<p>My D wants to major in music education (goal is to be high school band director) and double major or dual degree in a foreign language, also getting a 2nd teaching endorsement in the language. Right now she is <em>very</em> interested in living and teaching in our home state, so most advice says that she should go to an in-state university and get certified to teach here. The dilemma comes in because we have 3 viable in-state universities to consider. (1) has a very large number of graduate music students (1:1 ratio of undergrads to grads) and her private teacher said she will not get good quality performing opportunities because the grad students tend to take all the spots. School #2 is in our hometown and she's really wanting to spread her wings and go out-of-town and see something different. She would have more performance opporunities at this U because the program has a larger proportion of undergrads and music classes tend to be taught by real faculty. Her private teacher feels that the studio would not be challenging enough for her at this U and she would not grow enough musically. School #3 is primarily known for music but also for teaching and many say this is the best place to go if you want to teach. We think the education component is probably better, the music is really good, but again the quality of the studio she would study in may be a bit lower.</p>
<p>D is an A++ student in academics (could get in almost anywhere academically), and a B+ student in a very highly competitive instrument and can't make the assumption that she can get it at the more selective music schools. As far as the academic quality of students, U #1 is the best, U #2 is slightly lower (but still pretty good) and she'd be considered a "star" (academically) at U #3. U #3 has less majors and programs available also.</p>
<p>She is looking at some good music ed univerisites out-of-state, and we are more pleased with some of her choices due to the higher academic quality of the student but wondering if it's really a bad decision to major in music ed outside of the state in which you think you want to live and teach. It could slow her down by as much as 1-3 years to get the education elsewhere and then be certified to teach here.</p>
<p>Have any other parents of music ed students here had to consider the same issues? Advice please? Is it better to be one of the best in a lower quality environment or be one of the bottom performers in a very competitive environment?</p>
<p>What instrument? And are the performance opportunities filled by grad students as important to her as an education major as opposed to a performance major? (just playing the devils advocate on the last question----I know every music student wants the opportunity to perform!)</p>
<p>A couple of points to consider:</p>
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<p>In many state sponsored programs, she will be eligible for immediate provisional licensure within that state upon successful program completion. Knowing exactly what a program offers is key in comparing any of the differences between the three instate public options.</p>
<p>without knowing which state you are in, she may or may not want to remain there to teach. A lot might depend on the available opportunities, the number of districts with well supported programs, the economic climate in general and opportunity fo jobs four years hence. There is usually not much issue being re certified in “State B” if you hold Certification in “State A” already.</p>
<p>Consider the placement rates of the three schools in how quickly new grads get job offers. Also, see if you can get a geographic distribution of jobs. Many programs are well known and respected locally/regionally, and others have a national rep.</p>
<p>Talk to instate music educators. What are their feelings, recommendations about the quality of the new grads from each being hired into the systems.</p>
<p>If a studio is beneath her, or if she is at the top of the food chain, she may want to rethink it. My observation is that the best musicians improve in a situation where their peers or at least as good, if not better, so it pays to stretch where possible. One the otherhand, an undergrad at the top of the pool may well benefit and learn from association and opportunities normally afforded to grad students. It’s a double edge sword, and it pays to have first hand info and knowledge of instructor/department policies encouraging or favoring grad/undergrad cross opportunities.</p>
<p>Cost? Think about a MMEd down the road. All things being equal, the less debt now makes paying for the Masters a bit easier. Many states expect a Masters within x number of years.</p>
<p>Forgot to add-----
Your D is on the right track by looking at in state( for music education and reasonable tuition) large U s(for language). My D did her undergrad in performance at a large U and was warned against it because of the strong grad population. D found that with a good teacher and hard work the performance opportunities followed. She was VERY busy her junior and senior year. In fact, a little too busy and by senior year had to learn the art of “NO THANKS”. She graduated in Dec and has been just as busy singing thanks to the liturgical works of Mr Handel and Mr Bach. (she loves that Easter $)</p>