University of West Florida

The B.M.E. includes the professional educational minor. The minor is a state approved pathway (Professional Training Option – PTO) to the professional teaching certificate.  In addition to completing the required coursework, the student must pass three Florida Teaching Certification Exams (Professional, Subject Matter and General Knowledge) to be eligible for a Florida temporary teaching certificate. Upon employment in a public school in Florida, the graduate will teach for one year while completing the district Professional Educator Competency program.  At that point, the teacher will be eligible for the full five year Florida professional certificate.

Contact the Department of Music for details about scholarships offered through the department.

Program Requirements

In addition to the University’s general requirements, students seeking the B.M.E. 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 Department of Music in the spring 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 Department of Music one semester prior to their anticipated date of enrollment in order to insure a smooth transition into the music curriculum at UWF. Transcripts will be evaluated by the Program Director prior to enrollment into the program.

In addition to the course requirements, the Department 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 department (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 Music Department Office each semester.
• All students must earn a minimum grade of “C-” in all major courses or the course(s) 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 student must take a secondary applied lesson for a total of 4 sh or pass a secondary instrument proficiency exam.
• 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 Structure and Style, Instrumentation, or Counterpoint. 

General Studies

In addition to the general studies 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 Studies curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the "Graduation and General Degree Requirements" section of this catalog.

General Studies Curriculum:

Music majors should take MUL 2110 Music in Western Civilization to satisfy the humanities/fine arts component of General Studies.

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; the B.M.E. requires 4 sh. The remaining 2-4 sh are subtracted from Upper Division Requirements.