Nov 16, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Music Education, Specialization in Classroom/General Music, B.M.

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The music education major is designed to prepare students to become elementary and secondary school music teachers. The faculty of the Department of Music Education has identified three primary learning outcomes: effective teaching, musicianship, and critical thinking.

Music Education Learning Outcomes

Teaching Effectiveness:
- Students will integrate effective teaching practices in K-12 areas of music through construction and implementation of appropriate music lesson plans and valid assessment of student musical learning.
Musicianship:
- Students will perform a varied repertoire of music on their primary instruments in public recitals and ensemble performances.
- Students will demonstrate effective aural skills, keyboard skills, and proficiency on secondary instruments necessary for effective modeling and instruction.
Critical Thinking Skills:
- Students will critically observe and analyze music education field experiences.
- Students will reflect critically upon and evaluate their own teaching in varied music learning contexts.

Admission as a Music Education Major

While all music education majors should begin the program of study as entering freshmen (pre-music education), formal admission does not occur until after enrollment in MUED 2400 , which is generally taken in the sophomore year. Enrollment in MUED 2400 is based on the student’s academic standing and performance achievement. Specifically, these include:

GPA of 2.5;
GPA of 3.00 for all courses with a MUED prefix;
GPA of 2.5 in MUCT 1410 - Aural Skills I and MUCT 1420 - Aural Skills II ;
GPA of 2.5 for all Music Core courses taken prior to MUED 2400 ;
Satisfactory progress in applied study (through regularly scheduled applied juries, which determine performance achievement).

Formal Admission as a Music Education Major

An admission interview to assess the academic progress and readiness of the student to enter the music education program occurs through the Music Education Sophomore Review process completed during MUED 2400 . The music education faculty will review a portfolio submitted by each student, which documents evidence of skill development in the areas of teaching effectiveness, musicianship, critical thinking, and professional dispositions.

Specialization in Music Education

All bachelor of music degree specializations in music education prepare students for licensure to teach music in grades pre-kindergarten through 12.

Classroom/General Music - For those who wish to teach elementary and secondary school general music

To graduate in four years, a student must take approximately 34 hours of required coursework each year. Music education majors usually take between 16 and 18 credit hours per semester. The total number of hours for each specialization varies from a minimum of 122 semester hours depending on the specialization area.

Selecting a Degree Specialization

Students are required to select a degree specialization (i.e., choral, instrumental, or classroom/general) as entering freshmen. Selection is determined in consultation with an advisor and is based upon the student’s teaching interests and the proficiency or level of achievement in a specific area of instrumental or vocal performance as determined by the entrance audition.

Students who decide to change from one specialization to another must first consult with the department chair. In addition, they may be required to meet additional professional and performance requirements. Any student changing a specialization must complete at least 10 credit hours in one performance area.

To remain in a degree specialization, students must exhibit teaching competency as judged by the music education faculty.

Degree Requirements

All music education degree candidates are subject to the general requirements listed under Academic Policies, as well as general requirements listed under bachelor of music degree, none of which is superseded by individual degree requirements.

BG Perspective (BGP) Requirements

Must complete at least 1 course in each of the following:

English Composition and Oral Communication
_____________________________ ________

Quantitative Literacy
_____________________________ ________

Must Complete at least 2 courses in each of the following:

Humanities and the Arts
_____________________________ ________
_____________________________ ________

Natural Sciences - at least one Lab Science required
_____________________________ ________
_____________________________ ________

Social and Behavioral Sciences
_____________________________ ________
_____________________________ ________

Complete total required BGP credit hours by selecting courses from any of the above categories:

_____________________________   ________
_____________________________   ________
_____________________________   ________
_____________________________   ________

University Requirements

Designated courses in Humanities and the Arts and the Social and Behavioral Sciences domains may be used to fulfill both the BGP requirement and one of the following university requirements:

Cultural Diversity in the US ____________
International Perspective ____________

Composition Requirement:
WRIT 1120

Total BGP Credits: Must be at least 36

Required Music Core Courses

(28-29 Hours)

Professional Option Requirements

(24-27 Hours)

Techniques Classes:

Professional Education Requirements

(21 Hours)

Required General Studies Courses

(7 Hours)

Performance Studies

(22 Hours)

Major Ensembles Contact Hours: 7
Small Ensemble Contact Hours: 1
MUSP 3050 - Conducting I
MUSP 3060 - Conducting II
Major Performance Area (Applied Study) Contact Hours: 10

Other

(Students must successfully complete 6 semesters of MUS 99 )

MUS 99 - Recital Attendance

Note:

*GSW 1110, GSW 1120, PSYC 1010 , COMM 1020 , and MUCT 2610 may count for BGP credit

*EDFI 2980 may also count for Cultural Diversity

Some students may be required to enroll in MUCT 1130 or MUCT 1150 pending results of Freshman Placement Examination.
See below for MUED degree requirements.

Degree Requirements

The degree requires a minimum of 122 hours. It may require longer than 8 semesters of study to complete. You can increase the chances of completing the degree in 4 years by: 1. Entering the program with theory placement in MUCT 1510 ; 2. Meeting regularly with your academic advisor; 3. Meeting all course prerequisites as indicated in the catalog; 4. Passing all of your classes; and 5. Taking at least 16-17 hours of required courses each semester

General Bulletin

All degree requirements are stated in the General Bulletin along with updated versions in the Online Catalog. Students are responsible for knowing these and should consult with the Department’s program advisor at least once each semester and when they are uncertain about specific aspects of their program.

Approved BG Perspective Courses

Only courses from the approved BG Perspective list may be used to fulfill specific BG Perspective requirements. The approved list appears in the Undergraduate Catalog or is available from the Department’s program advisor.

Communication

Each student must complete GSW 1120 and COMM 1020 , preferably during the freshman year. A student is considered to have demonstrated acceptable performance in English skills if s/he has received a grade of “C” or better in GSW 1120. GSW 1120 must be repeated until “C” or better is earned. A grade of “C” or better is also required in COMM 1020 . See catalog for approved math courses.

MUED Degree Requirements

Ensemble Requirements

All music majors are required to audition and enroll in a major ensemble each semester they are enrolled in applied lessons. Music education majors are required to participate in ensembles throughout their undergraduate program, except during the student teaching semester. Students must include a minimum of one semester in a small ensemble (courses numbered MUCT 4210E -MUCT 4250E and MUSP 3200E -MUSP 3260E and MUSP 3300E -MUSP 3410E ). Consult the department advisor for details.

Jazz Studio: Students enrolled in a jazz studio as the primary instrument of study must complete two semesters of secondary lessons in an approved traditional classical studio aligned with the area of degree specialization prior to enrollment in 3000 level methods courses.

Piano and Harp: Students enrolled with piano or harp as a primary instrument may be required to complete two semesters lessons in an approved traditional classical studio if they primary instrument is not aligned with the area of degree specialization. This must be completed prior to enrollment in 3000 level methods courses.

Frequency of Course Offerings

A number of required courses in music education (MUED) and music composition history (MUCT) are scheduled only once a year. Students are responsible for consulting the usual sources (General Bulletin, online catalog, program advisor, appropriate department chair, etc.) to learn about the scheduling of these courses. In addition, information is provided during freshmen orientation.

Admission to MUED 2400

While all music education majors should begin in the program of study as entering freshmen (pre-music education) formal admission does not occur until after enrollment in MUED 2400 , which is generally taken in the sophomore year. Enrollment in MUED 2400 is based on the student’s academic standing and performance achievement. 1. GPA of 2.5; 2. GPA of 3.00 for all courses with a MUED prefix; 3. GPA of 2.5 in MUCT 1410 - Aural Skills I and MUCT 1420 - Aural Skills II ; 4. GPA of 2.5 for all Music Core courses taken prior to MUED 2400 ; 5. Satisfactory progress in applied study (through regularly scheduled applied juries that determine performance achievement)

Formal Admission as a Music Education Major

An admission interview to assess the academic progress and readiness of the student to enter the music education program occurs at the end of MUED 2400 . The music education faculty will review a portfolio submitted by each student, documenting evidence of skill development in the areas of teaching effectiveness, musicianship, critical thinking, and professional dispositions. Students who do not meet the criteria for formal admittance into the music education program may apply for admission into other degree programs within the college (MUSP, MUCT, BMA) or the university, or they may pursue the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Admission to the 3000 Level Courses in Music Education

Enrollment in 3000 level Methods Courses is based on formal admission into the Music Education Program, the student’s academic standing, and performance achievement. Specifically, these include: 1. MUED 2400 ; 2. An overall GPA of 2.5; 3. A grade of “C” or better in each course with a MUED prefix; 4. Satisfactory progress in all MUCT Music Core courses taken prior to enrollment; 5. A “C” or better in MUED 1510 - Class Piano I (Proficiency I) ; 6. A “C” or better in MUSP 3050 - Conducting I ; 7. Students must have successfully completed the following techniques courses for each specialization with a “C” or better.

Instrumental (band): MUED 1310 , MUED 1410 , MUED 1450
Instrumental (strings): MUED 1800
Classroom and Choral: MUED 1710 , MUED 1720

Keyboard Proficiency Requirements

A special handbook outlining all keyboard requirements is available from the Group Piano Coordinator. Choral, classroom, and instrumental music education majors are required to pass Functional Proficiency I, II, and III. Proficiency I is a prerequisite to the 3000 level Methods Courses and all piano proficiencies must be completed prior to student teaching.

Student Teaching

Students preparing to student teach must apply for student teaching at least two semesters in advance. They must register with the Coordinator of Student Teaching in the College of Musical Arts and the Office of Student Teaching in the College of Education and Human Development (Room 455). Students may not take an academic course, present recitals, participate in ensembles, or take private lessons during student teaching. Prerequisite music courses for student teaching include successful completion (“C” or better) in MUED 2400 , the 3000 level Methods Courses in music, and MUSP 3060 , an “S” in the field component of the 3000 Level Methods Courses, and successful completion of all required Functional Proficiency examinations. Instrumental majors should complete all instrument classes, MUED 1300 , MUED 1400 , etc. prior to student teaching. Other prerequisites include a GPA of 2.5, GSW 1120, COMM 1020 , PSYC 1010 , and EDFI 3020 .

Sophomore Performance Review

At the end of the fourth semester of applied lessons, students are evaluated during the jury exam for advancement to upper division applied study (4000 level). If a student does not pass this Sophomore Performance Review, the student may enroll again in 2000 level applied study the following semester and may take the Sophomore Performance Review again. Written comments describing issues that need to be addressed and a remediation plan will be provided to the student. A student who fails the Sophomore Performance Review a second time will be denied future registration in applied instruction. However, students may re-audition for entrance into applied study by submitting a request for audition during one of the scheduled College of Musical Arts audition days. Students should consult their applied instructor for any specific performance requirements for the Sophomore Performance Review.

Recital

A half recital is required of all music education majors. Permission to give a recital is granted by the appropriate faculty. Upon successful completion of the recital, a program signed by the applied instructor must be submitted to the MUED Department secretary. Recitals are not given during the student teaching semester.