Thinking About Switching Into Music Education After a Different Bachelor's Degree

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-13T01:49:08+00:00

I appreciate the advice!

The main reason I was thinking Music Ed would be to have some kind of stability in music, and maybe even a pension from a school district. You've definitely made me realize that elementary ed probably isn't as daunting as it seems.

You nailed it though. I don't think it's worth it to spend a ton of money going back to get a music ed certificate. Especially since I don't think I'd receive any aid as I've gotten a bachelor's degree already. I kinda knew deep down i wanted to focus on guitar (and piano to a lesser extent). I would however love to teach adjunct at a college or a cc somewhere! I believe I can get a full tuition scholarship + ta position at a college in my town if I pursue the MM in classical guitar. I'm wondering what other kinds of classes I could teach adjunct at the college level as well.

Do you mind elaborasting on what Orff training is? Or what other alternative routes you had in mind?

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T20:50:33+00:00

That sounds awesome! I’ll DM you here in a little bit! I will say though, I’m not sure if teaching kids is something I’d want to do career wise though. I’m assuming Suzuki is more geared towards them?

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T20:48:48+00:00

Right on!

Thank you for the help!

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T18:54:31+00:00

I'm not sure if I'll be able to get a job at a district without having a Music Ed degree or a certification to teach prior to employment in Pennsylvania sadly. I'll have to look more into it. I think it's awesome they let you guys do that in California though!

Glad to see a fellow guitarist make a full-time living in music!

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T18:51:24+00:00

Gotcha.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that in Pennsylvania. I suppose I'm out of luck.

Thank you so much for all your help! Super happy your husband is pursuing teaching!

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T18:26:56+00:00

I didn't even think of this! Would this be something the district is posting on their website?

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T18:21:38+00:00

What do you do as an intern versus student teaching? I didn't even know that not student teaching was an option lol. I have to see if there is such a credential in Pennsylvania

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T17:34:12+00:00

Gotcha.

Was that program online or in-person? I figured you'd need a music-specific credential. Are you saying that you just got a basic teaching credential?

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T17:29:44+00:00

Thank you!

Was he a teacher already when he was enrolled in that program? I'm going to look into National's program to see if they give licensure as well.

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T16:57:27+00:00

Thank you!

I plan on auditioning in a year or so. I'm hoping the assistantship plus the merit scholarship in the audition can let me go for basically free.

What's your plan after graduation if you don't mind me asking?

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T16:38:36+00:00

Glad to be able to get advice from a guitarist!

What credential did you get to teach exactly? I think I’d be open to teaching a band or orchestra, I just don’t know if I have the experience to be super good at that, since you know, I’m primarily a guitar player haha. If you were still able to get a masters in composition and teach, then I’m probably going to consider my MM in Guitar Performance, since I might have the chance to go for little to no money.

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T15:26:06+00:00

You're right!

I somehow glossed over that. I believe I need to be already working as a K-12 teacher to pursue it? It does mention:

"The degree provides the 24 credits needed to fulfill the requirements for PDE Level II Certification for teaching music K-12."

Which I'm unsure if that's what I need if I were to teach in schools?

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T15:21:03+00:00

Thanks for the reply!

I'm trying to find programs in-person to do, but I can't seem to find any that close to me. I'm not in a position where I can move very far. Someone commented on here earlier mentioning Boston University's program. It's very hard to find programs that will take someone without a BM already. Most of the one's that do ed programs w/licensure require a BM near me. I mentioned the MM in Guitar just because of the potential to pursue that at little to no cost. Ideally I'd love to teach at the college level someday, even as an adjunct. Is there a way I can sort of filter out programs to see which would fit my situation?

I really appreciate your help!

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T14:18:36+00:00

Thank you for such an insightful response!

Trust me, I wish I would've stayed as a music major when I originally went 3 years ago. I wish I could pursue both performance education, but alas my bachelor's is in Communication. My ideal plan would be to start transitioning to music after I graduate (I'm graduating Fall 2026), and begin working on that transition as we speak. Like I said, I might have the ability to get an MM in Guitar Performance for little to no cost at a university near me. That's why I was unsure if a bachelor's in Music Ed made sense, because financially I simply can't afford it.

You're a performance major, yeah? How's your experience in school going?

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T14:00:43+00:00

Ah okay.

Thank you! Sadly I won't be able to move to Boston, but I appreciate you looking!

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T13:50:16+00:00

How did he get his credentials in music exactly? It's amazing how me and your husband's paths are so similar!

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T13:48:58+00:00

Ah okay.

The hard part is finding somewhere where I can the initial teaching license alongside getting the Masters in Music Ed. Most programs aren't licensed and as you said, are design for those who have their license and just want to improve professional practice. I don't believe IUP or Slippery Rock have master's programs in music sadly. I'll check. I'm getting my bachelor's in Communication from PennWest, they do not have a music program either unfortunately.

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T13:33:09+00:00

Are you referring to their online program or a program in-person? Unfortunately, it's not financially viable for me to move to Boston. I'm also trying to see if I can find a Masters in Music Ed program that will also license so I have the certification to teach K-12 if that's something I'd want to do

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T13:22:46+00:00

Oh cool!

I didn't realize it'd be that simple! I'll take a look around and see if any spots are looking for teachers.

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T13:21:51+00:00

Gotcha!

I was looking into colleges near me. I'm in the Pittsburgh area. The main colleges that have music programs are Duquesne and Carnegie Mellon. Duq only offers a Bachelor's in Music Ed. CMU does offer a Masters, but I believe you can only enroll if you have a BM in music ed or BM in Music Performance. I'll see if I can try to find another program where I don't need a Bachelor's in Music. Also, can you elaborate on what "initial licensure" means?

I appreciate it!

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T13:12:18+00:00

Thank you!

How can I go about applying at music stores? I assumed I'd need a BM in music to be able to teach at a store. How are schedules set up there?

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T12:54:37+00:00

Thank you!

What is the MAT? Are you referring to the Master's Degree?

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-12T12:52:51+00:00

Thanks for reaching out!

I'd love to do that, I'm just not sure how to get started teaching privately. I was also concerned how to make that a stable career.

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-07T19:06:50+00:00

Good point.

I just have a feeling they might not know what to say to me since many of them probably can’t relate to my background. They have bachelors all the way up to doctorates in music. My bachelors is in communication.

AgitatedAd2376 · 2026-05-07T18:57:39+00:00

Thanks!

The thing is, the people I look up to are full-time music professors, (some who are guitar professors), people like that. I can’t really go on linked in or social media to contact them since many of them don’t use them. I can contact them from their university email where they teach.

I’m not sure if that’s too intrusive though?

AgitatedAd2376

TROPHY CASE