We live in CA and DS applied and was admitted to several in state and out of state music education (voice) programs. I have heard that it is best to stay in state for music ed. Our in-state options/admittances are at Cal State Long Beach, San Jose State, Chapman, and UCLA. Does anyone have any experience or feedback regarding any of these programs? UCLA’s program is a BA rather than a BM, which makes me wonder if it won’t be as musically intensive as the other schools that offer a BM ME. It also appears that UCLA’s music school is not accredited by NASM. Does this matter?
“. In recent years, 100 percent of students who earned the credential found employment upon graduation, and typically most students find jobs in the field”
From UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
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Your son has some excellent choices. Congratulations!
I am familiar with the three So Cal options: husband has a Music Ed degree from CSULB and oldest kid has a Music Performance degree from Chapman. My kids’ public music teachers had UCLA degrees.
All excellent so you may want to have him weigh other factors. Chapman is smaller and can be more accommodating with pursuing other interests. It is generally easier to navigate class registration, less administrative bureaucracy. Tuition is of course higher. Chapman has a great vocal and musical theater program.
My second kid just graduated from CSULB and also just finished her teaching credential there. (Not music) She had overall a great experience, despite the challenges of the pandemic year. Absolutely great value! We were happy to help her with some funds towards her credential program because her undergrad tuition was so reasonable.
Of course you can’t go wrong with UCLA. They have a great reputation and an especially amazing Ethnomusicology department.
In terms of jobs, the market is not great for music teachers in general. We do know a fair number of recent Music Education graduates who end up with jobs in other areas of music or in other areas of education. But that is ok too. In my opinion a Music Education degree provides an excellent background on which to build a profession.
Good luck!
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Thank you, this is very helpful!
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