LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University has received approval to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education.

The new academic program has been formally approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality.

Those who graduate from the LHU program will be fully certified to teach music education from kindergarten through 12th grade, said Dr. Mahlon O. Grass, chair of the LHU Performing Arts Department. Unlike other state teaching certifications, the music education certification is comprehensive over all grades, allowing graduates to search for employment opportunities on elementary, middle and high school levels.

“It is an ideal program of study for individuals who desire to conduct a band, orchestra or chorus,” Grass said. “It also prepares individuals to instruct general music studies courses and music theory courses.”

In order to qualify for the program, students who receive an acceptance letter from LHU must pass an audition which involves playing an instrument and sight singing, Grass said. Students also must maintain a 3.0 or higher average to remain in the program, he added.

“To help guide students in the initial phase of the program, we will give bi-weekly orientations,” Grass said. “Also, everybody in the program will receive a handbook, so students will know exactly what to expect.”

To make the accreditation possible, Grass and the other music education faculty worked with Dr. Jane L. Penman, director of Teacher Education at LHU. Penman provided guidance on Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements for teacher preparation programs and reviewed documents prepared by Grass required for the accreditation.

Penman said the new program will add another important facet to teacher education at LHU.

“The music education program allows for another opportunity for students to pursue if they are interested in a career in teaching,” Penman said. “Since we draw many students to the university from area high schools that have very strong music programs, we are hoping this will be an attractive option for new students.”

The accreditation process involved surveying school districts throughout the region about the need for LHU to offer the program, Grass said. The schools surveyed were ones that LHU had relationships with in providing student teachers, he noted.

“It was almost unanimous,” Grass said. “Nearly 97 percent of the schools who responded to our survey said they wanted music education at Lock Haven.”

In meeting the state’s guidelines for music education, the LHU program now covers all of the required methods courses, Grass noted. As the program gets under way, there are seven full time faculty and two part time instructors. Grass said he is particularly excited about the addition of Eddie Severn, a graduate of London’s Royal Military School of Music who will be offering courses in jazz studies. He also is thankful for the collaborative effort needed to bring the program into existence, noting that support from the administration was crucial.

“I was pleased when, early on in the process, members of the administration signed a letter that said they would give the program their full support,” Grass said. “And they have been very supportive. We express appreciation to the Dean of the College of Arts and Science and the Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, as well as the President, the Provost and the curricular committees.”

Penman noted that such support was critical to make the program a reality.

“As with all of our teacher preparation programs, we rely on the collaborative partnerships across the university and with area schools to help us make each program successful,” she said. “We look forward to building new relationships through our music education program.”