Certificate in Piano Pedagogy

Purpose

The Certificate in Piano Pedagogy is a program designed for teachers and those wishing to enter the profession who would like to formally pursue studies in piano pedagogy, but who do not wish to attain a graduate degree. (Certificate students who wish to receive academic credit may do so by enrolling through the Graduate Programs in Music Education as a nondegree-seeking student, providing they have an undergraduate degree in music or music education.)

Eligibility

Those who wish to work toward the certificate may do so regardless of academic background or teaching experience; however it is assumed that students will have sufficient background in piano study and preferably some teaching experience. However, there are certain requirements for those who do not have an undergraduate degree or a music degree:

Students without a Baccalaureate Degree

Those students wishing to enter the certificate program who have not completed a baccalaureate degree will have as a prerequisite the successful completion of either the Elementary Materials and Teaching Techniques or the Intermediate Materials and Teaching Techniques course before being accepted into the certificate program.

Students without College Music History or Theory Courses

Students must complete at least one college semester of music theory and one college semester of music history. These may be taken from any college offering these undergraduate courses, and may be taken at any time, but must be completed before the certificate can be awarded. It is highly recommended, however, that one take them as soon as possible, as the knowledge gained will provide an important background for other courses in the program.

Requirements

1. Course Requirements
   1. Field of Concentration course requirements (15 cr.)
      • Students will choose five Field of Concentration courses as listed, with two pedagogy methods courses required, of which Elementary Materials and Teaching Techniques must be one
   2. Three semesters of piano lessons (twelve 50-minute lessons per semester) (3 cr.)
   3. One semester of Supervised Teaching (1 cr.)
2. Recitals
   1. Students will not be required to perform in a recital, but are encouraged to do so.
3. Other Requirements
   1. Students must be enrolled as certificate or credit students in order to have courses apply toward the Certificate.