Graduates of this program become music teachers in educational institutions, both public (Hawai‘i Department of Education and Public Charter Schools) and private.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be recommended for licensure to teach music in the state of Hawai‘i.

Once completing an initial teacher licensure program, graduates are eligible to apply for a state license through the Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board, which will allow the licensee to teach in public and charter schools in the State of Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i also participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement which facilitates the mobility of educators among states that are members of NASDTEC. UH Mānoa recommends you contact the office of certification in any state to which you may be relocating to get the most current information. See NASDTEC website for more information.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must have a BA in music or BM in music from a regionally accredited institution
  • For applicants who graduated from institutions outside of the U.S- an evaluation of your transcripts from a NACES member is required.
• 2.75 cumulative GPA
• Complete 40 hours of paid or voluntary group leadership field experience

Application Criteria

• Submit a College of Education application
• Submit a UH Mānoa Application
• Write a personal statement
• Provide Three (3) Professional References

Once you submit your application materials, you must also sign-up to complete a Music Education interview. Date(s) will be announced during the second week of the fall semester. When you attend your interview, please bring your 40-hour fieldwork form as well.

Tuition Cost (36+ credits)

Depending on prior coursework taken in music, candidates may need additional coursework to fulfill music content knowledge requirements.

Note: This program charges undergraduate tuition rates. See Outreach College tuition and fees.

• Resident: Approximately $480/credit x 36 credits = $17,280
• Non-Resident: Approximately $1,398/credit x 36 credits = $50,328

There are many resources available to help students pay for college, including College of Education scholarships. Additional scholarships may be found in the Financial Support section of the general financial aid website. For more information on financial aid and additional resources, please visit the UH Mānoa Financial Aid Office (finaid@hawaii.edu).

This program is a campus-based program at the UH Mānoa campus with in-person classes held during the day.

This is a 36+ credit certificate program. Additional music courses may be needed, depending on whether coursework had already been completed during the BA or BM degree. The program advisor would meet with each candidate and share more information related to specific program requirements. 

• General breakdown of program coursework:
  • Spring Courses
    • STE 401: Engaging the Adolescent Learner
      • Note: MUS 250 (1 credit) and MUS 451 (2 credits) are substitutes for STE 401
    • STE 402(n): Teaching Practicum, Supervised Field Experience, 2 days/week + Seminar
      • Note: MUS 354L, 355L, 356L are substitutes for STE 402
    • STE 440: Curriculum Implications of Multicultural Education (H, WI)
  • Summer Courses
    • EDEF 610: Foundation of Educational Theory
    • EDEP 631: Adolescence and Education
  • Term 2 (Fall)
    • STE 402(Alpha): Teaching Practicum, Field Experience, 2 days/week + Seminar
      • Note: MUS 354L, 355L, 356L are substitutes for STE 402
    • STE 404(Alpha): Teaching in the Subject Field (WI)
      • Note: MUS 354, 355, 356 are substitutes for STE 404
    • SPED 445 Educating Exceptional Students in Regular Classrooms, Secondary
      • Note: MUS 454 substitutes for SPED 445
  • Term 3 (Spring)
    • STE 405(Alpha): Teaching Residency, Supervised Full-Time Teaching, 5 days/week (9 credits)
    • STE 406: Seminar in Teaching Residency (3 credits)

Please refer to the Post Bac Music program sheet for more details.