<p>So, I’ve done only a little research on the differences between B.A., B.S., B.M, and B.F.A and now I would like if someone could give me some advice.
I would like teach music and theatre at the high school or middle school level, so that made choosing Music Education and Theatre as majors pretty easy. But I’m not sure how degree types work exactly.
I was thinking of getting a B.A. in Theatre and double majoring with B.M.E. Is that possible? Or is it possible to juggle a B.F.A in Theatre and a B.M.E?</p>
<p>The hidden issue with double majors is that this usually means you will be in school for more than 4 years, to be able to complete all the coursework you need for both degrees. Expect to be in undergraduate studies for anywhere from 4 1/2 to 6 years. Plus, you are looking at two majors that are fairly time-intensive, both requiring significant “your body needs to be here” commitment.</p>
<p>A better strategy may be to go for one degree as an undergrad, then go back and get your other degree as a graduate student. A master’s in education is more marketable, IMHO, than a bachelor’s. You will come out with a stronger degree package, without much more investment of time or money than if you had done a double bacheor’s.</p>
<p>I believe at most schools it would be nearly impossible to do a BFA in theatre and a BM in Music Ed. Both of these degree paths are very time consuming, and many BFA programs will not allow you to double major. Even if they did you would have to be admitted by audition to both the BFA and the BM program which could be very difficult. Generally speaking, a BFA is a degree that is intended for students who plan to enter theatre professionally after graduation as a performer, designer, technician, etc… The BM in Music Ed. is for students who plan on teaching k-12 music in the public schools after graduation. The two degrees are not particularly compatible in terms of goals. This is not to say that people with BFAs in Theatre may not choose to teach, but that is not the focus of the degree. You may find that you are able to double degree with a BM in Music Ed. and a BA in theatre at some schools, but this would most likely take 5 to 5.5 years. Because of the student teaching requirement for the BM many students often will choose to finish their student teaching in a 9th semester. The addition of the BA in Theatre would add to the time. The most practicle route if you want to teach music in the k-12 public schools and teach theatre might be to pursue a BM in Music Ed. and minor in theatre, taking as many additional theater classes as you can fit into your schedule. Where I teach there is a strong Music Ed. program and Theatre program. Many of the Music Ed. student choose to take this path. Many times the music teacher is the one directing the musicals and plays, so the theatre experience would set you up well to be able to do this. Because Music Ed. Is such a specialized degree it could be difficult to pursue a masters in Music Ed. Without the requisit undergraduate music course work.</p>
<p>VicAria is correct, and I’ll try and break it down in a bit more detail.</p>
<p>The BA is a liberal arts degree, with roughly 25-35% of the coursework within the major, the balance across liberal arts, general graduation requirements and electives. In a BS, BM or BFA program, the percentages are typically reversed, with the major constituting the bulk of the coursework. A good background thread is here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/561184-help-understanding-ba-vs-bfa-vs-bm.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/561184-help-understanding-ba-vs-bfa-vs-bm.html</a>, and there is additional info in BassDad’s post here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html</a></p>
<p>Music education is a fairly rigid sequencing of coursework, built on a series of prerequisites in general educational theory, psychology and practice, music specific teaching methodologies and practicums, broad discipline knowledge including music theory, history, ear training, basic piano skills, conducting, and specialty (band/vocal/orchestra), as well as state mandated general requirements for teacher certification. These typically include US History, English, a math, a lab science, a health course. One semester is devoted to offsite student teaching assignments. At the BM level, there are typically more requirements in terms of private instruction on voice or instrument, more performance and ensemble obligations. The BS can vary, sometimes the additional depth is in the educational coursework, sometimes within the music specific coursework, depending on how the program is structured. Search the forum, advanced/titles with “music ed” or “music education” as the criteria. Much has been written previously.</p>
<p>The audition based component in a BM or BFA performance arts degree pursuit cannot be ignored, as it is typically the most weighted factor in determining admissions, although academic stats and grades are important, particularly for music ed candidates. The talent pool varies by program and discipline, some “easier” than others. Music ed typically requires an audition (even at the BA level), and an interview step as well. The audition standards are usually not set to the higher level of a performance candidate, but some programs will expect a performance admit skill level. Keep in mind that there never truly is a safety within an audition based admit process. There are BA/BS admits that are non audition admits, but will require an audition or jury process to continue within the program. </p>
<p>As KatMT suggests, the BM in music ed with a minor in theater might work. If your desire is to teach music within a k-12 setting, the music ed degree (coupled with initial licensure) is the main goal. You can add specific theater coursework to fill as many credits as possible, but it would be highly institution specific, as a number of schools close or limit coursework in the performance disciplines to majors only, particularly in the upper divisions. </p>
<p>The BA/BS approach to a music ed degree may provide more flexibility in opening additional slots for theater electives, but the issue here becomes what may be “lost” from the BM curriculum. Many BM, BS and some BA programs will assure a successful student is initially certified or provisionally licensed to teach (within that state’s borders) provided all course requirements and external parameters (PRAXIS I, II, documentation/application to certifying board are met); some do not, and may not fulfill all the parameters required for licensure. There is nothing “wrong” with a BA or BS in music ed; the BM is not mandatory, but the key is knowing what to look for and what the end result will be.</p>
<p>Much of the detailed information you need to research will not be found in the general admission or music department pages of a school’s website. The nitty gritty of degree requirements, minor options, restrictions, credit overload fees will be within the undergrad handbook (and often the music specific supplement), typically a pdf or word file found in a link on the school’s academic website pages.</p>
<p>There are many who enter as dual major students in performance/music education, and a good portion of these programs are five, not four year offerings. The credit/time intensive nature, performance/practice obligations, and mandatory offsite practicums and supervised teaching experience dictate the length. Any glitch in scheduling or academic performance can add even additional time. And remember, time=$.</p>
<p>One more: please stay out of the “chances” forum. The validity is questionable at best, and you will receive no valid input if you factor in an audition based criteria. Do yourself a favor.</p>
<p>If you are willing to not teach immediately upon graduation, you can probably double major in Theatre and Music (BA/ BS/ BM) on the undergraduate level. Pure music though, not Music Ed (which is like a double major.) Then go on to get a MA/MS in Music Ed in a track for students who have no ed background. Some schools have accelerated master’s programs in music education that can be completed in about a year (with summers/ no breaks.) I believe you could then qualify for certification in both Music Ed and Theatre. You would have to check with the state you wish to teach in to make sure that is the case.</p>
<p>Off the top of my head, one undergrad program you may want to look at is at Shenandoah Conservatory. I believe they have a degree course of study in teaching theater to children, that may encompass all the fields you’re interested in.</p>
<p>The option suggested by uskoolfish is viable, but the issue is compounded by conflicts in course selection and timing in trying to combine two disciplines both with performance, ensemble,workshop,rehearsal and participatory requirements. Even at the BA level, the ensemble and participatory classes tend to eat up a large block of time on a given day, or series of days, and can often be in direct conflict with each other. It’s a similar problem encountered with students trying to combine a performance discipline with a science, where lab conflicts wreak similar havoc.</p>
<p>Typically the participatory or ensemble requirement(s) is in one time offering only, and the rest of the schedule is built around it. It becomes a further issue in smaller institutions and programs where there may be less choice in finding acceptable class time offerings for academic and general requirements. These can be eased a bit if the school offers late afternoon or evening classes, which many do. Having access to prior course schedules can be a useful planning and research tool, but understand that what is true one year is not always true for the next. Budget cuts or a faculty change can have an impact even if you think you’ve mapped everything out perfectly.</p>
<p>Take a look through <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/</a> and <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/</a> forums as well. </p>
<p>The masters in M MEd is available even for those without prior teaching certification, but may limit access to some of the some “top” programs. Even then, a good foundation (and grades) in theory, aural, and piano/keyboard skills may be an essential component in a grad application, and there is a wide range of quality within BA programs to provide the background necessary.</p>
<p>Certification in a second discipline is state regulated, and typically requires the minimum test score for the subject on the Praxis II to obtain certification for the discipline.</p>
<p>In most cases, music education (or education pursuits in general) are more cost effective within your own state public institutions. Instate tuition, special incentives and scholarships be they merit, talent, or need based can dramatically reduce the out of pocket. There are many reasons to look at private and oos institutions, but I’d look into your own states offerings first. You may be able to find what you’re looking for, but a bit of research, knowing the pitfalls as well as the benefits of your plan requires some forethought and background knowledge.</p>
<p>For our D we were intially looking at the double major violadad talks about, vocal performance and music education. A music professor at Florida State U was nice enough to spend some time with us talking about the pitfalls of such an approach; it was because of her advice that we are opting to concentrate on VP for undergrad (a decision made somewhat easier with her gravitation toward jazz vp, as opposed to classical). It feels like a better fit for our daughter.</p>
<p>And for the record, mine was a dual major performance/ed candidate who completed the five years, but opted out at the last moment, short of the student teaching and a state mandated general requirement to concentrate on his first love, performance.</p>
<p>And he honestly could not see himself within a k-12 public setting, at least at this point in his life. He much prefers to teach in studio and small group settings, and continues to do so both at the “child” and adult levels.</p>
<p>One thing a good undergrad music ed program will do is to expose you to the requirements and experiences of being an educator within a k-12 setting, and continually evaluates your skills and potential for this type of career; a good program will also ask you to not continue within the major if you lack all the necessary skills. Some music ed BA tracks and a general BA music degree defers these experiences, and some will find that they are not suited or simply don’t want to teach in that environment. To wait till the Masters level to find that out is a path I would not suggest. </p>
<p>Just food for thought.</p>
<p>That’s a good point, to make sure music ed is something you can honestly see sometime in your future. Just because YOU may view it as a Plan B, the colleges you would be applying to certainly don’t view it that way!</p>
<p>I was floored, in a good way, at how seriously committed the college-level educators we met are about their mission. If a prospective student can’t communicate a similar level of commitment, they don’t belong in a music ed program. My D has had opportunities to act in a teaching capacity for different grade levels, and that has helped her gain some perspective on what she is interested, and what she is capable of. OP may want to explore similar options before committing to it as a college career.</p>
<p>Check with your state education board regarding the certification process. For example, in California, to teach theater, the certification is actually English. To teach music, it is music. To teach both, you could major in English/theatre track and minor in music, then pass the subject matter tests in both subjects, then get your teaching certification in the 5th year (could be combined with a masters but will usually take longer that way–worth it because your salary goes way up). In California, you can major in whatever you want, then if you pass the subject matter tests you are good to go. (This would be considered a kind of “alternative” route to certifcation.) Each state is different, so do check with your state board of ed. Once you get one state, it is quite easy to obtain others. In any case, it’s not easy to pass the subject matter tests–you do really need the equivalent of the major in order to have the knowledge. Or you can study A LOT. I know of one excellent choir director who had to take the music test multiple times before passing it. In this era of budget cuts, it’s not a bad idea to add math or science to your list of courses that you can teach–if you are good in those subjects. Often a minor or just a few courses is good enough for “supplemental authorization” particularly at the middle school level. Good luck!</p>
<p>Work at your piano skills, if you’re not already an accomplished pianist. When it comes to landing a teaching position, you will be considered a twofer if you can accompany well enough to save the school from hiring a pianist at every turn. My D’s voice teacher in high school, who has his DMA from a conservatory, told her that he feels he beat certain people out for a position or two because he plays the piano well.</p>