Do you want to become a K-12 music teacher? At Portland State University (PSU), our Bachelor's Degree in Music Education prepares you to inspire the next generation. We believe the best teachers are also amazing musicians. That is why our program combines strong music theory and performance skills with hands-on teaching practice.
You will learn to teach all students. Our classes focus on culturally sustaining teaching. This means you will learn to connect with students from all backgrounds and cultures. You will be ready to teach traditional classes like band, orchestra, and choir. You will also learn to lead modern classes like mariachi, music production, and rock band.
Choose Your Path
Our future teachers gain skills in piano, guitar, percussion, winds, strings, voice, and music technology while focusing one one of our four special tracks:
- Elementary Music
- Band
- Strings
- Choral (Vocal)
To join the music education major, you must apply to PSU, submit a second application to the School of Music & Theater, pass an entrance audition, and interview with the Music Education Director, Mari Schay.
PSU also offers music programs in performance, composition, jazz, history, theory, and voice.
Hands-On Teaching Experience
Get ready to practice what you learn! By the time you graduate, you will have taught about 50 mini-lessons to your classmates. You will also build a digital portfolio filled with your lesson plans and videos of your teaching.
We also help you find real-world experience through internships and fieldwork. Our students work with great local groups like:
- All Classical Radio
- Youth Music Project
- Oregon Symphony Orchestra
- Portland Public Schools
- School of Rock
- Music & Arts
Social Justice and Inclusive Teaching
We want to change the face of music education. Our goal is to train diverse teachers who create welcoming and exciting music programs for their communities.
At PSU, you will dive deep into inclusive teaching. You will learn how to pick diverse music and manage a classroom fairly. Our students even sing in a social justice choir that connects with unhoused people in Portland. You will also learn "universal design" — a way of teaching that makes sure every student can access and enjoy music.
Professional Growth and Support
As a student, you will become a collegiate member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). This membership lets you attend state conferences, regular meetings, and special events designed to build your future career.
You will also expand your skills by attending professional development opportunities with top groups, including the:
- Portland Orff Schulwerk Association
- American Choral Directors Association
- Western International Band Clinic
This four-year degree gives you all the tools you need to succeed. Most of our students want to become licensed K-12 public school teachers.
Our bachelor's program perfectly prepares you for a graduate teaching program, like PSU's Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP). During GTEP, you will spend a full year student-teaching in local schools. You will graduate with a Master's Degree and your Oregon Teacher’s License.
High Job Placement Rates For over ten years, 100% of our GTEP graduates have found music teaching jobs right after graduation! Our alumni teach in every school district in the region, including Portland Public, Beaverton, Vancouver, Salem-Keizer, and many more.
If you decide not to get a public school teaching license, you have other career options. You can teach private lessons, work in music stores, or work as a teaching assistant in public and private schools.