Ithaca College

Ithaca recommends taking 31 credits, including:

• Music performance and ensemble classes
• Introduction to music education
• Courses that will help you meet the college-wide general education requirements

Ithaca recommends taking 31 credits, including:

• Music performance and ensemble classes
• Music education classes
• Foundational education classes

You may have your first fieldwork experience this year connected to a course on inclusivity and special education. By the end of your second year, you should have completed the three 0-credit, state-mandated workshops offered by the college.

Ithaca recommends taking a total of 31 credits, including:

• Music performance and ensemble classes
• Advanced classes in teaching music
• Classes that will meet general education requirements

Importantly, this third year is also when you will complete your junior student teaching!

The fourth year begins with a full semester (12 credits) of student teaching and completing all coursework, including the final required courses in general education. You will also want to complete your state tests during this year so that you are eligible for certification shortly after you graduate in May!

You will complete at least 100 hours of fieldwork before your junior student teaching experience in your third year. These hours will be completed in conjunction with your music education coursework, which will provide you with the opportunity to discuss and reflect on your observations throughout your four years in the program.

Your coursework and field experiences will prepare you to work with diverse learners in an inclusive classroom environment.

You will:

• Take a three-credit class, with 15 hours of field experience included, on understanding the principles of inclusive education and students identified through the special education system.
• Spend at least 15 hours of your 100 hours of field experience working with and observing students for whom English is a new language.
• Write observation reports and reflections associated with all of your field hours, focusing on students from underrepresented and historically marginalized populations and how your host teachers work to meet the needs of all learners in their classrooms.

The year before student teaching, you will meet one-on-one with the Music Education Senior Student Teaching Coordinator to determine which types of placements and locations would be the best for you. The Senior Student Teaching Coordinator works with college supervisors across regions to connect you with a highly qualified mentor.

A college-approved supervisor with extensive experience in music education will supervise all of your field experience. Your senior student teaching supervisor will:

• Visit your classroom
• Conduct observations
• Provide feedback
• Monitor your progress
• Facilitate discussions between you and your mentor teacher

Faculty from all Ithaca College teacher education programs collaborate to monitor, assess and analyze programs, earning Ithaca full accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. Local K-12 partners are eager to partner with Ithaca by providing strong mentor teachers and serving on the Educational Advisory Council. Ithaca College teacher educators guide you through carefully designed and supervised programs where theory, research and practice combine to provide a solid foundation for you to become an engaged and effective teacher for all students.