Overview

Throughout the Music Education from North Central College even with new licensure and teaching requirements, it is still possible to complete your music teacher education bachelor's degree within a four-year time frame (comparable programs require five).

As a music education major, you’ll also enjoy more face time teaching music in front of students—at least 180 field-experience hours—than typically required. Why? Because we know the additional teaching and conducting experience will hone your educator skills, boost your confidence and help lead to competitive full-time teaching positions. Graduates of North Central’s music education program have enjoyed a nearly 100 percent job placement rate in the past several years.

As prospective music teachers, you will graduate having developed and mastered the skill-levels needed to enter the workforce. From building relationships with schools in the local Chicago area, to maturing your music performance and style. Earning a music education degree can allow you to have various rewarding jobs! From working in special education programs employing the use of music therapy, to teaching young aspiring musicians in high school.

You can also:

Perform in a variety of campus venues and ensembles—our more than 20 student groups range from small to large instrumental and choral ensembles.
Be awarded vocal, instrumental or jazz performance scholarships as well as a music education scholarship, renewable for four years.
Student-teach in Naperville-area, high-performing school districts; you’ll use new technologies, learn from their great teachers, and make valuable connections with their administrators.
Learn to teach in high-need areas through our partnerships with schools in Aurora and Chicago (scholarships and incentives are often available).
Attend the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or Lyric Opera every week, as some students have done—Chicago is just a short train ride away.
Apply to graduate school, take your teaching education to a graduate level, and learn more about education leadership.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Music Theory
Aural Skills
Music Now
Doing Music History
Doing Ethnomusicology
Elements of Conducting

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-08-15 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2026-08-15 00:00:00 , Local
Starting 2027-01-06 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2027-01-02 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2027-01-02 00:00:00 , Local

More details

Home students: You may apply for admission throughout the year, although it is encouraged you do so in the fall of your senior year.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

128 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Naperville, United States

Disciplines

Education Music View 2684 other Bachelors in Music in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Because we look at each application on an individual basis, we encourage you to contact your admission counselor to discuss your individual circumstances. While not required, you may wish to submit additional information such as:

Test Scores

Test-optional FAQ
SAT, North Central College code: 1555
ACT, North Central College code: 1096
Classic Learning Test, accepted in lieu of the SAT and ACT for students applying to Shimer Great Books School

Optional information we will consider:Supplemental Documents

Writing samples
Letters of recommendation
Documentation of extenuating circumstances

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

46810 USD / year

≈ 46810 USD / year
Out-of-State

46810 USD / year

≈ 46810 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

46810 USD / year

≈ 46810 USD / year

Additional Details

Academic year fee: $47,340
Fall/Spring / Semester: $23,670

Living costs

Naperville

United States

1120 - 1880 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

At North Central, we offer a variety of competitive merit-based scholarships that are awarded based off G.P.A. Scholarships range from $28,000- $34,000 and are renewable for 4 years. Your achievements and special talents in other academic and activity areas, like education and the fine arts, could result in additional scholarship opportunities as well.

You're eligible for one of the international first-year or transfer scholarships if you are not a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or U.S. national. Learn more at the link: https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/admission/international-scholarships

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Music Education.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

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Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

Naperville

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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