Bachelor of Music Education (BME) Degree Requirement Check Sheet


The BME degree program requires between 120-129 hours, including 45 Junior/Senior hours (courses numbered 300 and above) for graduation. Coursework satisfies requirements in three areas:

  • University general education (KU Core) requirements,
  • School of Music requirements, and
  • Music Education requirements.

Students typically complete the degree program in eight semesters of full-time work including a semester of student teaching and internship in the public schools. 

    Download the check sheet (.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.

    PLT Exam 160 minimum score, Praxis II Music Exam 152 minimum score required for licensure not graduation.

    Effective October 2021

     BME Degree Check Sheet

    KU Core (not fulfilled by Music courses) (28 credits)

    CreditsCourse
    3English (ENGL 101): Goal 2 Outcome 1 (GE21)1
    3English (ENGL 102 or other approved options: ENGL 105, 203, 205, 209, 210, 211): Goal 2 Outcome 1 (GE21)1
    3Math (MATH 101): Goal 1 Outcome 2 (GE12)1
    3Natural Science (BIOL 100 Lecture): Goal 3N (GE3N)
    1Natural Science (BIOL 200 Lab): Goal 3N (GE3N) 
    3Social Science (PSYC 104): Goal 3S (GE3S)
    3Social Responsibility & Ethics (PHIL 160 recommended): Goal 5 (AE51 or AE52)
    3CLAS Elective (SOC/ANTH (S) recommended)
    3CLAS Elective
    3CLAS Elective

    Music Theory/Composition (16 credits)

    CreditsCourse
    3MTHC 105 Theory I (Fall only)
    1MTHC 106 Aural Skills I (Fall only)
    3MTHC 115 Theory II (Spring only): Goal 1 Outcome 1 (GE11)
    1MTHC 116 Aural Skills II (Spring only)
    4MTHC 205 Theory III (Fall only)
    4MTHC 315 Theory IV (Spring only)1

    Musicology (12 credits)

    CreditsCourse
    3MUSC 320 Music History I (Fall only):Goal 4 Outcome 2 (AE42)
    3MUSC 340 Music History II (Spring only):Goal 3H Arts & Humanities (GE3H)
    3MUSC 440 Music History III (Fall only)
    3MUSC 480 Music History IV (Spring only): Goal 4 Outcome 1 (AE41)

    Piano Skills (2-5 credits)

    CreditsCourse
     Zero credits if placement out of PIAN 288 or PIAN 310
     Students with no prior piano experience should take PIAN 144-288.
    1PIAN 144 (If needed, 1 credit hour, remedial)
    1PIAN 148
    2PIAN 284
    2PIAN 2881
     Students with major performance medium of Piano or Organ will only take PIAN 310.
    2PIAN 310 (see above)

    Ensembles (7 semesters) (7 credits)

    CreditsCourse
     Major Auditioned Ensembles
     Winds & Percussion: 1 semester Marching Band required
     Vocal: 6 semesters major ensemble & 1 semester small ensemble, as per ME UG Handbook
    1Ensemble1,2
    1Ensemble1,2
    1Ensemble1,2
    1Ensemble
    1Ensemble
    1Ensemble
    1Ensemble

    Applied Music Lessons (7 semesters) (14 credits)

    CreditsCourse
     Minimum of B- for all lessons
    21211
    21211
    22211
    2221
    2321
    2321
    2422 (Applied Lessons with Senior Recital): Goal 6 Integrate Knowledge/Capstone (AE61)

    REC 100 (2 semesters) (0 credits)

    CreditsCourse
    0REC 1001
    0REC 1001

    Performance Techniques (5 credits)

    CreditsCourse
    1MEMT 113 Brass1,2
    1MEMT 114 Woodwinds I1,2
    1MEMT 115 Percussion1,2
    1MEMT 118 Strings1,2
    1MEMT 408 Vocal Pedagogy2

    Conducting/Rehearsal (8 credits)

    CreditsCourse
    1MEMT 230 Performance Clinic: Band1,2
    1MEMT 231 Performance Clinic: Choral1,2
    1MEMT 232 Performance Clinic: Orchestra1,2
    1MEMT 246 Conducting1,2
    1MEMT 330 Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic-Band:Goal 2 Outcome 2 (GE22):
    1MEMT 331 Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic-Choral:Goal 2 Outcome 2 (GE22):
    1MEMT 332 Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic-Orchestra:Goal 2 Outcome 2 (GE22):
     Only one of three below required:
    1MEMT 350 Advanced Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic: Band2
    1MEMT 351 Advanced Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic: Choral2
    1MEMT 352 Advanced Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic: Orchestra2

    Music Education Professional (20 credits)

    CreditsCourse
    1MEMT 160 Principles of Music Education1,2
    2MEMT 250 Human Musical Learning and Development1,2
    3SPED 326 Teaching Exceptional Children & Youth in General Education2
    1C&T 359 Literacy in the Content Areas2
    2MEMT 407 Exceptional Children in Music Education2
    3MEMT 420 Teaching Elementary & Secondary General Music2
    2MEMT 450 Teaching Choral Music2
    2MEMT 451 Teaching Instrumental Music2
    3MEMT 455 Psychology of Music2
     Only one of four below required
    1MEMT 421 Advanced General Music Teaching (General only)2
    1MEMT 431 Choral Diction for Music Educators (Choral only)2
    1MEMT 432 Approaches to String Pedagogy (Strings only)2
    1MEMT 435 Marching Band Techniques (Winds & Percussion only)2

    Electives (TBD w/ Advisor) Choose two (2 credits)

    CreditsCourse
    1MEMT 117 Voice2 (Fall only)
    1MEMT 119 Guitar2 (Fall only)
    1MEMT 314 Performance Media: Woodwinds II2 (Fall only)
    1MEMT 338 Rehearsal/Conducting Clinic Non-Traditional Ensemble2 (Spring only)
    1MEMT 419 Tech in Music Ed2 (Spring only)
    1MEMT 433 Jazz Techniques2 (Spring only)
     Any above courses not required can be taken as an elective credit

    Student Teaching/Internship (G5) (6-12 credits)

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

    Key

    1Course Criteria for Admission to Professional Sequence

    2Requires minimum of C

    PLT and Praxis II Exams required for licensure, not graduation