The B.M. in Music is designed to prepare students for careers in the field of music. Permission to major or minor in music is granted by the Williams School of Music and an audition is required.

The University of West Florida is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and has been accredited by NASM since 1971.

Program Requirements

In addition to the University’s general requirements, students seeking the B.M. in Music Performance must meet the requirements listed below.

To be admitted into the program, students must audition for the faculty at least one semester prior to enrollment into the program. Entering freshmen are advised to contact the Williams School of Music in the fall semester of their senior year in high school in order to secure information regarding scholarship auditions and general information about the degree plan of their choice. Scholarship auditions are generally scheduled in February and April of each academic year.

Transfer students are advised to contact the Williams School of Music one semester prior to their anticipated date of enrollment in order to ensure a smooth transition into the music curriculum at UWF. Transcripts will be evaluated by the Director prior to enrollment into the program. Transfer students must take diagnostic exams in Theory, Aural Skills and Piano, the results of which will help for placement in the respective areas.

In addition to the course requirements, the Williams School of Music requires the following of its majors:

• All students must be enrolled in applied lessons in every semester (excluding Summer) until graduation.
• Every student enrolled in applied lessons must participate each semester in a major ensemble sponsored by the Williams School of Music (Symphonic Band, Chorus, Jazz Band or Orchestra). Exceptions will be made only if students are completing a teaching internship.
• All majors must attend the weekly Student Recital Hour and perform as recommended by their applied professor. Majors are required to perform at least once during the semester. Student Recital Hour is a component of applied lessons (not a separate class). 
• All majors must attend a minimum number of concerts or recitals each semester in residence; the minimum number is determined by the number of concerts or recitals presented during the semester. The concerts or recitals may include faculty recitals, student recitals, symphony concerts, music hall artists series concerts, and any other program of "classical" nature approved by the faculty.
• All students using the practice facilities must be on an access list generated by the Williams School of Music Office each semester.
• All students must earn a minimum grade of "C-" in all major courses or the course in question will need to be retaken.
• All students must pass the UWF Piano Proficiency Examination in the same semester that they complete Sophomore Theory II. If piano is the principal instrument, the UWF Piano Proficiency is not required.
• All students must pass MUT 2117 Sophomore Theory II or the UWF Music Theory Placement Examination, and the UWF Piano Proficiency prior to enrolling in upper-division music theory courses--Structure and Style, Instrumentation, or Counterpoint.

General Education

In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, and foreign language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the "University Requirements" section of this catalog.

General Education Curriculum:

Multicultural Requirement

Civic Literacy Requirement

The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.

Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.

There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan. 

Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website.

*BOG 8.006; s.1007.25(4,a-b)

Common Prerequisites

State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.

Secondary Piano Proficiency is satisfied by examination; a total of 6 sh is required. The remaining 2-4 sh are subtracted from Upper Division Requirements.

*

 Only 2 sh required by statewide common prerequisites.

Major

Music Performance prepares students for further studies at the graduate level in preparation for a career in concert performance.

¹

1 sh for 4 semesters

²

1 sh for 2 semesters

³

3 sh for 2 semesters

⁴

 Vocal majors take 8 upper division electives

+

Courses included in the major GPA

Bachelor of Arts in Music and an Outside Field

The B.A. in Music and an Outside Field is designed for students who want to major in music while receiving a broad, liberal arts education. B.A. students will select an outside field (27 credits), which will allow them to either earn a second bachelor's degree or prepare for placement exams for graduate school (Ex. medical and law school). This curriculum will give students broad experience in liberal arts and sciences and opportunities to develop intellectual skills in analysis and evaluation, as well as competence in written and oral communication while mastering the creativity and discipline required to complete a music degree. The B.A. in Music and an Outside Field prepares students for either graduate school or careers in various music fields with orchestral, chamber music, opera and choral organizations as well as areas such as arts administration and arts education. Students will also have the opportunity to pursue careers in a variety of fields that may be interdisciplinary in nature. Permission to major or minor in music is granted by the Williams School of Music and an audition is required.

Program Requirements

In addition to the University’s general requirements, students seeking the B.A. in Music and an Outside Field must meet the requirements listed below.

To be admitted into the program, students must audition for the faculty at least one semester prior to enrollment into the program. Entering freshmen are advised to contact the Williams School of Music in the fall semester of their senior year in high school in order to secure information regarding scholarship auditions and general information about the degree plan of their choice. Scholarship auditions are generally scheduled in February and April of each academic year.

Transfer students are advised to contact the Williams School of Music one semester prior to their anticipated date of enrollment in order to ensure a smooth transition into the music curriculum at UWF. Transcripts will be evaluated by the Director prior to enrollment into the program. Transfer students must take diagnostic exams in Theory, Aural Skills and Piano, the results of which will help for placement in the respective areas.

In addition to the course requirements, the Williams School of Music requires the following of its majors:

• Every student enrolled in applied lessons must participate each semester in a major ensemble sponsored by the Williams School of Music (Symphonic Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, or Orchestra). Exceptions will be made only if students are completing a teaching internship.
• All majors must attend the weekly Student Recital Hour and perform as recommended by their applied professor. Majors are required to perform at least once during the semester. Student Recital Hour is a component of applied lessons (not a separate class).
• All majors must attend a minimum number of concerts or recitals each semester in residence; the minimum number is determined by the number of concerts or recitals presented during the semester. The concerts or recitals may include faculty recitals, student recitals, symphony concerts, music hall artists series concerts, and any other program of "classical" nature approved by the faculty.
• All students using the practice facilities must be on an access list generated by the Williams School of Music Office each semester.
• All students must earn a minimum grade of "C-" in all major courses or the course in question will need to be retaken.
• All students must pass MUT 2117 Sophomore Theory II or the UWF Music Theory Placement Examination, and the UWF Piano Proficiency prior to enrolling in upper-division music theory courses--Structure and Style, Instrumentation, or Counterpoint.

*No more than 24% of the program requirements for this degree may be in traditional business subjects. 

General Education

In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, and foreign language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the "University Requirements" section of this catalog.

General Education Curriculum:

Multicultural Requirement

Civic Literacy Requirement

The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.

Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.

There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan. 

Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website.

*BOG 8.006; s.1007.25(4,a-b)

Common Prerequisites

State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.

Major Courses

+

 Courses included in the major GPA

*

 Keyboard majors should take MUE 3413

Outside Field Credits

**

18 credits of 27 outside field courses must be 3000 or 4000 level. 

Music Upper Division Electives

Music Minor

To be admitted into the program, students must audition for the faculty prior to enrollment into the program. Entering freshmen are advised to contact the Williams School of Music in the fall semester of their senior year in high school in order to secure information regarding scholarship auditions and general information about the degree plan of their choice. Scholarship auditions are generally scheduled in February and April of each academic year.

Transfer students are advised to contact the Williams School of Music one semester prior to their anticipated date of enrollment in order to ensure a smooth transition into the music curriculum at UWF. Transcripts will be evaluated by the Program Director prior to enrollment into the program.  Transfer students must take diagnostic exams in Theory, Aural Skills and Piano, the results of which will help for placement in the respective areas.

Students wishing to obtain a Minor in Music should meet with the Program Director before submitting the minor change request. 12 sh of lower-division courses and 12 sh of upper-division courses outlined below must be completed. At least 9 sh of the upper-division coursework must be completed at UWF. Music majors may not earn this minor.

¹

1 sh each taken for 4 semesters

²

2 sh each taken for 2 semesters

³

May include applied lessons, ensembles, or other courses offered at the 3000/4000 level.