Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) 4-Year Degree Plan


The 4-Year Degree Plan 

Planning out a sequential course-of-study for any degree is essential to ensuring a timely graduation. For this reason, a model 4-year BME degree plan has been provided below to help you in this process. Music education majors are strongly encouraged to adhere to this plan's sequence.

Download the 4-year plan (.docx)

Please contact Rita Riley in the School of Music Student Services Office, Room 450 Murphy Hall, if you have any questions.

A printed copy of this document may be requested from the Student Services Office.

Effective October 2021

Notable Due Dates

As you review the sequence of coursework below, please note the following due dates. 

  • Upon completion of the first semester of their Sophomore year, students must apply for admission to the Professional Sequence upon completion of the first semester of their Sophomore year. See the Professional Sequence Application for more information and requirements.
     
  • Approximately 1 year prior to their expected graduation date, students must request a graduation check from Rita Riley in the School of Music Student Services Office (Murphy Hall 450). Graduation checks before that time should occur with the student's MEMT advisor.
     
  • Prior to graduation students must submit their application for graduation online through Enroll & Pay, and successfully complete their major applied instrument (422) including the senior half-recital.
     
  • During their final semester students must:
    • Register to take the Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT) test
    • Register to take the Praxis II Music Content test during the final semester
    • Check their degree requirements check sheet to see that they have met all of the graduation requirements for MEMT

Bachelor of Music Education (BME) 4-Year Program Plan

First Year - Fall Semester (16-17 credits)

CreditsCourse
1MEMT 160 Principles of Music Education (Fall only)1
1MEMT 113 Performance Methods Brass1
1MEMT 118 Performance Methods Strings1
3MTHC 105 Theory I (Fall only)
1MTHC 106 Aural Skills I (Fall only)
0REC 100 Lab in Performance1
2121 Studio Lessons1
1Ensemble (BAND/CHOR/ORCH)1
1PIAN 144 Elementary Keyboard Skills I (if needed, 1 credit hour, remedial) (Fall only)
3ENGL 101 Composition1
3MATH 101 Algebra (or higher)1

First Year - Spring Semester (17 credits)

CreditsCourse
3MTHC 115 Theory II (Spring only)
1MTHC 116 Aural Skills II (Spring only)
0REC 100 Lab in Performance1
2121 Studio Lessons1
1Ensemble (BAND/CHOR/ORCH)1
1PIAN 148 Elementary Keyboard Skills II (Spring only)
3ENGL 102 Critical Reading & Writing (or approved other options: ENGL 105, 203, 205, 209, 210, 211)1
3CLAS Elective (SOC/ANTH (S) recommended)
3CLAS Elective

Second Year - Fall Semester (18 credits)

CreditsCourse
1MEMT 114 Performance Methods Woodwinds I1
1

MEMT 230 Performance Clinic Band1

OR

MEMT 231 Performance Clinic Choral1

1MEMT 232 Performance Clinic Orchestra (Fall only)1
4MTHC 205 Theory III (Fall only)
3**MUSC 320 Music History I (Fall only)1
2221 Studio Lessons1
1Ensemble (BAND/CHOR/ORCH)1
2

PIAN 284 Intermediate Keyboard Skills I (Fall only)1

OR

*PIAN 310 Advanced Keyboard Skills (Fall only) (Performance majors, piano or organ)

3PSYC 104 General Psychology

Second Year - Spring Semester (17 credits)

CreditsCourse
1MEMT 115 Performance Methods Percussion1
1

MEMT 230 Performance Clinic Band1

OR

MEMT 231 Performance Clinic Choral1

1MEMT 246 Fundamentals of Conducting1
2MEMT 250 Human Musical Learning & Development (Spring only)1
4MTHC 315 Theory IV (Spring only)1
3MUSC 340 Music History II (Spring only)
2221 Studio Lessons
1Ensemble (BAND/CHOR/ORCH)
2PIAN 288 Intermediate Keyboard Skills II (Spring only)

Third Year - Fall Semester (16-17 credits)

CreditsCourse
1MEMT 330 Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic Band (Fall only)2
1MEMT 332 Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic Orchestra (Fall only)2
1MEMT Elective (see degree requirement check sheet)
1MEMT 408 Vocal Pedagogy2
2321 Studio Lessons
1Ensemble (BAND/CHOR/ORCH)
3MUSC 440 Music History III (Fall only)
3BIOL 100 Principles of Biology
1BIOL 102 Principles of Biology Lab
3SPED 326 Teaching Exceptional Children & Youth in General Education2

Third Year - Spring Semester (16-18 credits)

CreditsCourse
1MEMT 331 Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic Choral2
1MEMT Elective (see degree requirement check sheet)
1-2

Select either MEMT 350, MEMT 431, OR both MEMT 352 and MEMT 432

MEMT 350 Advanced Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic Band (Winds & Percussion)2, 4

MEMT 431 Choral Diction for Music Educators (Voice)2, 3

MEMT 352 Advanced Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic Orchestra (Strings)2, 4

MEMT 432 Approaches to String Pedagogy (Strings)2, 3

(Spring only)

 

Plan accordingly:

If taking MEMT 350, must also take MEMT 435.

If taking MEMT 351, must also take MEMT 421 or MEMT 431.

If taking MEMT 352, must also take MEMT 432.

3MEMT 420 Teaching Elementary and Secondary General Music (Spring only)2
2321 Studio Lessons
1Ensemble (BAND/CHOR/ORCH)
3MUSC 480 Music History IV (Spring only)
1C&T Literacy in the Content Areas (Spring only)2
3PHIL 160 Intro to Ethics (or G5 equivalent)

Fourth Year - Fall Semester (16 credits)

CreditsCourse
2MEMT 407 Exceptional Children in Music Education (Fall only)2
2MEMT 450 Teaching Choral Music (Fall only)2
2MEMT 451 Teaching Instrumental Music (Fall only)2
3MEMT 455 Psychology of Music (Fall only)2
1

MEMT 351 Advanced Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic Choral (Voice)2, 4

OR

MEMT 421 Advanced General Music Teaching (General Education)2, 3

OR

MEMT 435 Marching Band Techniques (Winds & Percussion)2, 3

(Fall only)

2422 Applied Lessons with Senior Half-Recital
1Ensemble (BAND/CHOR/ORCH)
3CLAS Elective

Fourth Year - Spring Semester (6-12 credits)

CreditsCourse
2-4MEMT 498 Student Teaching2
4-8MEMT 499 Internship in Teaching Music2

Key

*Students with no prior piano experience should take the keyboard skills sequence (PIAN 144-288). Demonstration of skills is needed to pass/test out of PIAN (144-288). Students whose major performance medium is piano or organ should take PIAN 310 after completing two semesters of music theory (This course is only taken once in the fall term of the sophomore year.).

**Music Theory I & II and Aural Skills I & II should be taken prior to Music History I or higher.

1Courses must be completed successfully before admission to the Professional Sequence.

2Admission to the Professional Sequence is a prerequisite for enrolling in these courses.

3Choose only one of four required (MEMT 421, 431, 432, 435).

4Choose only one of three required (MEMT 350, 351, 352).