Music Education
The California State University Northridge Music Education program is one of the largest in the state and has a long history of training excellent teachers of music. Many of the finest public and private school music teachers in California claim CSU Northridge as their alma mater. Located in the ethnically diverse San Fernando Valley, the university is just 20 minutes from the center of the television, film and recording industry.
The undergraduate music education program is designed to prepare students with the skills and knowledge to successfully teach music in K-12 schools. Students receive a BA in Music (Pre-Teaching Credential). Completion of the degree plus the credential year satisfies the requirements for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music. The Music Department’s program is fully approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Our current CSUN Music Education faculty includes:
- Dr. John Whitener
- Karen Surmani
- Linda Mouradian
- Dr. Lawrence Stoffel
- Dr. Katherine Baker
- Wilbur Ibarra
Start your career in music education at CSUN!
Students first apply to CSUN and within a few days receive a music department audition application. Once that application is submitted you will have the opportunity to schedule your performance audition and interview. When making our decision, we take into account your performance audition, interview and GPA from your current or previous schools.
Our curriculum provides a broad based comprehensive approach to the teaching of music through experiences in aural skills; theory; improvisation; technology; conducting and arranging; history; world music; choral, general and instrumental methods; observation and field experiences; small and large ensembles and private lessons. Music education students take private lessons and play n the same ensembles as all performance majors and other music students.
Music Education students are encouraged to join NAfME, the National Association for Music Education, through their Collegiate Chapter on the CSU Northridge campus. Local, state and national membership enables students to attend conferences, professional development events and provides them with an active connection to the profession both at the university and beyond.
Credential Program
The Credential Program is a fifth year of study that follows the BA degree. This program, that includes two semesters of student teaching, must be completed to receive a California teaching credential that is required in order to teach in California Public Schools. Music education graduates who complete the credential program are in high demand for music teaching positions in Southern California and throughout the state.
CSU Northridge Music Department maintains a close relationship with area schools allowing students many early opportunities to observe and experience teaching prior to student teaching. These schools, as well, provide diverse urban and suburban settings with outstanding mentor teachers for student teacher placements during the credential program.