Music Education
| Degree: | Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) |
| Major: | Music Education |
| Department: | Dr. Grier Williams School of Music Building 82, Room 211 850-474-2147 http://uwf.edu/music |
| College: | Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities |
| CIP Code: | 13.1312 |
| Semester Hours Required For Degree: 126 | |
The Bachelor of Music Education (BME) is designed for students seeking careers in the field of music education and prepares graduates to teach music in public and private schools. 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.
The Bachelor of Music Education degree is an FLDOE approved program that leads directly to certification in Music K-12.
Permission to major in music is required through audition and application to the Williams School of Music. In addition to successful completion of all coursework, students must pass the required Florida Teaching Certification Exams including General Knowledge, Professional Education and the Music Subject Area.
Contact the Williams School of Music for details about available scholarships at music@uwf.edu.
Program Requirements
In addition to the University’s general requirements, students seeking the BME 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 and desired specialization. Scholarship auditions are generally scheduled on specific days in December, February, and May during each academic year. Contact the Williams School of Music for details and to schedule an audition at music@uwf.edu.
Transfer students are advised to contact the Williams School of Music at least 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. A skills-based theory diagnostic exam will be administered at the time of audition. Transfer students are encouraged to request guidelines in advance to better prepare for this exam. Failure to pass this exam may result in remedial course requirements. Transfer students must have passed the FLDOE General Knowledge Exam prior to admittance into the program.
In addition to the course requirements, the Williams School of Music requires the following of its majors:
- Within the first year, students will be required to select at least one area of specialization based on career goals. Specialization Tracks include:
- BME Choral Music
- BME General Music
- BME Instrumental - Band
- BME Instrumental - Piano
- BME Instrumental - Strings
- All students must be enrolled in applied lessons in every semester (excluding Summer) until graduation. Exception: when enrolled in a teaching internship.
- Every student enrolled in applied lessons must participate each semester in a major ensemble sponsored by the Williams School of Music (Symphonic Band, UWF Singers, or Runge Strings). Exceptions will be made only when students are completing a teaching internship.
- All students must complete a total of 135 observation hours in the public schools during the time of study.
- All majors must attend the weekly Student Recital Hour and perform as recommended by the applied professor. Students 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 weekly BME Studio (teaching lab) and prepare for instructional experiences. BME Studio is a component of upper-level methods classes (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.
- In addition to successful completion of coursework, the student must pass the three Florida Teaching Certification Exams (FTCE - General Knowledge, Music Subject Matter, and Professional Area) to be eligible for a FLDOE letter of eligibility for certification in Florida. The General Knowledge exam must be completed prior to advancement to upper-level coursework. The Subject Matter and Professional Area exams must be completed before student teaching.
- All Students must earn a minimum Major GPA of 3.0 in order to remain in the program and/or graduate.
- 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 is not required to take the UWF Piano Proficiency Examination.
- 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 College-Level Communication and Computation, 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 State 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.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041 ) |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041) |
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, SUS regulation BOG 8.006 and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Mathematical Thinking in Context | ||
| MGF 1130 | Mathematical Thinking | 3 |
| MGF 1131 | Mathematics in Context | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, 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 State University Requirements section of this catalog.
Secondary Piano Proficiency is satisfied by examination; the B.M.E. requires 4 semester hours (sh). The remaining 2-4 sh are subtracted from Upper Division Requirements.
| MUT 1111 | Freshman Theory | 3 |
| MUT 1112 | Freshman Theory II | 3 |
| MUT 1271L | Freshman Theory Lab | 1 |
| MUT 1272L | Freshman Theory II Lab | 1 |
| MUT 2116 | Sophomore Theory | 3 |
| MUT 2117 | Sophomore Theory II | 3 |
| MUT 2276L | Sophomore Theory I Lab | 1 |
| MUT 2277L | Sophomore Theory II Lab | 1 |
| MUN XXXX | Ensemble * | 4 |
| MVX 131X | Freshman Applied Music ** | 2-4 |
| MVX 232X | Sophomore Applied Music ** | 2-4 |
| A passing grade of the FLDOE General Knowledge Exam is required prior to advancement. | ||
| Total Hours | 24-28 | |
- *
1 sh for 4 semesters.
- **
Only 2 sh required by statewide common prerequisites.
Major
| Music Performance Core: | ||
| MUH 2513 | Music in World Cultures + | 2 |
| MUH 3211 | History of Western Music I: End of Ancient World Through 17th Century + | 3 |
| MUH 3212 | History of Western Music II: 18th through 20th Centuries + | 3 |
| MUG 3104 | Conducting 1 + | 2 |
| MUG 3108 | Conducting 2 + | 2 |
| Choose one of the following (appropriate to primary area of interest): + | 2 | |
| Techniques of Counterpoint | ||
or MUT 3611 | Musical Structure and Style | |
or MUT 4311 | Instrumentation | |
| Music Teaching Core: | ||
| MUE 2040 | Introduction to Music Teaching + | 2 |
| MUS 2360 | Music Technology + | 2 |
| MUE 3413 | Chamber Music Coaching + | 1 |
| Choose two of the following: | 4 | |
| Percussion Methods and Materials + | ||
| Woodwind Instrument Methods and Materials + | ||
| String Methods and Materials + | ||
| Brass Instrument Methods and Materials + | ||
| MVV 4640 | Vocal Pedagogy + | 2 |
| MUE 3311 | Methods for the Elementary School Music Teacher + | 2 |
| MUE 4411 | Special Methods/Choral Techniques + | 3 |
| MUE 4493 | Special Methods/Instrumental Techniques + | 3 |
| MUN xxxx Ensemble ** + | 3 | |
| MVx 3xxx Junior Applied Music * + | 4 | |
| MVx 4xxx Senior Applied Music + | 2 | |
| MVx 4971 Senior Recital + | 1 | |
| Choose one of the following (appropriate to primary instrument): + | ||
| MUL 3551 | Band and Wind Literature | 2 |
| or MUL 3643 | Choral Literature | |
| or MUL 3503 | Symphonic and String Literature | |
| A passing grade of the FLDOE Subject Area and Professional Exams are required prior to MUE 4940 Music Education Internship (student teaching). | ||
| MUE 4940 | Music Education Internship + | 9 |
| Education Core: | ||
| EDG 4323 | Methods of K-12 Literacy Instruction + | 3 |
| TSL 4080 | ESOL Principles and Practices + | 3 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- *
1 sh for 4 semesters.
- **
Only 2 sh required by statewide common prerequisites.
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
Specialization Tracks
Students will choose one of the following tracks for specialization:
| Choral Track: | ||
| MUS 2241 | Diction I: English and Italian Lyric Diction + | 1 |
| MUS 3253 | Diction II: French and German Lyric Diction + | 1 |
| General Music: | ||
| MUE 3355 | Instrumental General Music + | 2 |
| Instrumental Track - Band: | ||
| Choose one of the following Methods and Materials courses not completed as part of the major: | 2 | |
| Percussion Methods and Materials | ||
or MUE 4451 | Woodwind Instrument Methods and Materials | |
or MUE 4343 | String Methods and Materials | |
or MUE 4465 | Brass Instrument Methods and Materials | |
| MUN 3100 | UWF Argo Athletic Band *** | 0 |
| Instrumental Track - Piano: | ||
| MVK 4641 | Piano Pedagogy + | 2 |
| Instrumental Track - Strings: | ||
| MUE 4447 | Advanced String Pedagogy + | 2 |
| Total Hours for Each Specialization = 2 sh. At least 1 completed specialization is required. | ||
- ***
Instrumental Track - Band students are required to take 2 fall semesters of MUN 3100 UWF Argo Athletic Band.
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.