Faculty recommendations for student teaching are not automatic. They must be earned by the student through demonstrated potential in the field, a 3.0 GPA, passing an approved Basic Skill Assessment, and passing Praxis exam II. Students not recommended for student teaching may be permitted to graduate after successful completion of additional coursework, but will not be recommended for Pennsylvania State Music Teacher Certification.

Upon successful completion of the four-year program of study, the five-year double major program of study, or the five-year program with Jazz Component, and upon achieving passing scores on the Praxis Series Assessments (Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers), students qualify for Pennsylvania state certification for public school music teachers, K-12.