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Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

Music Education BME – K-12 Instrumental Teaching Concentration - Licensure: Music (Grades K-12)

Program Overview

College of Performing and Visual Arts

Contact: Lindsay Fulcher, Ph.D., Head, Music Education Area

Location: Frasier Hall 108

Telephone: 970.351.2993

Fax: 970.351.1923

Website: arts.unco.edu/music

Advising Information:

Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.

To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.

The program consists of four parts:

  1. Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
  2. Required Major Credits
  3. Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) Credits
  4. University-Wide Credits

*For Educator licensure majors, PTEP coursework counts towards the minimum of nine upper-division UNC credits (300-400).

Program Description:

The Bachelor of Music Education degree emphasizes excellence in musicianship, teaching, and general studies. Attention will be given to attitudes relating to human considerations, social, economic, and culturally responsive components that give individual communities their identity. 

The degree program assists students in becoming broadly based, knowledgeable, and skilled school music educators with licensure to teach Music K-12.

Program Admission Requirements:

  • Students planning to major in music are required to submit an application for admission to the School of Music. An audition is required for all applicants to music degree programs; for some graduate programs, an interview may be conducted in lieu of an audition. Current School of Music admission guidelines and audition requirements are available at: arts.unco.edu/music/apply/.
  • Students meeting the general admission requirements of the University may be accepted as undeclared majors. However, students may only be designated as music majors upon successful completion of the School of Music application and audition process.

Music Education Program Requirement

  • All program requirements must be completed prior to student teaching.
  • In all MUS courses, a student must receive C- or better to fulfill degree requirements
  • Any student receiving lower than a C- in a MUS prefix class for the second time in the same class will be placed on probation. If the student receives lower than a C- a third time in the same class, the student will be removed from the major.
  • Students are required to take MUS 100 7 times, based on degree. This is not tied to lessons.
  • After students have fulfilled the requirements for applied lessons in their degree, additional applied lessons will be at the discretion of the studio teacher and Director.
  • All students in applied lessons must enroll in a major ensemble. Students that do not have a major ensemble required for the duration of the degree program should follow their degree requirements.
  • Any student receiving a grade below a C- in applied lessons will be placed on probation. A second semester of a grade below a C- in applied lessons will result, upon consent from the area, in removal from the major.
  • The required half Senior Recital must be performed during a semester prior to the student teaching semester. Students must meet all music performance and recital attendance requirements listed in the respective studio and/ or area handbooks.
  • The student must pass an upper-level qualifying examination, determined by the performance area, before they may enroll in 400-level instruction. This examination is to be taken by the end of the fourth semester of 200-level instruction. If the student does not pass this examination on the first try, they may retake it once in the subsequent semester. If the student does not pass a second time, they will be removed from the degree.
  • Two semesters of 400-level instruction (Applied Music) are required.

Music Education PTEP Requirement

  • Student must demonstrate professional promise as a teacher to the satisfaction of the music education faculty via an interview with the faculty as part of MUS 210 (Introduction to Music Education), and must continue to demonstrate professional growth through satisfactory progress in subsequent coursework.
  • Students admitted to professional teacher education programs are expected to maintain accepted standards of professional behavior in all aspects of their work in their program. The music education faculty will periodically review the suitability of candidates for continuation in the program. Students who do not attain or uphold such standards are subject to academic sanctions at the discretion of the music education faculty, including denial, suspension, probation, or dismissal from the program.
  • Previously admitted students whose progress in the program is deemed suspect or unacceptable may be required to appear before the music education faculty (individually or collectively) to discuss conditions for their continuance as a professional teacher candidate.

PTEP Program Requirement:

Teacher candidates who complete an approved content degree and the UNC professional teacher education program, as well as pass the appropriate Colorado Department of Education designated PRAXIS exam (if applicable), will be eligible for recommendation from UNC for a Colorado Department of Education teaching license.

If you are seeking licensure in your program area, the following items are required to complete your program.

  • Completion of Application for Initial Admission to PTEP – referred to as Checkpoint #1 (Enrollment in this checkpoint will result in a one-time program fee, assessed to student accounts to pay for assessment software. This checkpoint will also require an out-of-pocket payment - to the chosen approved vendor - to obtain a fingerprint background check, which is required by the Colorado Department of Education.)
  • Completion of Full Admission to PTEP – referred to as Checkpoint #2
  • Completion of Application for Student Teaching – referred to as Checkpoint #3
  • Completion of content specific PRAXIS test prior to Student Teaching
  • Candidates may not take extra courses with Student Teaching without prior approval from the Program Coordinator and the STE Director.
  • All PTEP Field Experiences and methods courses need to be successfully completed prior to Student Teaching.
  • Student Teaching outside the supervision of UNC Faculty may or may not be approved.
  • Teacher Candidates will not be placed in a school where they were once students or where they have a close relative attending and/or working.
  • Teacher education and educator preparation licensure programs do not accept Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) or field based courses that are more than ten years old. PLEASE NOTE: Teacher Candidates have the right to petition this policy at the discretion of the program coordinator.

Please work with your content advisor to determine when these requirements will be completed throughout your program. 

Degree Requirements — 121 Credits

1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits

To complete the degree in 121 credits as outlined, the program recommends the below LAC courses that also count toward the BME required major credits. 

Any additional coursework completed outside of the recommended list below may extend the length of the program of study.

Written Communication — 6 credits

Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.

See Written Communication courses

Mathematics — 3 credits

Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list. 

See Mathematics courses

Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS], and International Studies [IS] — 15 credits

To complete the LAC in the minimum number of credits, be sure to choose at least one course with an IS designation and one course with an MS designation. 

MUS 143 (3) Musical Styles and Context and MUS 243 (3) History of Music 1 are recommended to fulfill Arts & Humanities requirements and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements. 

See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses

Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits

Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.

See Natural & Physical Sciences courses

See Liberal Arts Curriculum

2. Required Major — 59 credits

Take all of the following courses:

MUS 100Recitals, Concerts and Productions

0

MUS 113Music Theory I

3

MUS 114Aural Skills and Sight Singing I

1

MUS 115Music Theory II

3

MUS 116Aural Skills and Sight Singing II

1

MUS 143Musical Styles and ContextLAA1

3

MUS 160Class Piano I

1

MUS 161Class Piano II

1

MUS 209Introduction to Music Technology

2

MUS 213Music Theory III

3

MUS 214Aural Skills and Sight Singing III

1

MUS 215Music Theory IV

3

MUS 216Aural Skills and Sight Singing IV

1

MUS 243History of Music ILAA1

3

MUS 244History of Music II

3

MUS 260Class Piano III

1

MUS 314Guitar in the Classroom

1

MUS 319Instrumental Techniques and Conducting

1

MUS 320Wind Literature, Pedagogy and Conducting

2

MUS 330String Techniques

1

MUS 360Voice Class

1

MUS 361Single Reed and Flute Class

1

MUS 362Double Reed Class

1

MUS 365Percussion Techniques

1

MUS 368Brass Techniques I

1

MUS 369Brass Techniques II

1

MUS 404Jazz Methods and Materials

2

Major Musical Organization

7

Performance Study and/or Applied Music

7

Jazz emphasis students should take 4 credits of 221/225/421/425 and 3 credits of Classical MMOs. 

MUS 143: Satisfies LAC Arts & Humanities.

MUS 243: Satisfies LAC Arts & Humanities.

Choose two credits from the following courses based on your instrument:

Brass, Woodwind, and Percussion (2 credits)
MUS 292Marching Band

1

MUS 492Marching Band

1

Strings (2 credits)
MUS 230Small Ensembles and Chamber Music

1

MUS 430Small Ensembles and Chamber Music

1

3. Required PTEP — 37 credits

Complete one of the following courses:

PSY 347Educational Psychology for Elementary Teachers

3

PSY 349Educational Psychology for Secondary Teachers

3

Complete the following courses:

EDF 290Foundations of Education

3

EDFE 444Supervised Student Teaching

1-15

ECLD 340Academic Language/Literacy Development in the Content Areas at the Secondary Level

3

EDSE 433Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom

2

EDFE 444: Students will take 11 credits

Complete the following PTEP Methods Courses (15 credits):

MUS 210Introduction to Music Education

1

MUS 310Teaching General Music in Elementary Schools

2

MUS 312Teaching Instrumental Music in Elementary Schools

2

MUS 325Choral Methods and Literature for Elementary and Secondary Schools

2

MUS 331String Pedagogy and Literature for the Instrumental Music Teacher

2

MUS 356Marching Band Techniques

1

MUS 413Teaching Contemporary and Culturally Responsive Music in Schools

2

MUS 414Transitional Capstone Course in Music Education

2

MUS 450Seminar in Student Teaching for Music Educators

1

4. University-Wide Credits — 0 credits*

*Note: Students must apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum requirements and the major requirements to complete this degree program in 121 credit hours. This degree does not require university wide electives and has received an exception from the CDHE to exceed the typical limit of 120 credit hours.

Four Year Plan

This four year plan is a recommended schedule to complete this bachelor's degree in 4 years. Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor to receive information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance. 

Year 1 – 32 credits

Fall Semester

MUS 100Recitals, Concerts and Productions

0

MUS 113Music Theory I

3

MUS 114Aural Skills and Sight Singing I

1

MUS 160Class Piano I

1

MUS 230Small Ensembles and Chamber Music

1

or

MUS 292Marching Band

1

Applied Music Course

1

Major Musical Organization

1

Liberal Arts Curriculum

3

Liberal Arts Curriculum

4

Total Credit Hours:15

Spring Semester

MUS 100Recitals, Concerts and Productions

0

MUS 115Music Theory II

3

MUS 116Aural Skills and Sight Singing II

1

MUS 143Musical Styles and ContextLAA1

3

MUS 161Class Piano II

1

MUS 314Guitar in the Classroom

1

Applied Music Course

1

Major Musical Organization

1

Liberal Arts Curriculum

3

Liberal Arts Curriculum

3

Application for Initial Admission to PTEP

Total Credit Hours:17

Year 2 – 33 credits

Fall Semester

MUS 100Recitals, Concerts and Productions

0

MUS 210Introduction to Music Education

1

MUS 213Music Theory III

3

MUS 214Aural Skills and Sight Singing III

1

MUS 230Small Ensembles and Chamber Music

1

or

MUS 292Marching Band

1

MUS 243History of Music ILAA1

3

MUS 260Class Piano III

1

MUS 360Voice Class

1

MUS 365Percussion Techniques

1

PSY 347Educational Psychology for Elementary Teachers

3

or

PSY 349Educational Psychology for Secondary Teachers

3

Applied Music Course

1

Major Musical Organization

1

Total Credit Hours:17

Choose one required PTEP Core course (PSY 247 or PSY 349, EDF 290, ECLD 340, or EDSE 433)

Spring Semester

EDF 290Foundations of Education

3

MUS 100Recitals, Concerts and Productions

0

MUS 215Music Theory IV

3

MUS 216Aural Skills and Sight Singing IV

1

MUS 244History of Music II

3

MUS 361Single Reed and Flute Class

1

Applied Music Course

1

Major Musical Organization

1

Liberal Arts Curriculum

3

Application for Full Admission to PTEP

Total Credit Hours:16

Choose one required PTEP Core course (PSY 247 or PSY 349, EDF 290, ECLD 340, or EDSE 433)

Year 3 – 32 credits

Fall Semester

MUS 100Recitals, Concerts and Productions

0

MUS 209Introduction to Music Technology

2

MUS 310Teaching General Music in Elementary Schools

2

MUS 312Teaching Instrumental Music in Elementary Schools

2

MUS 319Instrumental Techniques and Conducting

1

MUS 330String Techniques

1

MUS 362Double Reed Class

1

MUS 368Brass Techniques I

1

Applied Music Course

1

Jazz Ensemble Course

1

or

Major Musical Organization

1

Liberal Arts Curriculum

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Spring Semester

ECLD 340Academic Language/Literacy Development in the Content Areas at the Secondary Level

3

MUS 100Recitals, Concerts and Productions

0

MUS 320Wind Literature, Pedagogy and Conducting

2

MUS 325Choral Methods and Literature for Elementary and Secondary Schools

2

MUS 331String Pedagogy and Literature for the Instrumental Music Teacher

2

MUS 369Brass Techniques II

1

MUS 404Jazz Methods and Materials

2

Applied Music Course

1

Jazz Ensemble Course

1

or

Major Musical Organization

1

Liberal Arts Curriculum

3

Total Credit Hours:17

Choose one required PTEP Core course (PSY 247 or PSY 349, EDF 290, ECLD 340, or EDSE 433)

Year 4 – 24 credits

Fall Semester

EDSE 433Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom

2

MUS 100Recitals, Concerts and Productions

0

MUS 356Marching Band Techniques

1

MUS 413Teaching Contemporary and Culturally Responsive Music in Schools

2

MUS 414Transitional Capstone Course in Music Education

2

Applied Music Course

1

Jazz Ensemble Course

1

or

Major Musical Organization

1

Liberal Arts Curriculum

3

Application for Student Teaching

Total Credit Hours:12

Choose one required PTEP Core course (PSY 247 or PSY 349, EDF 290, ECLD 340, or EDSE 433)

Spring Semester

EDFE 444Supervised Student Teaching

1-15

MUS 450Seminar in Student Teaching for Music Educators

1

Total Credit Hours:12

EDFE 444: Take 11 credits

Advising Notes –

  • This four year plan is a recommended schedule to complete your bachelor’s degree in 4 years. You will meet with the School of Music Retention Coordinator and your faculty advisor every semester to track your progress. 

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