Music teacher training is divided into two areas: one is the training of the general teacher, and the other is the training of the specialist teacher. From the first to the third grade of the primary compulsory school the music lessons are held by general teachers. They should finish the university education at the faculty for teachers which lasts five years. From the fourth grade until the end of the secondary school, music lessons are led by the specialised teacher who finished the university education at the Academy of Music or Art Academy which is five years long.

In Croatia there are eight faculties regarding the education of general teacher. One of the subjects which are studied at the teachers’ college is music. Although there is not an identical curriculum for teacher education on the faculties related to the field of music, courses can be divided into professional-theoretical, performing and didactical. On the theoretical musical subjects the students get familiar with the notation, learn music theory concepts, musical elements and features from different music-stylistic periods, with emphasis on defining and establishing the musical dictionaries, listen to and analyze musical works. Performing courses in the form of practicum are oriented on training students for vocal, instrumental and vocal-instrumental reproduction of simple songs that can be used in teaching music. Didactic courses  influence on professional and didactical students’ competences, which leads to theirs independent practical work in school. It includes the preparation of the lesson, using appropriate work methods, forms and strategies in order to realize the lesson with different musical contents according to the pupils from grade one to grade three.

Music at the university level is carried out in four centres in Croatia: Zagreb, Split, Osijek and Pula. The Music Academy in Zagreb enables to study music in nine departments which have within them more sections: composition; music theory; musicology and musicology two-subject study; conducting (conducting, harp and percussion); singing; instrumental studies (piano, harpsichord and organ); strings and guitar; wind instruments; music pedagogy and music pedagogy two-subject study. From the 2013, in relation to the Bologna system, at the Music Academy in Zagreb the study is conceived as an integrated undergraduate and graduate study which lasts five years. After the completion of the study of Music Pedagogy, the academic degree which is achieved is Master of Music Pedagogy. Upon the completion of the integrated university study of Music Pedagogy, the master of music is qualified to work as a teacher of music in primary compulsory school, as a teacher of music in secondary school, as a teacher of musical-theoretical subjects in primary music school and as a teacher of musical courses at teacher college. He/she can be a choir/orchestra conducter of amateur choirs and orchestras and lead extracurricular activities. It is possible to act as newspaper, radio and television editor, organizer of the musical events.

The Department of Music from the Arts Academy of the University in Split consists of six sections: Section of Music Pedagogy, Section of Composition and Music Theory, Section of Piano, Section of String and Guitar, Section of Wind Instruments, Section of Singing. The study is conceived at the undergraduate and graduate level. Upon completion of the graduate study, the title of Master of Music is achieved, after a bachelor’s degree. Bachelors of Music Pedagogy with completed undergraduate study acquire the ability to work as an associate in music programs (animator in culture and amateur groups, associate in choir and instrumental ensembles). Also, they can be associates in extracurricular activities in primary compulsory and secondary schools and work in media. The Masters of Music Pedagogy may lead the musical courses in primary and secondary schools, as well as Solfeggio (Ear Training) in primary music schools and conduct various vocal and instrumental groups, choirs and orchestras at the amateur level. They are qualified as music arrangers and for editorial work in the music programs of various media.

The Department of Music Art of the Academy in Osijek, at the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, has three sections: Music pedagogy, Piano, Singing. It is conceived as undergraduate study in the duration of four years and graduate study which lasts one year. Bachelors of Music Pedagogy acquire the ability to work as an associate in music programs, work in media. The Masters of Music Pedagogy may lead the music teaching in primary compulsory and secondary schools, as well as Solfeggio in primary music schools and conduct various vocal and instrumental groups.

The Music Academy in Pula at the Juraj Dobrila University in Pula has four departments: Music Pedagogy, Classical Accordion, Solo singing and Piano. Undergraduate study of Music Pedagogy lasts four years. Four-year undergraduate students earn the title of Bachelor of music pedagogy. Bachelor acquires basic musical and pedagogical knowledge and skills, and his competence is related primarily to educational work with children and youth where general music education is needed. Students are involved in the work of cultural societies as musical entertainers or lead different music and folklore groups. They work as a newspaper, radio and television editors, organizers of musical performances, etc. Graduate study of Music Pedagogy lasts one year. The professional title is Master of Music Pedagogy. The one-year graduate program leads to teaching and scientific qualifications. The experts of this profile are trained for music-pedagogical work in primary compulsory and secondary schools, for teaching Solfeggio (Ear Training) at primary music schools and in the study programs of teaching college.

We can conclude that the studies of Music Pedagogy in Croatia educate specialised teachers who work primarily in schools, then in cultural institutions, media (newspapers, radio, television), publishing and production companies, and at workplaces such as leaders of choirs, orchestras and other musical sections.

Their competencies are related to: understanding, evaluation and implementation of theoretical and practical principles of musical pedagogy and contemporary didactic models for teaching, use of information and communication technology, understanding of texts and music, understanding of the formal and stylistic aspects of the music works, analyzing and evaluating capital works of different historical and contemporary musical styles as well as understanding of the role of musicians in the musical creation.

Upon the completion of Music Pedagogy study, the master of music pedagogy:

• is qualified to work in primary compulsory and secondary schools as teacher of music as well as in the primary music schools as a teacher of Solfeggio;
• can lead amateur choirs, orchestras and ensembles and promote other musical activities;
• can work in music publishing in the wider area of the music industry (computer notation, editorial), music production and distribution;
• can work in musical management;
• can work in the media, such as an editor, reporter or presenter;
• can act as an independent artist in music reproduction and creation;
• may enter the doctoral program and acquire the doctoral degree.