Music Education (K-12)

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What is Music Education (K-12)?

Music Education prepares you to be an accredited teacher for grades kindergarten through 12. You’ll choose from one of four concentrations:

Choral
Instrumental
General Music
Technology

You’ll also have the opportunity to be mentored by teachers in music classrooms from the Champaign-Urbana area. With this experience, you'll gain valuable insight into the teaching and running of a classroom. You must pass an audition to be accepted into this program.

Career Options

Choir or orchestral direction
Elementary education
Music performance
Music therapy
Secondary education

Post-Graduation Success¹

95% employed or continuing education

82% employed after graduation

13% attending graduate school

$47,889 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Lincoln Middle School (2), Chicago Public Schools (2), Chicago Tech Academy High School (1) View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee View All

Program Resources

College of Fine & Applied Arts Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

Strong talent review (audition or portfolio)

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention²

4.6 years to degree

80% first-year retention rate

71% four-year graduation rate

91% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs³

Illinois Resident

Tuition: $14,912
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,558
Total: $39,652

Non-Resident

Tuition: $37,588
Fees: $5,182
Expenses:$19,898
Total: $62,668

International

Tuition: $38,630
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,898
Total: $63,710

Related Majors

Music - FAA

Music Composition - FAA

Music Open Studies - FAA

Music Voice Performance - FAA

¹ Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

² Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

³ "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.