<p>So, here's the deal: I've been looking at schools, and I would really love to go to a conservatory to get a BFA in musical theater.... but my parents don't think it's a reasonable use of money and would rather send me to a university with a strong musical theater program. One of their reasons is because they don't think a BFA will be able to get me into graduate school. Is it possible for me to go to a conservatory, earn my BFA in four years, then go to graduate school for music education??? (also, I'm sorry if there's already a thread about this!)</p>
<p>I believe that for Music Education graduate school admissions you would have an easier time being admitted if your undergraduate degree was a BM. It could be possible with a BFA if you could take a lot of supplementary music courses in addition to your BFA courses.</p>
<p>Do YOU want to go be a K-12 music teacher?</p>
<p>KatMT is dead on. The Musical Theatre degree will give you the tools necessary to get either an MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) in Music Ed. nor will it get you into an M.A. program. You could conceivably take enough classes in music to make that possible. You don’t need the music degree, but you do need certain skills.</p>
<p>The key to understanding many of the MM education programs is also being aware of what the grad admissions requirements will be. A good portion require a degree in music ed or equivalent (either BA, BS, BFA or BM), plus many may also require that a candidate already hold an initial or provisional license as a teacher. The equivalent is often read as a strong background in theory, history, piano skills, aural training and hih level instruction on a specific instrument, in your case voice.</p>
<p>It will pay to do some background research. You will have options, but it can close the door to a number of MM programs.</p>
<p>Just a heads-up.</p>
<p>Thanks KATMT. I had the same question since my daughter is planning to attend BoCo. Would it be difficult to attain an MA in teaching or theater in the future (as opposed to mus. ed?). Does anyone know what her options are if she wants to continue her education with a BFA in MT. She isn’t interested in a “back-up plan” but I am. We are visiting the school this week and I plan to ask them as well.</p>
<p>nydramamama. As a faculty member this is a really frequent question asked by parents. There are several answers to it, and I’m sure KatMT will actually do a better job. The MA in Theatre isn’t really a terribly useful degree. There are MAT degrees in Theatre Education should you want to teach at the high school level. There are many programs nationwide and most states have at least one. </p>
<p>The M.F.A. is where most performers go. There are MFA programs specifically geared to musical theatre, but not many. This degree is geared towards training for the profession, yet is considered the necessary degree if you would like to teach at the college level.</p>
<p>The M.A. in Theatre is often just the first step to getting a Ph.D. in Theatre. There are several permutations of the Ph.D. that range from a “generalist” degree to degrees that specialize in History, Literature or Criticism. And many more that are specific to other fields of study including Performance Theory. This would be the preferred degree for teaching at the University level in a non-performance field. (Before anyone yells, there are plenty of Ph.D’s who are excellent performers, acting teachers, directing teachers, directors, etc. - this is just a generalized discussion.)</p>
<p>If the “back up plan” is teaching only theatre at the high school level than look for a program that offers a five year program. The fifth year normally will result in an M.ED. (Masters of Education) an M.A.T. (Masters of Arts in Teaching) and either certification or licensure. But the job prospects for someone who only teaches theatre aren’t that fantastic. Now, if you can teach English and Theatre or…?? </p>
<p>There are many undergrad programs that offer degrees in Theatre Education. It isn’t impossible to double major but it is quite difficult. Teaching degrees require time in the classroom and BFA’s require time in the studios and theatre. Often those two things aren’t compatible. </p>
<p>Hope this helps some.</p>
<p>I don’t think the original poster implied that teaching was a “back-up” plan for him (her?), but I know that some people do think about this. As a former high school classroom teacher (social studies and drama, 7 years full-time), I strongly advocate that no one consider teaching who doesn’t really LOVE it. It’s not an easy job, and like kjgc says, being certified in a “non-essential” subject (aka not math or science) will require student teaching and other intensive classroom hours prior to receiving certification. (Sometimes math- and science-qualified people can get emergency teaching certificates if a district has a great need and then do coursework while they are already teaching.) In addition, it’s not easy to get teaching jobs, and schools will “smell” a candidate who doesn’t really have a passion for teaching (unless nepotism comes into play, but that’s a whole different topic). However, teaching is a GREAT option for performers who also love children/teens and are creative and intellectual. Some schools even have Education Theatre (NYU, for one) or Children’s Theatre (Arizona State) master’s degrees, where theatrical concepts and educational concepts are woven together, to facilitate use of theatrical techniques in the classroom and the use of theatre to teach about concepts and events.</p>
<p>Feel free to PM me if you have questions about this kind of teaching-education merger and the career opportunities it presents - I did a lot of coursework in NYU’s Ed Theatre program and love this model!</p>
<p>kjgc and Coach C: Thanks for your helpful responses. Although its all premature, seems like the MFA would be the way to go in my d’s case.</p>
<p>concur with violadad, kjgc, and CoachC</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>There’s a very good discussion about double majors, minors, grad school in a different major after music performance undergrad, etc at the Peabody Conservatory site that could be helpful to this discussion:
[Peabody</a> Institute - Conservatory Admissions: The Double Degree Dilemma](<a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/doubledegree]Peabody”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/doubledegree)
And, no, they don’t do “King & I.” Too bad. I adored attending that school, 100 years or so ago!</p>
<p>I know that many states (including NY–but check on this) allow secondary English teachers to teach theatre, but with a secondary theatre education degree, you may not be able to teach English.</p>
<p>With budgets the way they are, and so few teaching jobs, school districts will likely be looking for someone who can teach both theatre and English with their certification. So that is something to look into.</p>
<p>D doesn’t want music ed as a “back up” job, but perhaps as a second career. I did the same and worked in the business world (marketing communications) with my English BA degree for a dozen years before I went back to school for education. I now teach reading at the elementary level, but am also certified in Elementary Ed and English (7 -12).</p>
<p>For that reason, D is attending NYU and getting her BM degree in vocal performance with a concentration in MT. She will easily qualify for Music Ed master’s programs with her degree whenever she choses to pursue it. NYU is currently offering a new program whereby you get your BM degree in VP (MT) and then get a MA (or MS?) in Music Ed in the 5th year. D decided not to pursue it now because she is not yet ready to teach, but some of her friends are going for it so they will have their masters in only one year.</p>