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 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

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.

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.

*

 1 sh for 4 semesters.

**

 Only 2 sh required by statewide common prerequisites.

Major 

*

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:

***

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

#

May be substituted for 2 sh of MUN 4714 UWF Jazz Ensemble.

+

Courses included in the major GPA.