Music Education, B.M.E.

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 and have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 in all previously attempted college work. 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 in 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 Instrumental Music (Band/Orchestra)
• All students must be enrolled in applied lessons in every semester (excluding Summer) until graduation. Exception: when enrolled in the capstone student 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, Concert Band, UWF Singers, or Runge Strings). Exceptions will be made only when students are completing the capstone student teaching internship.
• All students must complete a total of 135 observation hours in the public schools during their 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 monthly BME meeting and prepare for instructional experiences. BME meetings are 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 in the first semester of full-time study. The Subject Matter and Professional Area exams must be completed prior to 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.
• All BME students must pass the Comprehensive Musicianship Exam in the semester prior to the capstone student teaching internship.

In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, 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 and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.

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 Mathematics Pathways catalog page. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.

Common Prerequisites

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

Secondary Piano Proficiency is satisfied by examination; the B.M.E. requires 4 semester hours (sh).

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 1 sh for 4 semesters. UWF students will complete this requirement with 4 hours of MUN 3313 UWF Singers, MUN 3133 The University of West Florida Symphonic Band, or MUN 3123 Concert Band.

Major

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1 sh for 4 semesters.

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Courses included in the major GPA.

Specialization Tracks

Students will choose one of the following tracks:

Choral Track

Instrumental Track

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Choral Track - Students must take MUN 3313 for 7 semesters.

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Instrumental Track - Band students are required to take 2 fall semesters of MUN 3100 UWF Argo Athletic Band.

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Instrumental Track - Students must take MUN 3133 or MUN 3123 Concert Band for 7 semesters.

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Courses included in the major GPA.