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Bachelor of Music in Music Education

Areas of Study

For the Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree, students typically select one of two programs, but can custom tailor a program of study outside of these traditional tracks, concentrations, or emphases:

  • The Instrumental Concentration in the Music Education program is typically for students who plan to teach and conduct band, orchestra, and other instrumental ensembles.
  • The Choral/General Concentration in the Music Education program is typically for students who plan to teach general music and/or conduct a variety of choral and vocal ensembles.

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree requires a minimum of 124 credit hours.

Sample Degree Map

Choral/General Music Education

Updated 8/22
First Year: Fall Semester/Semester 1
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement* 0
MUS 101 Theory of Music I 3
MUS 151 Aural Skills I 1
MUS 142 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 160 Functional Piano (1)
MUS 175 Introduction to Music Education 3
MUS 113 Choral Practicum 1
MUS 235 Lyric Diction I 2
ENG 111 Composition and Rhetoric (GMP Fnd I) 3
-- Total 16(17)
First Year: Fall Semester/Semester 2
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 102 Theory of Music II 3
MUS 152 Aural Skills II 1
MUS 142 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 161 Functional Piano (1)
MUS 218 Beginning Guitar 1
MUS 112 Lab Choir 0
MUS 185

MUS 186
The Diverse Worlds of Music
-OR-
Global Popular Music (GMP Fnd IIB or IIIB - not both)
3
-- GMP fulfilling course 3
-- GMP fulfilling course 3
Total 17(18)
Second Year: Fall Semester/Semester 3
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 201 Theory of Music III 3
MUS 251 Aural Skills III 1
MUS 242 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 260 Functional Piano (1)
MUS 275 Sophomore Practicum in
Music Ed
1
MUS 113 Choral Practicum 1
EDP 201 Human Development & Learning in
Social & Educational Contexts (GMP Fnd IIC]
3
-- GMP fulfilling course 3
-- Total 15(16)
Second Year: Spring Semester/Semester 4
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 202 Theory of Music IV 3
MUS 252 Aural Skills IV 1
MUS 242 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 261 Functional Piano 1
MUS 112 Lab Choir 0
MUS 221 Music Technologies (GMP Fnd V) [Spring only] 3
EDL 204 Sociocultural Studies in Education(GMP Fnd IIB or IC - not both) 3
-- GMP fulfilling course 3
-- Total 17
Third Year: Fall Semester/Semester 5
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 211 History of Western Music (GMP Fnd IIA) 3
MUS 342 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 352 Conducting I 2
MUS 356 Secondary General Music Techniques [odd-numbered Fall only] 2
MUS 456 Vocal Pedagogy 2
-- Thematic Sequence course 3
-- Total 13/15
Third Year: Spring Semester/Semester 6
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 212 History of Western Music 3
MUS 342 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 112 Lab Choir 0
MUS 354 Conducting II 2
MUS 355 General Music Teaching Techniques -
Early Childhood and Elementary
3
-- GMP fulfilling course 3
-- Thematic Sequence course 3
-- Total 17
Fourth Year: Fall Semester/Semester 7
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 442 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 475 Senior Practicum in Music Education (GMP Capstone) 3
EDP 256 Psychology of the Exceptional Learner 3
MUS 226 Improving Reading Through the
Music Content Area
3
MUS 356 Secondary General Music Techniques
[odd-numbered Fall only]
2
-- Senior Half Recital (no registration) 0
-- Thematic Sequence course 3
-- Total 15/17
Fourth Year: Spring Semester/Semester 8
Course Title Credits
MUS 419 Supervised Teaching in Music 12
-- Total 12
-- Total Hours: 124

*MUS 140 Recital Attendance requires seven semesters of registration

Functional Piano requirement: Completion of MUS 261 or proficiency examination required.

Chamber Music requirement: MUS 139 Chamber Music Experience requires one semester of registration.

^Performance requirement: Half recital in year 4, semester 7 while registered for 400-level Applied Music.

Major instrument requirement: Guitar: MUS454 Guitar Repertory and Pedagogy (2)

Minor applied requirement: An applied major in piano, guitar or band/orchestral instrument is required to take four hours of class or private voice in addition to major applied study.

Large Music Ensemble requirement: Enroll in a large choral ensemble each semester. The large choral ensembles are: MUS 100B Men’s Glee Club, MUS 100D Choraliers, and MUS 100Q Chamber Singers. . Entrance to each group is by audition. When meeting this requirement, students must complete at least two semesters in a mixed (SATB) ensemble (i.e., Chamber Singers (MUS 100).

Piano or guitar majors must enroll as a singer in choral ensembles at least three semesters.

Background Check and Fingerprint are required once a year for all music education majors. 

Admission to sophomore courses in music education contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirements: minimum overall GPA of 2.25 and minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester).

Admission to junior courses in music education contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirements: minimum overall GPA of 2.25 and minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester).

Admission to student teaching contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirement minimum overall GPA of 2.25, minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester), an ACT composite score of 21 or better or total SAT score of 930 or better; completion of functional piano requirement; and completion of MUS113, MUS352, MUS354, MUS355, and MUS356.

Teacher licensure in Ohio and most other states requires completion of a baccalaureate teacher licensure program, passing a licensure examination, and recommendation by the accrediting institution. It is suggested students complete licensure exams (Professional Knowledge: OAE Multi-Age/004 and OAE Music/032) prior to graduation. To be recommended for licensure, teacher candidates must also successfully complete the Educational Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) during their student teaching. Once completed, teacher candidates should apply for licensure. Details are available in 202 McGuffey Hall. All costs associated with licensure are the responsibility of the applicant.

It is the responsibility of the student to see that all university requirements are fulfilled – please refer to the General Bulletin.

Instrumental Music Education

Updated 8/22
First Year: Fall Semester/Semester 1
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement* 0
MUS 101 Theory of Music I 3
MUS 151 Aural Skills I 1
MUS 142 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 160 Functional Piano (1)
MUS 175 Introduction to Music Education 3
ENG 111 Composition and Rhetoric (GMP Fnd I) 3
-- GMP fulfilling course 3
-- Total 16(17)
First Year: Spring Semester/Semester 2
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 102 Theory of Music II 3
MUS 152 Aural Skills II 1
MUS 142 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 161 Functional Piano (1)
MUS 233 Class Instruments: Percussion1 1
MUS 1851 

MUS 1861
The Diverse Worlds of Music
-OR-
Global Popular Music (GMP Fnd IIB or IIIB - not both)
3
-- GMP fulfilling course 3
-- GMP fulfilling course 3
-- Total 17(18)
Second Year: Fall Semester/Semester 3
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 201 Theory of Music III 3
MUS 251 Aural Skills III 1
MUS 242 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 260 Functional Piano (1)
MUS 232A Class Instruments: Woodwinds I 1
MUS 234A Class Instruments: Strings I 1
MUS 275 Sophomore Practicum in
Music Education
1
EDP 201 Human Development & Learning in Social & Educational Contexts (GMP Fnd IIC] 3
-- GMP fulfilling course 3
-- Total 16(17)
Second Year: Spring Semester/Semester 4
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 202 Theory of Music IV 3
MUS 252 Aural Skills IV 1
MUS 242 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 261 Functional Piano (1)
MUS 111 Lab Band 0
MUS 232B Class Instruments: Woodwinds II 1
MUS 234B Class Instruments: Strings II 1
MUS 221 Music Technologies (GMP Fnd V) [Spring only] 3
EDL 2041 Sociocultural Studies in Education(GMP Fnd IIB or IC - not both) 3
-- Total 15(16)
Third Year: Fall Semester/Semester 5
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 2111 History of Western Music 3
MUS 342 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 352 Conducting I 2
MUS 358 Marching Band Techniques2 2
-- GMP fulfilling course 3
-- Thematic Sequence course 3
-- Total 16
Third Year: Spring Semester/Semester 6
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 212 History of Western Music 3
MUS 342 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 111 Lab Band 0
MUS 231 Class Instruments: Brass 1
MUS 354 Conducting II 2
MUS 345 General Music Teaching Techniques —
Early Childhood and Elementary3
1
MUS 359 Instrumental Methods —
Elementary and Secondary
4
-- Thematic Sequence course 3
-- Total 17
Fourth Year: Fall Semester/Semester 7^
Course Title Credits
MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0
MUS 442 Applied Music 2
MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1
MUS 475 Senior Practicum in Music Education 3
EDP 256 Psychology of the Exceptional Learner 3
MUS 226 Improving Reading Through the
Music Content Area
3
-- Senior Half Recital (no registration) 0
-- Thematic Sequence course 3
-- Total 15
Fourth Year: Semester II
Course Title Credits
MUS 419 Supervised Teaching in Music 12
-- Total 12
-- Total Hours: 124

*MUS 140 Recital Attendance requires seven semesters of registration

Percussion majors substitute 1 credit-hour music elective course for MUS 233.

String instrument majors substitute MUS433 String Instrument Pedagogy  [even-numbered Fall semesters] (1) for MUS358. Guitar instrument majors substitute MUS454 Guitar Repertory and Pedagogy (2) for MUS358.

3 Instrumental majors typically register for MUS345 (which consists of the first seven weeks of MUS355 General Music Teaching Techniques - Elementary (3)). Instrumental track students who plan to student teach in elementary general music are advised to take MUS355. It is recommended that instrumental track students also take MUS356 Secondary General Music Techniques (2).

Functional Piano requirement: Completion of MUS 261 or proficiency examination required.

Chamber Music requirement: MUS 139 Chamber Music Experience requires one semester of registration.

^Performance requirement: Half recital in year 4, semester 7 while registered for 400-level Applied Music.

Large Music Ensemble requirement: Enroll in a large instrumental ensemble, in one’s primary performance medium, each semester. The large instrumental ensembles include: MUS 100C Symphony Orchestra, MUS 100E Marching Band, MUS 100F Symphony Band, and MUS 100G Wind Ensemble. Entrance to each group is by audition. Pianists may fulfill the ensemble requirement through participation in a large instrumental ensemble, a large vocal ensemble, accompanying (MUS 110/120), or chamber music as a pianist. (MUS 110/120 fulfills either accompanying requirement or large ensemble requirement in a single semester, but not both). Guitarists may fulfill the ensemble requirement through enrollment in a vocal ensemble, an instrumental ensemble, or chamber music as a guitarist.

Marching Band requirement: Wind and percussion majors must participate two semesters.

Minor applied requirement: An applied major in piano or guitar is required to take four hours of private lessons in band or orchestral instrument in addition to major applied study.

Background Check and Fingerprint are required once a year for all music education majors. 

Admission to sophomore courses in music education contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirements: minimum overall GPA of 2.25 and minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester).

Admission to junior courses in music education contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirements: minimum overall GPA of 2.25 and minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester).

Admission to student teaching contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirement minimum overall GPA of 2.25, minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester), an ACT composite score of 21 or better or total SAT score of 930 or better; completion of functional piano requirement; and completion of MUS 352, MUS 354, MUS 358 (except for string instrument and guitar majors), and MUS 359.

Teacher licensure in Ohio and most other states requires completion of a baccalaureate teacher licensure program, passing a licensure examination, and recommendation by the accrediting institution. It is suggested students complete licensure exams (Professional Knowledge: OAE Multi-Age/004 and OAE Music/032) prior to graduation. To be recommended for licensure, teacher candidates must also successfully complete the Educational Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) during their student teaching. Once completed, teacher candidates should apply for licensure. Details are available in 202 McGuffey Hall. All costs associated with licensure are the responsibility of the applicant.

It is the responsibility of the student to see that all university requirements are fulfilled — please refer to the General Bulletin.

Auditions and Applied Study

Regardless of Concentration, students audition and study a primary instrument. These include:

Bassoon

Cello

Clarinet

Double Bass

Euphonium

Flute

Guitar

Harp

Horn

Oboe

Percussion

Piano

Saxophone

Trombone

Trumpet

Tuba

Viola

Violin

Voice

Department of Music

The Miami University Department of Music encourages its students to develop their relationship to the discipline of music as they explore the world through the lens of a superb liberal arts education.