To teach music in a public school, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in music education and a state-issued teaching license. This is the most direct path, but it’s not the only one. Musicians with performance degrees or other music backgrounds can also become certified teachers through alternative routes that add education coursework to their existing credentials.
The Standard Path: A Bachelor’s in Music Education
A Bachelor of Music Education (BME) is the degree most commonly designed for aspiring music teachers. These four-year programs combine music training with education coursework, so you graduate prepared for both the art and the classroom. You’ll study music theory, music history, ear training, and applied lessons on your primary instrument or voice, alongside courses in pedagogy, classroom management, child development, and curriculum design.
Most BME programs also require student teaching, usually a semester-long placement in a real school where you lead rehearsals, plan lessons, and work under a supervising teacher. This hands-on experience is a graduation requirement at nearly every accredited program and a prerequisite for licensure in most states.
One important detail: many music education programs offer distinct concentrations. A program might separate into instrumental, vocal, keyboard, or guitar tracks. The concentration you choose determines what you’re licensed to teach. An instrumental concentration typically qualifies you for a K-12 instrumental music license, meaning you can direct band or orchestra. Vocal, keyboard, and guitar concentrations generally lead to a choral music license. If you want to teach both band and choir in a public school, you may need to complete requirements for both endorsements, which could mean additional coursework or testing.
State Licensure Requirements
A degree alone doesn’t qualify you to teach in a public school. Every state requires its own teaching license (sometimes called a certificate or credential), and the specific requirements vary. Most states require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program, completion of a student teaching experience, passing scores on one or more standardized exams, and a background check.
The exams typically test both general teaching knowledge and music-specific content. The Praxis Music Content Knowledge test is widely used, though some states have their own assessments. Your scores need to meet the threshold set by the state where you plan to teach.
Because certification rules change over time and differ significantly from state to state, check directly with the department of education in the state where you want to work. If you’re considering teaching in multiple states, look into whether those states have reciprocity agreements that let you transfer your license without starting the process over.
Alternative Certification for Career Changers
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in music performance, music theory, or another music-related field, you don’t necessarily need to go back for a second undergraduate degree. Alternative certification programs let you earn a teaching credential by completing education coursework and supervised classroom experience, often while you’re already working in a school.
These programs are field-based, meaning you learn teaching methods before and during your time in the classroom rather than spending years in a traditional college setting first. According to the National Association for Music Education, strong alternative programs include comprehensive music pedagogy courses, training in a variety of instructional strategies, and a supervised internship under an experienced music educator. Look for programs with selective admissions that assess your subject matter knowledge, communication skills, and personal fit for teaching.
There are some guardrails. Under federal education guidelines, teachers entering through alternative certification must receive sustained, intensive professional development that is classroom-focused. They can only serve as a teacher of record for up to three years while working toward full certification and must demonstrate satisfactory progress during that window. New alternative-route teachers should also expect formal classroom observations: at least three in the first year and two per year in each of the next two years.
Alternative certification is a real path, not a shortcut. You still need to pass the same licensure exams and meet the same content standards as traditionally trained teachers. But it lets working musicians, performers, and those with non-education music degrees transition into teaching without repeating four years of undergraduate study.
Teaching at Private Schools
Private schools set their own hiring standards, and many do not require state certification. A bachelor’s degree in any area of music, strong performance skills, and relevant experience may be enough. Some private schools prefer or require a master’s degree, while others prioritize your ability to build a program and connect with students over your specific credentials. The tradeoff is that private school positions may offer lower salaries and fewer benefits than public school roles, though this varies widely.
Graduate Degrees and Career Growth
A master’s degree isn’t required to start teaching music, but it opens doors. A Master of Music Education deepens your knowledge of pedagogy, curriculum design, and research methods. Many public school salary schedules pay teachers with a master’s degree more than those with only a bachelor’s, so the investment often pays for itself over time through higher earnings.
Some teachers pursue a master’s in music performance instead, which keeps their playing skills sharp and can strengthen their credibility as ensemble directors. Others earn graduate degrees in educational leadership or administration if they want to eventually move into department chair, curriculum coordinator, or principal roles.
If you hold an initial or provisional teaching license, some states require you to complete a master’s degree within a certain number of years to maintain or upgrade your certification. This is another reason many music teachers pursue graduate work early in their careers.
What Employers Actually Look For
Beyond the degree and license, schools hiring music teachers care about a few practical things. Versatility matters: a band director who can also teach general music or a choir teacher comfortable accompanying on piano will have more opportunities, especially in smaller districts where one person covers the entire music program. Proficiency on multiple instruments, experience with music technology, and the ability to work with students across age groups all strengthen your candidacy.
Directors of competitive ensembles often need strong conducting skills and experience with marching band, jazz band, or show choir, depending on the school’s traditions. Elementary music positions tend to emphasize general music pedagogy methods like Orff, Kodály, or Dalcroze, so familiarity with these approaches gives you an edge at that level.
Extracurricular involvement is also part of the job. Music teachers frequently run after-school rehearsals, coordinate concerts and festivals, manage instrument inventories, and travel with students to competitions. Schools want candidates who understand that the role extends well beyond the classroom bell.