Westminster’s music education program has a reputation for excellence in the field and a long track record for successful job placement. Our program aims to develop teachers who are reflective, who acknowledge the connections music has to the child’s world and who seek to promote an understanding of those connections in a social context.
Our innovative four-course Art of Teaching Music sequence integrates theoretical foundations of planning, teaching, assessing, and musicianship development with practical application through peer teaching and field-based music teaching. Students are in the classroom starting in their first year and benefit from longer and more intensive field experiences each subsequent year.
Rider encourages students to embark on this rewarding career path by offering scholarships, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 per year, for incoming undergraduate education majors, beginning with the fall 2024 semester.
The music education program provides students the training necessary to become a certified music educator. Graduates earn New Jersey certification to teach vocal instrumental and general music at all levels.
Coursework includes elementary and secondary general music education, choral music education, instrumental studies, music technology and creativity.
Each year, students increasingly engage in field experiences, culminating with a semester of full-time student teaching in the last year.
Beginning their first year, music education students work with supervising teachers in area schools to gain field experience. Westminster’s active National Association for Music Education (NAfME) student chapter offers multiple volunteer and leadership opportunities, which include participation in regional and national professional conferences. Students also have opportunities to volunteer as conductors with the Westminster Neighborhood Youth Choir.
Develop your musicianship, music knowledge and skills as an educator in Westminster’s Master of Music Education program. Undergraduate students may be invited to join the BM-MME dual-degree program and earn a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Education in 5 years.
Read the stories of our current students and alumni to discover how they use their music education degree to engage and inspire music students.
Learn more about financial aid, tuition and the various options we offer to make your college education affordable.
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Lynch Adler Hall
jvodicka [at] rider.edu
609-896-5000 x8320
