Auburn University
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Frequently Asked Questions

°Does Auburn offer music degrees?
°What do I need to do to apply/audition/prepare for freshman music studies?
°What about transferring to Auburn?
°How do I change my major to music education?
°Are there any music scholarships?
°Are degrees accredited?
°What classes do I need to take?
°What else goes on in Music?
°After I start college how do I know if I am taking the right courses and meeting requirements?

Does Auburn offer music degrees?

Auburn University offers the Bachelor's Degree in Music Education (B.M.E.). Students select an emphasis in either instrumental or choral music. Graduates are certified to teach music in grade levels N-12. A Bachelor of Arts and a music minor is offered by the Music Department. Master's, Ed.S., and Ph.D. degrees in music education are offered.

What do I need to do to apply/audition/prepare for freshman music studies?

First, decide where you want to go to college. To help you decide, contact the professor who teaches your principal instrument and ask if you can schedule a lesson together. They should be willing to do this for no fee, although it may be difficult to find a convenient date/time for both of you. So call or E-mail them at least 2 months before you will be visiting campus. This is the person you will be spending the most one-on-one time with during your four years in college so you need to find out if they "know their stuff," have high expectations, and if they will have time for YOU. You should be able to find their E-mail address or phone number on the music department web site of that college. Also find out if freshmen have any chance of participating in the ensembles in which you are interested.Then, after you have decided on Auburn, Music Education majors follow the same admissions process as all other A.U. students. Make sure you check College of Education on the application form. APPLY EARLY (at least a year ahead of time) as Auburn has many more applicants than space allows. Decide what your prinicpal instrument of study will be (voice, piano, organ, band instruments, orchestral strings). No auditions are required for admission, but are required for ensemble placement and scholarships. Take some piano lessons if you can. Learn all scales and arpeggios on your principal instrument. Invest in some ear training software. Classes move QUICKLY in college and you don't want to be behind from the beginning.

What about transferring to Auburn?

See Auburn's admissions page for information about transferring. Make sure that you are following the AGSC & STARS site at the Transfer students web site. Take music theory, piano, and applied performance at your current school. See advice above for freshman applicants.

How do I change my major to music education?

To transfer into education, a student must sign out his/her file folder from the current dean's office and bring it to 3464 Haley Center for evaluation to determine eligibility to declare a major in education. If an applicant is found eligible, a Professional Education Services (PES) advisor will process the paperwork to complete the transfer. To transfer out of education, a student obtains his/her file folder and a green transfer sheet from the secretary in 3464 Haley Center and then reports to the new dean's office.

Are there any music scholarships?

Yes, see the Music Department web site for scholarship audition dates. The College of Education also has an extensive offering of scholarships, mostly for upperclassmen.

Are degrees accredited?

All music education degrees are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Auburn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Music education teacher certification programs are approved by the Alabama State Department of Education.

What classes do I need to take?

Incoming freshmen will be assisted with registration at Camp War Eagle. See the curriculum checklists and curriculum guides on the Advising page. MAKE SURE that you follow the sequence exactly. See your faculty advisor (Dr. Walls for instrumentalists, Dr. Kuehne for vocalists) if any other questions about classes.

What else goes on in Music?

Check out the excellent Music Department page.

After I start college how do I know if I am taking the right courses and meeting requirements?

You should periodically check your plan of study with your faculty adviser during the Advisement Periods. Check out the B.M.E. Handbook. Your Music Education faculty adviser is only an E-mail away (Dr. Walls or Dr. Kuehne ).