, you will be asked to:
- Perform at least 10 minutes of music in your applied area (representative of at least two different time periods/styles). You must demonstrate the technical and musicianship skills equivalent to a first-semester junior in Music Education.
- Demonstrate your vocal and keyboard skills.
- Meet with at least two music education faculty members to discuss your plans and interest in the program.
Applicants are typically notifiedof admission status within a month of the audition/interview.
Completion of Program
1. Prior to registering for classes, you must take the graduate competency exams in theory and history. Sections not passed must be rectified with the appropriate course work.
2. Meet with your adviser to plan your course work.
3. In order to enter the Emphasis Course (Music 44_W), you must have passed MUSIC 115 (unless your undergraduate performance major was voice), keyboard proficiency, and Praxis I tests.
4. The program typically takes three semesters of on-campus work. Music course requirements are only offered fall and spring semesters. Some of the non-music course requirements are often offered in the summer, at other Penn State campuses, or on-line via PSU World Campus. One semester of off-campus full-time student teaching is required the last semester. For students whose undergraduate degree is not in music, or for those with deficiencies in voice, piano, theory, and/or music history, completion of the program usually requires more than three semesters of course work.
Proficiencies
Piano proficiency is required of all students. Instrumental techniques courses (guitar, brass, percussion, string, and woodwind), or proficiency in these areas, is also required. In addition, students must have completed the following undergraduate courses: music theory and music history (verified by competency exams) and seven semesters of applied lessons on a major instrument (verified by an audition at time of interview).
Required Undergraduate Courses
Credit for approved equivalent courses at other institutions may be transferred. Additional course work may be required depending upon student's previous course work, experiences, and results of placement exams.
All courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better. However, a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 that includes all the courses below must be maintained.
All teacher education candidates must have Act 34, Act 151, and FBI clearances for any Music Education course work. Information about obtaining these clearances is available in the Office of Certification and Education Services, 228 Chambers Building or in the Music Education Office, 233A Music Building I.
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Music 112 | .5 |
| Music 115 or vocal proficiency | 1 |
| Music 216 | .5 |
| Music 151 | 1 |
| Music 152 | 1 |
| Music 153 | 1 |
| Music 154 | 1 |
|
Music 295A or Early Childhood practicum |
1 |
| Music 340 | 2 |
| Music 341 | 2 |
| Music 395A | 1 |
| Music 345 | 2 |
| Music 395B | 1 |
| Music 44_W | 3 |
| Music 266 Basic Conducting | 1 |
| Music 366 Intermediate Conducting | 1 |
| Music 495A and B or C - Student Teaching | 12 |
| EDPSY 010 | 3 |
| C I 280 | 3 |
| SPLED 400 | 3 |
| SPLED 403A or 403B | 3 |
| Quantification (GQ) | 6 |
| Literature (GH) | 3 |
| Basic English (ENGL 015 or 030) | 3 |
| Select one course from: | |
| PSYCH 100 Psychology | 3 |
| HD FS 229 Infant and Child Development | 3 |
| HD FS 239 Adolescent Development | 3 |
In addition to Praxis tests and clearances, Pennsylvania certification requires that students have a 3.0 GPA.
In summary, application materials listed below must be submitted before an application will be reviewed:
- Penn State online Graduate School Admission Application and non-refundable application fee
http://gradsch.psu.edu/portal/ - *Two (2) official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended, both undergraduate and graduate. (Must be sent by postal mail to School of Music Graduate Admissions address listed below - DO NOT upload to online application. A Transcript Request Form is provided in online application.)
- *An official transcript is an official listing from a university of all courses taken, including grades earned for each course. The transcript must also list the title of the degree and the date the degree was conferred, if the student has already graduated. If the transcripts do not list this information, then the original diploma must be included with the transcripts. International applicants must submit official or attested university records, with certified translations if the records are not in English. Notarized copies of the official transcripts are not sufficient.
- Two letters of recommendation (Applicant must list recommender's name and e-mail address on REFERENCE section of online application); RECOMMENDER UPLOADS HIS/HER LETTER TO APPLICANT'S ONLINE GRADUATE SCHOOL ADMISSION APPLICATION.
- Statement of purpose/previous experience and Resume (A statement indicating why you want to become a music teacher and discussing your previous experience with school-aged children and a resume; maximum of 4 pages); APPLICANT UPLOADS TO ONLINE GRADUATE SCHOOL ADMISSION APPLICATION.
- Submit a copy of each of the following clearances: Act 151: PA Child Abuse History Clearance, FBI Clearance, and Act 34: Request for Criminal Record Check; APPLICANT UPLOADS TO ONLINE GRADUATE SCHOOL ADMISSION APPLICATION.
Direct all inquiries and mail official transcripts to:
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
233 MUSIC BUILDING
UNIVERSITY PARK PA 16802-1901
Phone: 814-865-1052
Fax: 814-865-6785
E-mail: music-gr-adm@psu.edu