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University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

PK-12

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

PK-12

Browse programs

Quick links

BM Music Education

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

PK-12

Program Recognition

Bachelor of Music in Music Education, PK-12 certification (120 credit hours)

Prepares teachers for both instrumental and choral music in PK-12 settings

NASM-accredited member institution

Nebraska teaching certification on graduation, valid in many other states through reciprocity

Partnership with UNK's College of Education

Training

Music theory, aural skills, history, conducting, and elementary and secondary teaching methods

Early and frequent field experiences in Kearney and area schools

Culminating student-teaching experience under a successful music educator

Private studio instruction and large-ensemble participation

Career Preparation

Graduates certified to teach music in any public or private school in Nebraska

100% employment rate for music graduates in their field (2020-2024)

Value

Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

In-state tuition available to all students through New Nebraskan Scholarship

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.54

Admit rate

89%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

4.1K

Earnings

$50K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$8,922

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$16,134

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$28,536

Before aid

Average net price

$16,242

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · unk.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 3d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Bachelor of Music in Music Education, PK-12 certification (120 credit hours)

Prepares teachers for both instrumental and choral music in PK-12 settings

NASM-accredited member institution

Nebraska teaching certification on graduation, valid in many other states through reciprocity

Partnership with UNK's College of Education

Training

Music theory, aural skills, history, conducting, and elementary and secondary teaching methods

Early and frequent field experiences in Kearney and area schools

Culminating student-teaching experience under a successful music educator

Private studio instruction and large-ensemble participation

Career Preparation

Graduates certified to teach music in any public or private school in Nebraska

100% employment rate for music graduates in their field (2020-2024)

Value

Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

In-state tuition available to all students through New Nebraskan Scholarship

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Bachelor of Music in Music Education, PK-12 certification (120 credit hours)

Prepares teachers for both instrumental and choral music in PK-12 settings

NASM-accredited member institution

Nebraska teaching certification on graduation, valid in many other states through reciprocity

Partnership with UNK's College of Education

Training

Music theory, aural skills, history, conducting, and elementary and secondary teaching methods

Early and frequent field experiences in Kearney and area schools

Culminating student-teaching experience under a successful music educator

Private studio instruction and large-ensemble participation

Career Preparation

Graduates certified to teach music in any public or private school in Nebraska

100% employment rate for music graduates in their field (2020-2024)

Value

Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

In-state tuition available to all students through New Nebraskan Scholarship

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$45

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Apply · unk.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

On-Campus (Kearney)

Jan 22, 2027Feb 12 & 27, 2027Mar 1, 2027

Remote/ZoomFeb 20, 2027

Audition Info · unk.edu

Audition Requirements

Repertoire

Prepare prepared literature on your principal instrument or voice (the performance area with which you most closely identify)

Voice: two contrasting songs from memory — e.g. a folksong arrangement, an art song in English, or an old Italian song; a Broadway musical selection is also appropriate

Brass: two etudes or short concert/contest pieces (one lyrical, one technical)

Woodwinds: two movements or selections in contrasting styles

Strings: two contrasting pieces or etudes at the minimum Suzuki Book III-IV level for your instrument

Percussion: two short selections in contrasting styles at Grade 3-4 level on two instruments

Guitar: two contrasting pieces using fingering and strumming techniques

Organ: one Bach Little Prelude and Fugue (or comparable) and one hymn

Piano: two short selections of comparable or greater difficulty than the two-part Inventions of J.S. Bach

Accompaniment

Bring your own accompanist, use a UNK-provided accompanist, or perform with pre-recorded accompaniment you provide

To use a UNK accompanist, email your audition selections to Dr. John Petzet at least two weeks before your audition

Audition Info · unk.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to UNK before auditioning

No separate audition application portal required

Program Requirements

Admitted students take music theory and piano skills diagnostic exams on the audition day — for course placement and advising only, not admission

Students who do not pass the theory placement exam enroll in MUS 098 Fundamentals of Music

Important Notes

Rolling admissions. No fixed application deadline

Students who do not meet admission requirements may be admitted provisionally

Departmental approval required to change applied music area or academic program after acceptance

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

Admission to the music program as a major or minor requires an entrance audition on your principal instrument or voice

In-person audition strongly encouraged for full consideration

Remote audition possible only for students unable to attend due to extreme distance — contact Dr. John Petzet at petzetj@unk.edu to arrange

Audition consists of an individual performance of prepared literature; instrumentalists also complete a short sight-reading demonstration, vocalists do not sight-read

Plan to spend time on campus meeting music faculty and exploring the university

Admission to Teacher Education (College of Education) is required later in the program, before field experiences and student teaching

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

Over $200,000 awarded annually across the music program

Available to both majors and minors

Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

Some scholarships may require participation in two ensembles per semester

Tuition Benefit

In-state tuition available to all students through New Nebraskan Scholarship ($234/credit hour)

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.54

Admit rate

89%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

4.1K

Earnings

$50K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$8,922

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$16,134

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$28,536

Before aid

Average net price

$16,242

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · unk.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Bachelor of Music in Music Education, PK-12 certification (120 credit hours)

Prepares teachers for both instrumental and choral music in PK-12 settings

NASM-accredited member institution

Nebraska teaching certification on graduation, valid in many other states through reciprocity

Partnership with UNK's College of Education

Training

Music theory, aural skills, history, conducting, and elementary and secondary teaching methods

Early and frequent field experiences in Kearney and area schools

Culminating student-teaching experience under a successful music educator

Private studio instruction and large-ensemble participation

Career Preparation

Graduates certified to teach music in any public or private school in Nebraska

100% employment rate for music graduates in their field (2020-2024)

Value

Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

In-state tuition available to all students through New Nebraskan Scholarship

Updated 3d ago