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Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
A Concentration In
Comprehensive
An emphasis within the B.S. in Music Education — prepare to teach both choral and instrumental music, and lead any music classroom.
Both Podiums
Choral AND instrumental conducting
All Three Methods
Choral, instrumental, and general music
Senior Recital
The only Music Ed emphasis that requires a senior recital
Some music teachers want the flexibility to lead any music classroom a school offers — choir, band, orchestra, general music — instead of specializing in one. The Comprehensive emphasis is built for them. It’s the most demanding path in Music Education, adding a full second conducting sequence, a full second methods course, and a senior recital on top of the shared music and secondary-education core.
On top of the shared Music Education major, you’ll add twenty-two credits: both Instrumental Conducting and Choral Conducting; all three methods courses — Choral, Instrumental, and General Music Education Methods; Developmental Band; Chorale each semester; a choice of ensemble electives; and a senior recital. You’ll graduate seven credits heavier than the single-emphasis tracks (130 vs 123) and certified across the full range of K–12 music teaching.
Conduct Both Choirs and Ensembles
Study both choral and instrumental conducting for confidence on either podium.
Teach Every Music Setting
Complete choral, instrumental, and general music methods — every music teaching context K–12 schools need.
Play and Sing at a High Level
Chorale each term, ensemble electives, and applied lessons keep your musicianship sharp across genres.
Perform a Senior Recital
The Comprehensive emphasis is the only Music Education track that requires a full senior recital — proof of your musicianship at graduation.
Prepare for the Full Range of Classrooms
Graduate ready to be the music teacher a small school hires to teach everything, or a large school taps for any position.
Teaching across the full range of music — voice, instruments, general music, K through 12 — asks a lot of a teacher. A Biblical Worldview keeps the work grounded when it stretches you.
Every Student, Every Setting
A comprehensive music teacher meets students in every context — young choirs, developing bands, first-year general music, advanced ensembles. Seeing each student as an image-bearer keeps the work about people, not just repertoire.
Grounds a teaching posture that meets every student where they are.
Breadth Held With Depth
Teaching everything can tempt a teacher toward shallow. A Biblical Worldview treats musicianship as a real craft worth mastering — even across multiple domains — so breadth doesn't cost quality.
Motivates the deeper work of staying skilled across choral and instrumental worlds.
Serving the School and the Community
Many music teachers become the person a school leans on for all its music. That role, framed as service, becomes meaningful rather than exhausting.
Frames the versatility of Comprehensive as ministry to a whole school community.
Choral Conducting
A this discipline course at Arizona Christian University.
MED 411Choral Music Education Methods and Literature
A this discipline course at Arizona Christian University.
MTC 331Choral Arranging and Conducting
A this discipline course at Arizona Christian University.
MED 315Instrumental Conducting
A this discipline course at Arizona Christian University.
MED 412Instrumental Music Education Methods and Literature
A this discipline course at Arizona Christian University.
MED 323B: Instrumental Methods – Brass
A music education course at Arizona Christian University.
MED 323S: Instrumental Methods – Strings
A music education course at Arizona Christian University.
MED 323W: Instrumental Methods – Woodwinds
A music education course at Arizona Christian University.
MED 323X: Instrumental Methods – Percussion
A music education course at Arizona Christian University.
MEL 100Large Instrumental Ensemble
A this discipline course at Arizona Christian University.
MES 100Small Instrumental Ensemble
A this discipline course at Arizona Christian University.
Comprehensive is the most versatile Music Education track — you're certified to teach across the full range of K–12 music.
Whole-School Music Teacher (Small Schools)
Small schools often need one music teacher to cover everything — Comprehensive prepares you for exactly that role.
K–12 Music Director
Lead music across an entire district or private school, coordinating choral, instrumental, and general music.
Choral or Instrumental Director (Large Schools)
In larger schools, the Comprehensive credential lets you teach in whichever position opens first.
Christian School Music Program Leader
Christian schools often prize a music teacher who can direct choir, worship band, and general music — this track fits.
Graduate Study in Music Education, Conducting, or Performance
The strongest platform for graduate study in music education or specialized conducting.
The Comprehensive emphasis is the broadest — and most demanding — Music Education path. It fits students who want the flexibility to teach any music classroom.
Maximum Flexibility
One credential that covers choral, instrumental, and general music — the versatility small schools especially value.
The Only Track With a Senior Recital
A full senior recital certifies your musicianship at graduation.
Both Conducting Sequences
Choral AND instrumental conducting — few undergraduate programs give you both.
All Three Methods Courses
Choral, instrumental, and general music methods together prepare you for any K–12 music setting.
Already drawn to the Music Education degree? Choosing Comprehensive commits you to the broadest and most demanding path — worth a real conversation with an advisor.
Apply & Audition
Apply to ACU and audition on your primary instrument or voice.
Start Your ApplicationChoose Comprehensive as Your Emphasis
Meet with a music-education advisor to talk through the extra load (130 vs 123 credits) and plan a schedule that fits.
Build Toward Both Podiums
Complete Music Theory II before both conducting sequences and all three methods courses (all carry a MUS 102 prerequisite).
Plan Your Senior Recital Early
The senior recital (ML_ 411) requires sustained applied-lesson work in your primary instrument — start early and stay consistent.
The Comprehensive emphasis prepares you to lead any music classroom a K–12 school offers — choir, band, orchestra, or general music. Apply or reach out today.
