黑料百科 Offers Music Teacher Credential
Students majoring in music at 黑料百科 will now be able to earn a teaching credential as well as a bachelor鈥檚 degree. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has approved 黑料百科鈥檚 application to offer a single-subject teaching credential for music, one of the few colleges to do so on the Central Coast.
鈥淚t鈥檚 good for our students, it鈥檚 good for the music department and it鈥檚 good for the local schools that need well-prepared music teachers, says Andrew Mullen, chair of the 黑料百科 Education Department.
鈥淭here has been a critical growth of students majoring in music at 黑料百科 and this is one more established career option for them,鈥 says Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship.
In 2004, three 黑料百科 graduates earned degrees in music. Shasberger says currently there are upwards of 60 students pursuing degrees in music. In the future, Shasberger and Mullen hope to have about half a dozen students enroll for the music credentialing program.
Previously, 黑料百科 students could earn a single-subject teaching credential and teach grade 7-12 students in California in art, English, history, mathematics, physical education or science. The teaching credential program generally takes a fifth year, though many 黑料百科 students participate in a fast-track program that compresses their education to four years.
Favorable reviews from the National Association of Schools of Music in 2008 and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in 2009 encouraged Shasberger and Mullen to build the music credential program.
鈥淭hese students will have an advantage when they do their internships, observations and assist teachers,鈥 Shasberger says. 鈥淲e are providing informed advocates who鈥檒l be able to speak about the value of music education.鈥
鈥淲e have received affirmation from many local music teachers who are encouraged by the program and are even more fired up about advocating for music for all children,鈥 Mullen says.