GRADUATE DEGREES
Instructional I Certification in Music
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. 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 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, 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.psp.state.pa.us/psp/cwp/view.asp?A=4&Q=48275
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. Information about the graduate application fee can be found at http://gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html.
Applications without fees cannot be processed. All other application materials including official transcripts must be sent to the School of Music.
The following items should be sent to the School of Music:
1. Prepare a statement indicating why you want to become a music teacher and discussing your previous experience with school-aged children.
2. Request that two persons submit letters of recommendation on your behalf.
3. Obtain criminal and child abuse clearances.
After the application file is complete, your materials will be reviewed and an initial decision regarding your acceptance into the program will be made. If you meet the initial requirements, you will be contacted and an audition/interview will be arranged.
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.
You will receive a letter notifying you of your status within a month of your 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 upper-level methods course sequence (Music 342, 343, 344), you must have passed the voice and keyboard proficiencies 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, completion of the program usually requires more than three semesters of course work.
Proficiencies
Piano and vocal musicianship proficiencies are 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).
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 and experiences.
All courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better.
All teacher education candidates must have Act 34 and Act 151 clearances prior to any practicum experiences.
Course Credits
Select two courses (total of 6 credits) from:
PSYCH 100 (GS) Psychology 3 credits
PSYCH 212 (DS; DE) Introduction to
Developmental Psychology 3
HD FS 229 (DS) Infant and Child
Development 3
HD FS 239 (DS) Adolescent Development 3
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Special Ed 400 3
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Quantification 6
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Literature (Humanities) 3
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Music 140 Introduction to Music Education 2
Music 340W The Teaching of Music 3
Music 295A Practicum 1
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Music 342 General Music Methods 2
Music 395A Practicum 1
Music 343 Choral Methods 2
Music 295B or 395B Practicum .5-1
Music 344 Instrumental Methods 2
Music 295C or 395C Practicum .5-1
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Music 266 Basic Conducting 1
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Music 366 Intermediate Conducting 2
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Demonstrated proficiency in piano, voice, guitar,
percussion, string, wind, and brass instruments
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Student teaching 13
In addition to Praxis tests and clearances, Pennsylvania
certification requires that students have a 3.0 GPA.
In summary, the following items MUST be received before an application can be reviewed:
□ Completed online Graduate School Application and paid application fee
http://gradsch.psu.edu/portal/
□ Two sets of official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended*
(Transcript Request Form is available at web address below)
http://gradsch.psu.edu/portal/
□ Personal statement including experience
□ Two letters of recommendation (we do not have a recommendation form; the recommenders should use school or personal stationery.)
*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. Notarized copies of the official transcripts are not sufficient.
Direct all inquiries and send materials 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