Department of Music Education and Music Therapy

Wells School of Music

221 Swope Music Building
610-436-2739
Department of Music Education and Music Therapy
Marci Major, Chairperson

Mission Statement

The mission of the Wells School of Music is to provide an inclusive, world-class education by engaging students in diverse and evolving degree programs that further artistic excellence and help students become valuable contributors to a greater society.

Vision Statement

The Wells School of Music will continue to develop quality and innovative programs to ensure student success. We will strive to build our standing as a cultural resource that begins in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and extends throughout the nation. Through performance and scholarship at the highest levels, our faculty will build national and international reputations that reflect on and contribute to the university community. As respected musicians, scholars, composers, performers, educators, and music therapists, our graduates will enter their respective fields with an entrepreneurial spirit that will foster innovation to meet the ever-changing landscape in the world of music.

Majors

Graduate Opportunities

See the graduate catalog for more information on the Music Education and Music Therapy programs.

All undergraduate students are held to the academic policies and procedures outlined in the undergraduate catalog.  Students are encouraged to review departmental handbooks for program tips, suggested course sequences, and explanations of procedures. When applicable, additional policies for specific department programs may be listed below.

Approval for Student Teaching and Field Placements

Approval for Student Teaching

Candidates must apply through the Office of Clinical Experiences and Candidate Services for approval for student teaching placements. All candidates must meet the following criteria in order to student teach:  

  • Achieved Teacher Candidacy 
    • Have earned final passing grades, in all professional preparation requirements as indicated in the degree guidance sheet
    • Earned the required credits per program (see program guidance sheet) prior to the student teaching experience, including all professional educational courses and all specialized preparation courses with necessary grade prerequisites, with a cumulative GPA of 2.8. 
  • Completed the following forms1:  
    • Student teaching application (must be submitted within one full year prior to the academic semester in which student teaching is to be scheduled) 
    • PA Child Abuse History Certification 
    • Criminal Record Check-PA State Police 
    • FBI Background Fingerprinting Check 
    • TB testing 
    • NOTE: Student teachers will apply for updated clearances a year prior to student teaching. The Office of Clinical Experiences and Candidate Services will notify you when you should apply for clearances.  
  • Registered for student teaching following department procedures. 
  • Attended a student teaching pre-registration meeting (The Office of Clinical Experiences and Candidate Services will notify students of preregistration meetings). 
  • See department webpage and/or handbook for specific programmatic requirements. 
1

Student teachers will apply for updated clearances a year prior to student teaching. The Office of Clinical Experiences and Candidate Services will notify you when you should apply for clearances.

Field Placement in Schools 

All field placements, including student teaching, are arranged by the Office of Clinical Experiences and Candidate Services with collaboration from the Field Coordinator. Students are not to solicit placements. While student needs are considered in assigning placements, no particular placement can be guaranteed. All placements are within one hour of the university. Transportation to and from field placements and student teaching is the responsibility of the individual student.   

PRAXIS II for Music Education Majors

For required tests and scores, see the following:

Music Ed program requirements

Educator Preparation Programs requirements

  1. Candidates must take (but not necessarily pass) the required PRAXIS tests in order to enter the student teaching internship.
  2. Candidates must provide scores of all PRAXIS tests (both passing and non-passing attempts) to the Chair of Music Education and Music Therapy.
  3. Candidates must take (but not necessarily pass) the required PRAXIS II test (Fundamental Subjects Content Knowledge) as a prerequisite for MUE 332.
  4. Candidates must schedule and take (but not necessarily pass) the required PRAXIS II test (Music Content Knowledge) immediately upon completion of MHL 212 and as a prerequisite for MUE 431/MUE 432.
  5. Music Education students must pass the Praxis II in order to obtain PA Teacher Certification.

Professors

Marci Major (2016)

Chairperson, Music Education and Music Therapy

B.S., West Chester University; M.M., Michigan State University; Ph.D., The Ohio State University

Mark Gregory Martin (2011)

Graduate Coordinator, Wells School of Music

B.M.E., Eastern Kentucky University; M.M.A., James Madison University; D.M.A., University of Texas

Associate Professor

Angela Guerriero (2002)

B.S., M.Ed., M.M., West Chester University; M.A. Immaculata University; Ph.D., Drexel University

Assistant Professor

Nancy Witmer (2016)

B.A., M.Ed., Frostburg State University; D.M.A., Boston University

Instructor

Adam J. Gumble (2018)

B.M., M.M., West Chester University; M.M., Boston University

AEB

AEB 101. Elementary Band. 0.5 Credits.

Contact department for more information about this course.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.

AEO

AEO 101. Elementary Orchestra. 0.5 Credits.

Contact department for more information about this course.
Pre / Co requisites: AEO 101 requires prerequisite of ASC 191.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.

AIM

AIM 311. Marching Band Techniques. 1 Credit.

A survey of the function of the total marching band and of each component within it.
Typically offered in Fall.

AJZ

AJZ 365. Jazz Ensemble Techniques. 0.5 Credits.

Techniques and methods for organizing, rehearsing, programming, and operating jazz ensembles.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MDA

MDA 240. Integrating the Arts within the Elementary Classroom. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to prepare the elementary classroom teacher (PK-4) to teach academic subjects more meaningfully through the art disciplines of creative movement, music, and visual art. The emphasis of this course is to study how the integration of the arts into the curriculum can provide children with essential problem solving skills that use both creative and critical thinking.
Gen Ed Attribute: Arts Distributive Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MPT

MPT 101. Introduction to Music Therapy. 1 Credit.

This course serves as an introduction to the music therapy profession. Students will learn about the history of the profession, orientations and approaches, research methodologies, and clinical applications of music therapy through experiential learning and writing.
Typically offered in Fall.

MPT 191. Clinical Music Improvisation. 1 Credit.

This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to develop skills in facilitating clinical improvisation experiences. Students will use piano, guitar, voice, percussion, and their main performance instrument to engage in and lead improvisatory musical experiences. Students will review basic skills and terminology and examine their own music improvisation tendencies. Important models of improvisational music therapy will be examined through reading and experiential class work.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MPT 192. Functional Music Skills (Piano/Voice). 1 Credit.

This course is designed to develop course participants' functional music-making skills necessary for clinical practice. The primary focus will be on piano and voice through developing and performing a diverse repertoire of songs to meet the therapeutic needs of clients across a variety of clinical populations and settings. A variety of styles will be explored through sight-reading, transposition, creating lead sheets, and facilitating group music-making experiences.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.

MPT 193. Functional Music Skills (Guitar/Voice). 1 Credit.

This course is designed to develop course participants' functional music-making skills necessary for clinical practice. The primary focus will be on guitar and voice through developing and performing a diverse repertoire of songs to meet the therapeutic needs of clients across a variety of clinical populations and settings. A variety of styles will be explored through sight-reading, transposition, creating lead sheets, and facilitating group music-making experiences.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.

MPT 240. Fundamentals of Music Therapy. 3 Credits.

This course provides a survey of the music therapy profession. Students will learn about music therapy literature, current practice, multicultural considerations, and clinical applications of music therapy through experiential learning, research, and writing.
Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MPT 300. Music Therapy Research. 1 Credit.

This course provides an overview of music therapy research and literature. Students will gain library literacy and learn effective search methodologies. Students will develop an understanding of research methodologies and will learn to critically analyze and interpret research with the purpose of integrating it into clinical practice.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MPT 331. Music Therapy Principles I (Pediatrics). 3 Credits.

This course is designed to equip the future music therapist with the necessary skills and knowledge of methods and materials required to successfully facilitate individual, group, and family music therapy sessions with pediatric clientele. Field observations (practicum) placements in pediatric clinical settings are a part of the course.
Pre / Co requisites: MPT 331 requires prerequisites of MPT 101 and MPT 240.
Gen Ed Attribute: Diversity Requirement, Writing Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MPT 332. Music Therapy Principles II (Adults). 3 Credits.

This course is designed to equip the future music therapist with the necessary skills and knowledge of methods and materials required to successfully facilitate individual, group, and family music therapy sessions with adult clientele. Field observations (practicum) placements in adult clinical settings are a part of the course. This course is intended to develop a student's ability to think critically and analytically about the form and function inherent in the therapeutic process and to communicate effectively.
Pre / Co requisites: MPT 332 requires prerequisites of MPT 101, MPT 240, and MPT 331 or department permission.
Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MPT 333. Music Therapy Principles III (Older Adults). 3 Credits.

This course is designed to equip the future music therapist with the necessary skills and knowledge of methods and materials required to successfully facilitate individual, group, and family music therapy sessions with older adult clientele. Field observations (practicum) placements in older adult clinical settings are a part of the course. This course is intended to develop a student's ability to think critically and analytically about the form and function inherent in the therapeutic process and to communicate effectively.
Pre / Co requisites: MPT 333 requires prerequisites of MPT 101, MPT 240, MPT 331, and MPT 332, or department permission.
Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MPT 431. Music Therapy Pre-Internship I. 3 Credits.

Course participants are expected to complete a music therapy fieldwork experience at an approved clinical site, accompanied by an ongoing clinical training seminar at West Chester University. This course is intended to develop a student's ability to think critically and analytically about the form and function inherent in the therapeutic process.
Pre / Co requisites: MPT 431 requires prerequisites of MPT 101, MPT 240, MPT 331, MPT 332, and MPT 333.
Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Spring.

MPT 432. Music Therapy Pre-Internship II. 3 Credits.

Course participants are expected to complete a music therapy fieldwork experience at an approved clinical site, accompanied by an ongoing clinical training seminar at West Chester University. This course is intended to develop a student's ability to think critically and analytically about the form and function inherent in the therapeutic process.
Pre / Co requisites: MPT 432 requires prerequisites of MPT 101, MPT 240, MPT 331, MPT 332, MPT 333, and MPT 431.
Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall.

MPT 491. Music Therapy Internship. 1 Credit.

Course participants are expected to complete a music therapy internship at an approved university-affiliated clinical site or AMTA National Roster Site, accompanied by an ongoing clinical training seminar.
Pre / Co requisites: MPT 491 requires prerequisites of MPT 431 and MPT 432.
Consent: Permission of the Department required to add.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

MUE

MUE Q01. Prof Qualifying Remediation. 0 Credits.

Designed to present musicianship skills for students who have failed the Professional Qualifying Examination.
Repeatable for Credit.

MUE 101. Elementary Choir. 0.5 Credits.

The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with the organization, administration, fundamental rehearsal techniques and resources for a successful beginning choral program in today's public schools. In this course future choral conductors continue their development of fundamental conducting skills learned in basic conducting, while incorporating those skills into a choral rehearsal setting.
Typically offered in Fall.

MUE 150. Innovations in Music Education: Rock Band. 2 Credits.

This is a performance ensemble course in which students learn to rehearse and perform in a contemporary, popular music venue via a small band (typically 4-6 members). Educational emphasis is placed on group communication and collaboration, creative exploration, music technology, group leadership skills, and expanding student knowledge of popular music. Styles studied and performed include any and all popular genres (e.g., rock, pop, RB) and their related sub-genres.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.

MUE 201. Music Education Seminar. 0.5 Credits.

A seminar introducing the philosophical foundations of music education and the structure of the school music program. Required for all music education majors prior to MUE 331.

MUE 220. Music for Diverse Learners. 3 Credits.

This course provides undergraduate music education and music therapy candidates with the skills, knowledge, understandings, and attitudes necessary to meet the needs of students with diverse needs in an inclusive music education classroom, including an emphasis on ethical decision-making.
Gen Ed Attribute: Ethics Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MUE 232. Music in Early Childhood. 3 Credits.

Designed to equip the teacher of early childhood to develop specific concepts utilizing singing, rhythmic, and melodic activities. Emphasis on listening and movement to music.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MUE 235. Teaching the Children's Choir. 3 Credits.

This seminar will prepare the Music Education candidate to develop, administer, teach, and lead children's choirs. Candidates will gain hands on experience with management and rehearsal techniques. Class meets two times per week; 1 hour in class 2 hour lab.

MUE 301. Music Technology for Educators and Therapists. 1 Credit.

This course provides an overview of music technology for music educators and music therapists. Students will gain technology literacy and learn how to critically examine technology for the music classroom and music therapy settings. Students will develop an understanding of available technology with the purpose of integrating it into the classroom and clinical practice.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MUE 331. Music Methods and Materials I. 3 Credits.

The study of music and the learning process at the elementary level to include Dalcroze, Kodaly, and Orff.
Pre / Co requisites: MUE 331 requires prerequisites of MUE 201 and VOC 311 or AIC 311 and formal admission into teacher education. Current Act 34, Act 114, ACT 151 clearances and TB test valid for semester.
Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis.

MUE 332. Music Methods and Materials II. 3 Credits.

The study of music and the learning process at the secondary level to include technology, listening skills, multicultural diversity, general music programs, and administrative skills.
Pre / Co requisites: MUE 332 requires prerequisites of MUE 331 and formal admission into teacher education. Current Act 34, Act 114, Act 151 Clearances and TB test valid for semester.
Gen Ed Attribute: Diversity Requirement, Writing Emphasis.

MUE 333. Instrumental Methods and Materials. 2 Credits.

Fundamentals underlying the development of instrumental programs in the public schools. Emphasis on program organization and administration, teaching procedures, and materials.
Pre / Co requisites: MUE 333 requires prerequisites of VOC 311 or AIC 311 and formal admission into teacher education and co-requisite of MUE 331 or MUE 332.

MUE 335. Choral Methods and Materials. 2 Credits.

Designed to acquaint the student with a variety of choral music suitable for school use. Program planning and rehearsal techniques are demonstrated.
Pre / Co requisites: MUE 335 requires prerequisites of VOC 311 or AIC 311 and MUE 331 or MUE 332 and formal admission into teacher education.

MUE 337. Instrumental Techniques and Materials. 2 Credits.

For juniors and seniors who desire to specialize in instrumental music. Considers rehearsal procedures, effective materials, minor repairs of instruments, competitions and festivals, and marching band procedures.
Pre / Co requisites: MUE 337 requires prerequisite of MUE 333.
Typically offered in Spring.

MUE 340. Fundamentals of Music Therapy. 3 Credits.

This course serves as an introduction to the music therapy profession. Students will learn about basic music therapy literature, current practice, and clinical applications of music as therapy through experiential learning, research, and writing.
Pre / Co requisites: MUE 340 requires a prerequisite of Music Major.

MUE 430. Related Arts Pedagogy In Music Education. 3 Credits.

Principles of related-arts teaching applicable to musical elements, art, and creative movement, with appropriate teaching techniques at specified grade levels. Materials for school music programs; basal music series, other texts and literature, and resources in related arts. Demonstration lessons and unit planning.

MUE 431. Student Teaching I. 6 Credits.

Observation and participation in teaching vocal and instrumental music at the elementary level. Undertaken in conjunction with qualified cooperative teachers. Professional conferences and visits are an integral part of the experience.
Pre / Co requisites: MUE 431 requires prerequisites of Teacher Candidacy and MUE 332.
Consent: Permission of the Department required to add.
Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

MUE 432. Student Teaching II. 6 Credits.

Observation and teaching general, vocal, and/or instrumental music at the secondary level. Professional conferences and visits are an integral part of the experience.
Pre / Co requisites: MUE 432 requires prerequisites of Teacher Candidacy and MUE 332.
Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.