Music Education (BM)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Unit: Music
Academic Plan Code(s): See Degree Requirements tab.

Program Information

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education program is designed to serve students seeking to develop the skills, experiences, and information to qualify graduates for public school music teacher “New Teacher” certification in the Commonwealth of Kentucky (P-12). 

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Pre-Certification, program is designed for students intending to complete the degree in anticipation of enrollment in the Master of Arts in Teaching program (MAT), when additional professional education, music education, research methods, and clinical education course work are required. More information on this program can be found on the BM in Music Education, Pre-Certification, catalog page.

Degree Summaries

Music Education: Brass, Percussion, or Wind Emphasis

Music Education: Brass, Percussion, or Wind Emphasis w/Track in Jazz Studies

Music Education: Keyboard Emphasis

Music Education: Keyboard Emphasis w/Track in Jazz Studies

Music Education: Strings Emphasis

Music Education: Strings Emphasis w/Track in Jazz Studies

Music Education: Vocal Emphasis

¹

While not included in the School or Program coursework requirements, students are expected to take MUH 214 and MUH 205 to satisfy some of the General Education requirements.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Departmental Admission Requirements

Students in this unit are admitted directly into their degree program. Students considering the tracks in Jazz Studies must audition and be admissible to both Music Education and Jazz Studies. 

General Education Requirements

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

¹

Students are required to take MUH 214 African-American Music - AH, P1 and MUH 205 Music in World Cultures - P2, SB .

²

Students majoring in music may take MUH courses as music electives with the exception of the cardinal core courses  MUH 205 /MUH 214 and MUH 204.

³

Students who do not pass the computer-based Fundamentals Test prior to the beginning of the fall semester are required to enroll in MUS 91 Fundamentals of Music I for 0 credit concurrently with MUS 141 Theory I.  Students who do not pass MUS 141, and students who enter the School of Music in January and do not place into MUS 142, must enroll in MUS 92 for the spring semester.  Credits for MUS 92 do not count toward the degree.

⁴

Students must complete a 1-credit hour module in Term 1 and a 1-credit hour module in Term 2 the same semester that they are registered for MUS 241 Musicianship III.

⁵

Students must complete a 1-credit hour module in Term 1 and a 1-credit hour module in Term 2 the same semester that they are registered for MUS 242 Musicianship IV.

⁶

Seven semesters of Principal Ensemble. Strings take section 01, others solely dependent on the ensemble audition.  Music Education students who are woodwind, brass, or percussion principals are required to fulfill two years of ensemble performance in the Marching Band.  Entering students will be expected to fulfill this requirement during the freshman and sophomore years. Transfer students will be required to fulfill a minimum of one year. A second year may be required based upon evaluation of the transcript.  Woodwind, brass, or percussion principals are also recommended to complete one semester of a Principal Jazz Ensemble.  Jazz Track:  take 6 semesters of “Classical” ensemble and 1 semester of a Principal Jazz Ensemble.)

⁷

Students must be enrolled continuously in Piano Class until their requirement has been completed. Those who pass the Piano Proficiency Examination before the end of the third semester of Piano Class may replace the requirement with electives or with Secondary Piano if faculty load permits. Entering students who have a background in piano may register for  MUS 297 Piano Proficiency for one semester with approval of the Keyboard Area. Students will take the Piano Proficiency Examination at the end of MUS 231. Any student not completing the Piano Proficiency Examination will be required to take MUS 232 until the Piano Proficiency Examination requirement is complete.

Upper Division Assessment
All students enrolled in a music degree program will be reviewed at the approximate midpoint of the selected program in order for students to achieve Upper Division status. Students must meet the standards of this review to register for 400-level courses in music. Both the elements and standards of the review are established by the faculty and include credit for MUS 242 Theory IV; MUS 361 Music Literature I; 4 semesters of Applied Instrument at the course numbers required for the degree; Piano Proficiency Examination; MUS 97 Recital Attendance, with a grade of S for 4 semesters; Ensemble participation; cumulative 2.5 GPA (good standing); minimum of 48 credit hours completed; pass ENGL 101 or ENGL 105; and 3 additional General Education/Cardinal Core courses.

Additional specific elements and standards appropriate to specific degree programs in jazz studies (including jazz performance, music education and music therapy with tracks in jazz studies, and the BA in jazz studies), music composition, music education, music history, instrumental and vocal performance, pedagogy, music theory, and music therapy are required of students in order to achieve Upper Division status and to continue in the degree program.  Specific degree requirements are determined by the concentration and area faculties and are outlined in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.

Admission to Teacher Education
Students must apply to Teacher Education in the second semester of their Sophomore year (February 1st application deadline).  Failure to be admitted to teacher education will delay students’ ability to take advanced classes in music education and teacher education.

Requirements for application to teacher education are the following:

• Minimum 45 credit hours (completed or in progress at the time of application) with minimum 2.75 cumulative college grade point average;
• Grade of C+ or higher in MUS 116;
• Successful completion of an additional two credit hours of Music Education courses;
• Passing PPST PRAXIS I scores as follows:  Math (150), Writing (162), Reading (156);
• C or better in ENGL 102;
• C or better in Oral Communication course (such as COMM 111 or COMM 115);
• Professional Statement (as directed in application);
• Three Letters of Recommendation (as directed in application);
• Successful Interview;
• Agreement to Professional Code of Ethics, Statement of Understanding of Admission Guidelines, and CEHD Acceptable Use of Technology forms (as directed in application).

Students must complete 200 hours of field observations and related activities, as outlined by the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) prior to being permitted to student teach.  These field experiences must be non-paid experiences.  This regulation will begin based on regulations and timelines stipulated by EPSB.

Students must be admitted to Teacher Education before being permitted to take the following upper-division music education courses:

Students must pass the Pre-Professional Standards Test (PPST) prior to student teaching and Praxis I and II exams as required by EPSB and obtain a “B” average in EDTP 420 and ECPY 507 (or approved Education course substitution).

Program/Major Requirements

Brass Emphasis

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEBRS

Some required courses require admission to Teacher Certification prior to enrollment. Please refer to "Admission to Teacher Certification" (above) for requirements and a list of courses.

*

 Non-principal instrument

Brass Emphasis with a Track in Jazz Studies

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEBRJ

**

Combination of courses determined by audition.

Keyboard Emphasis

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEKEY

Some required courses require admission to Teacher Certification prior to enrollment. Please refer to "Admission to Teacher Certification" (above) for requirements and a list of courses.

Keyboard Emphasis with a Track in Jazz Studies

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEKEJ

**

 Combination of courses determined by audition.

Percussion Emphasis

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEPER

Some required courses require admission to Teacher Certification prior to enrollment. Please refer to "Admission to Teacher Certification" (above) for requirements and a list of courses.

*

 Non-principal instrument

Percussion Emphasis with a Track in Jazz Studies

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEPRJ

**

 Combination of courses determined by audition.

*

 Non-principal instrument

Wind Emphasis with a Track in Jazz Studies

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEWNJ

**

Combination of courses determined by audition.

Strings Emphasis

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMESTR

Some required courses require admission to Teacher Certification prior to enrollment. Please refer to "Admission to Teacher Certification" (above) for requirements and a list of courses.

*

 Non-principal instrument

Strings Emphasis with a Track in Jazz Studies

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMESTJ

**

Combination of courses determined by audition.

Vocal Emphasis

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEVOC

Some required courses require admission to Teacher Certification prior to enrollment. Please refer to "Admission to Teacher Certification" (above) for requirements and a list of courses.

Flight Plans, BM in Music Education

Flight Plans for Emphases with tracks in Jazz Studies are on the following tabs (Jazz Flight Plans, Even and Jazz Flight Plans, Odd).

Vocal Emphasis

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEVOC

Keyboard Emphasis

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEKEY

Brass Emphasis

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEBRS

Percussion Emphasis

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEPER

Strings Emphasis

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMESTR

Wind Emphasis

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEWND

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation.  Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."
   3. To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.

Flight Plans, Emphases with Tracks in Jazz Studies, Even-Year Starts

Flight Plans for Emphases without tracks in Jazz Studies are on the preceding tab (Flight Plans). 

The four-year plans of study listed below are applicable for students who begin their academic programs in the fall semester of even-numbered years (e.g., 2018, 2020, 2022, etc.). Students starting in odd-numbered years should refer to the Jazz Flight Plans, Odd tab.

Brass Emphasis, Track in Jazz Studies, Even-Year Starts

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEBRJ

The four-year plan of study listed below is applicable for students who begin their academic programs in the fall semester of even-numbered years (e.g., 2018, 2020, 2022, etc.).

Percussion Emphasis, Track in Jazz Studies, Even-Year Starts

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEPRJ

The four-year plan of study listed below is applicable for students who begin their academic programs in the fall semester of even-numbered years (e.g., 2018, 2020, 2022, etc.).

Strings Emphasis, Track in Jazz Studies, Even-Year Starts

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMESTJ

The four-year plan of study listed below is applicable for students who begin their academic programs in the fall semester of even-numbered years (e.g., 2018, 2020, 2022, etc.).

Wind Emphasis, Track in Jazz Studies, Even-Year Starts

Academic Plan Code(s): MUEDBMEWNJ

The four-year plan of study listed below is applicable for students who begin their academic programs in the fall semester of even-numbered years (e.g., 2018, 2020, 2022, etc.).