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Do you love to sing? Would you like to earn a vocal degree that trains you to teach students while also providing the skills you need to be a performer or conductor? The University of Central Missouri’s Vocal Bachelor of Music Education program offers a well-rounded curriculum that prepares you to work in classrooms, on stage and in recording studios.

A vocal degree for the future

Learn how to be an engaging and effective vocal teacher who will have a lasting impact on music students. This versatile singing degree from UCM gives you the tools you’ll need to handle the changing conditions and trends affecting schools.

You’ll be paired with a UCM faculty mentor to tailor this singing degree program in a way that addresses your personal career goals. UCM’s small classes and many opportunities to learn from and perform for professional musicians and educators — including guest artists and clinicians from across the country — give you access to exciting real-world settings.

What you will study

Most classes in UCM’s Bachelor of Music Education - Vocal degree program are small, ensuring that you get individualized attention for personal growth. You’ll gain competency as a vocal teacher while studying foundational topics such as how the voice works and addressing personalized student needs. You’ll also have many opportunities to hone your performance skills by joining UCM’s choirs, ensembles and musical theatre productions.

Some of the classes you may take include:

Choral Techniques/Choral Conducting: In these two courses, you’ll learn how to be a choir teacher. Study the history, philosophy and common practices of choral music education as you hone your skills to teach your own students and become a conductor-teacher.

Vocal Lessons: Study one-on-one with a classically trained professional singer. You’ll improve your solo voice, explore music from all styles and periods and learn common lyrical languages such as English, Italian, French and German. Most UCM students earning this singing degree offer a full recital upon completing their program.

Field Experience: Observe and work with the region’s top educators in your specialty area — then lead your own lessons as a student teacher in your final semester.

What can you do with a Vocal degree from UCM?

Each year, the teaching profession lists many more jobs than graduates are able to fill, so your prospects for securing a teaching position are strong. Superintendents and principals from regional schools view UCM Vocal BME graduates as excellent candidates because of our quality programming and strong historical performance.

Many of our alumni teach K–12 music in Greater Kansas City and St. Louis school districts, as well as throughout the United States. With your singing degree, you could also continue your music studies at UCM or another music university.

A vocal degree from UCM also prepares you to work as a professional musician beyond the classroom. Your coursework and training will connect you to conductors, composers, vocal pedagogues and musicians from around the globe who can guide you to many opportunities for careers in music.

UCM vocal degree graduates

Use the interactive tool below to explore your career options and salary potential when you graduate with a Vocal Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Central Missouri.