ST. GEORGE- Dixie State College of Utah Friday received Utah State Board of Regents approval to offer a new four-year degree program in music education at its meeting held at the University of Utah. The new music education baccalaureate degree approval continues the College’s progression toward fulfilling its mission to offer core, foundational and high demand educational opportunities consistent with four-year colleges.
Class work for the new music education degree, DSC’s 16th four-year degree overall, will begin this January for the Spring 2011 semester. The program will provide a core of music courses giving students a fundamental background in theory, ear training, history, conducting, private applied lessons, piano proficiency and large ensembles.
“The faculty and students in the DSC Music Department are elated with the Commissioner's recommendation and the Board of Regents approval vote,” said DSC Music Department Chair Glenn Webb. “We are prepared to offer a high quality educational experience and prepare students for professional careers in music.”
The program is designed to prepare students in foundational areas such as theory, history, performance, keyboard and pedagogy to facilitate establishing careers in the education workforce or to continue their studies at the graduate level. The degree program will also allow students to pursue additional course work to qualify for a secondary education license.
Webb noted that the music education degree is aimed at matching and enhancing the rich music heritage of Utah and more specifically for Washington and Kane Counties by providing highly qualified music educators. He added that program administrators will begin the process of accreditation through the National Association of Schools of Music (NSAM).
“There is a rich history of music and the arts here in Washington County and at Dixie State,” said. Webb. “We anticipate having our graduates continue that tradition here in our area schools for years to come.”
In 2000, Dixie State College was granted license to begin offering bachelor’s degrees in high demand areas, which initially included business administration and computer & information technology.
Several other degrees have since followed, including elementary education (2002), nursing (2004), English (2006), biology (2006), dental hygiene (2007), accounting (2007), aviation management (2007), communication (2007), integrated studies (2008), music (2009), psychology (2010), clinical laboratory science (2010) and theatre (2010).
In addition, DSC was given the go-ahead by the Regents to offer a secondary education teaching (SET) licensure program in three emphases; biology, English education and integrated science, along with additional emphases in accounting, finance and visual technology in Dixie’s business administration program.
In 2005, the Board of Regents approved a change in mission for Dixie State College, allowing the college to begin offering bachelor’s degrees in “core” or “foundational” areas consistent with four-year colleges. Dixie State College also continues to function as a comprehensive community college as well, offering associate degree and certificate programs to its students.
The overall strategic goal for Dixie State College is to offer core and high demand educational opportunities at both the associate and baccalaureate levels that are consistent with and responsive to the needs of the community. Future programs for Dixie State College will likely center in three primary strategic clusters, which include business & technology, health care & public safety, and education.