<p>VicAria is correct, and I’ll try and break it down in a bit more detail.</p>
<p>The BA is a liberal arts degree, with roughly 25-35% of the coursework within the major, the balance across liberal arts, general graduation requirements and electives. In a BS, BM or BFA program, the percentages are typically reversed, with the major constituting the bulk of the coursework. A good background thread is here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/561184-help-understanding-ba-vs-bfa-vs-bm.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/561184-help-understanding-ba-vs-bfa-vs-bm.html</a>, and there is additional info in BassDad’s post here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html</a></p>
<p>Music education is a fairly rigid sequencing of coursework, built on a series of prerequisites in general educational theory, psychology and practice, music specific teaching methodologies and practicums, broad discipline knowledge including music theory, history, ear training, basic piano skills, conducting, and specialty (band/vocal/orchestra), as well as state mandated general requirements for teacher certification. These typically include US History, English, a math, a lab science, a health course. One semester is devoted to offsite student teaching assignments. At the BM level, there are typically more requirements in terms of private instruction on voice or instrument, more performance and ensemble obligations. The BS can vary, sometimes the additional depth is in the educational coursework, sometimes within the music specific coursework, depending on how the program is structured. Search the forum, advanced/titles with “music ed” or “music education” as the criteria. Much has been written previously.</p>
<p>The audition based component in a BM or BFA performance arts degree pursuit cannot be ignored, as it is typically the most weighted factor in determining admissions, although academic stats and grades are important, particularly for music ed candidates. The talent pool varies by program and discipline, some “easier” than others. Music ed typically requires an audition (even at the BA level), and an interview step as well. The audition standards are usually not set to the higher level of a performance candidate, but some programs will expect a performance admit skill level. Keep in mind that there never truly is a safety within an audition based admit process. There are BA/BS admits that are non audition admits, but will require an audition or jury process to continue within the program. </p>
<p>As KatMT suggests, the BM in music ed with a minor in theater might work. If your desire is to teach music within a k-12 setting, the music ed degree (coupled with initial licensure) is the main goal. You can add specific theater coursework to fill as many credits as possible, but it would be highly institution specific, as a number of schools close or limit coursework in the performance disciplines to majors only, particularly in the upper divisions. </p>
<p>The BA/BS approach to a music ed degree may provide more flexibility in opening additional slots for theater electives, but the issue here becomes what may be “lost” from the BM curriculum. Many BM, BS and some BA programs will assure a successful student is initially certified or provisionally licensed to teach (within that state’s borders) provided all course requirements and external parameters (PRAXIS I, II, documentation/application to certifying board are met); some do not, and may not fulfill all the parameters required for licensure. There is nothing “wrong” with a BA or BS in music ed; the BM is not mandatory, but the key is knowing what to look for and what the end result will be.</p>
<p>Much of the detailed information you need to research will not be found in the general admission or music department pages of a school’s website. The nitty gritty of degree requirements, minor options, restrictions, credit overload fees will be within the undergrad handbook (and often the music specific supplement), typically a pdf or word file found in a link on the school’s academic website pages.</p>
<p>There are many who enter as dual major students in performance/music education, and a good portion of these programs are five, not four year offerings. The credit/time intensive nature, performance/practice obligations, and mandatory offsite practicums and supervised teaching experience dictate the length. Any glitch in scheduling or academic performance can add even additional time. And remember, time=$.</p>
<p>One more: please stay out of the “chances” forum. The validity is questionable at best, and you will receive no valid input if you factor in an audition based criteria. Do yourself a favor.</p>