BM in Music with Emphasis in Music Education
Degree Program Description
The music education degree program is designed for students who wish to become school music teachers. Graduates will be certified to teach music to children in kindergarten through twelfth grade, including elementary general music and either secondary instrumental or vocal music. MU music education students become successful teachers and performers who are sought after by schools in Missouri and beyond, as well as by prestigious graduate programs. Students enhance their musicianship by taking private lessons and participating in ensembles, and acquire a breadth of knowledge through coursework in general education, professional education and core music areas. They develop skills related to music teaching and rehearsing in their music education classes, which are accompanied by observing, interacting with, and instructing students in the public schools. This allows for important hands-on experience prior to the full semester of student teaching. The faculty members who teach music education courses are active professionals who publish research in prestigious journals, and play leadership roles in international and national organizations devoted to improving prekindergarten through college-level music instruction.
Major Program Requirements
In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated. Please meet with a music education faculty member and/or professional advisor to discuss degree requirements and to create a semester plan.
Curriculum changes mandated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that must be met in order to complete your degree and earn teacher certification may become effective at any point during your academic program. Therefore, it is extremely important that you DO NOT SELF ADVISE.
The lists below are provided as an overview of the degree requirements. Because this degree program is highly sequenced, and includes requirements leading to state certification including specified content, education, and overall grade point averages, students should not use this list to self advise but must work closely with their music education advisors to plan their coursework.
MU General Education Requirements - Students will plan for this coursework with their Music Education Advisors. Note: Students must complete one general education course in the humanities/fine arts area from a department other than Music.
Note: Options do not appear on transcripts or diplomas. Emphasis areas appear on transcripts.
| Music and Education Requirements for All Music Education Students | ||
| MUS_THRY 1220 | Tonal Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 1221 | Tonal Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 1230 | Aural Training and Sight Singing I | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 1231 | Aural Training and Sight Singing II | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2220 | Tonal Music Theory III | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2221 | Tonal Music Theory IV | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2230 | Aural Training and Sight Singing III | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2231 | Aural Training and Sight Singing IV | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 4220 | Post-Tonal Music Theory | 2 |
| MUS_H_LI 1338 | Music and Culture | 2 |
| MUS_H_LI 2307 | History of Western Music I | 2 |
| MUS_H_LI 2308 | History of Western Music II | 2 |
| MUS_I_VT 2631 | Basic Conducting and Score Reading | 2 |
| MUS_GENL 1091 | Recital Attendance for Undergraduate Music Majors (6 semesters) | 0 |
| MUS_I_VT 1610 | Group Piano for Music Majors I | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 1611 | Group Piano for Music Majors II | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2610 | Group Piano for Music Majors III | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2611 | Group Piano for Music Majors IV | 1 |
| MUS_APMS 2455 | Studio Instruction (Major instr. total of 4 semesters, 8 credit hours) | 2 |
| MUS_APMS 3455 | Studio Instruction (total of 4 credit hours) | 2 |
| MUS_ENS 1841 | Instrumental Ensemble (total of 7 credit hours; 1 semester of lab ensemble required; 1 semester of marching band for band instrument majors required) | 1 |
| or MUS_ENS 1842 | Choral Ensemble | |
| MUS_EDUC 1100 | Orientation: Music Education | 1 |
| MUS_EDUC 4140 | Teaching Music I | 3 |
| MUS_EDUC 4141 | Teaching Music I Field Experience | 1 |
| MUS_EDUC 4142 | Teaching Music II | 2 |
| MUS_EDUC 4143 | Teaching Music II Field Experience | 1 |
| MUS_EDUC 4144 | Teaching Music III | 3 |
| MUS_EDUC 4145 | Teaching Music III Field Experience | 1 |
| ESC_PS 2010 | Inquiry Into Learning I | 3 |
| ESC_PS 2014 | Inquiry into Learning I - Field Experience | 1 |
| LTC 2040 | Inquiring into Schools, Community and Society I | 3 |
| LTC 2044 | Inquiry into Schools, Community and Society: Field | 1 |
| SPC_ED 4020 | Teaching the Exceptional Learner | 3 |
| ED_LPA 4060 | Inquiring into Schools, Community and Society II | 3 |
| LTC 4460 | Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 3 |
| LTC 4560 | Reading and Writing in the Content Areas | 3 |
| LTC 4971 | Internship and Capstone Seminar | 12 |
| Additional Music Requirements - Vocal Majors | ||
| MUS_I_VT 2631 | Basic Conducting and Score Reading | 2 |
| MUS_I_VT 2633 | Rehearsal Clinic: Choral Conducting I | 2 |
| MUS_I_VT 2635 | Rehearsal Clinic: Choral Conducting II | 2 |
| MUSIC_NM 1612 | Elementary Folk Guitar Class | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 3643 | Symposium in Instrumental Music (rec) OR Inst Music: 2hrs of Ens/Lesson Tech) | 2 |
| MUS_I_VT 3670 | Diction in Singing: Italian | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 3671 | Diction in Singing: German | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 3672 | Diction in Singing: French | 1 |
| MUS_THRY 4230 | Choral Arranging | 2 |
| Additional Music Requirements - Instrumental Majors | ||
| MUS_I_VT 2634 | Rehearsal Clinic: Band Conducting I | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2636 | Rehearsal Clinic: Band Conducting II | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2648 | Percussion | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2640 | Strings I | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2641 | Strings II | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2637 | Woodwinds I | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2638 | Woodwinds II | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2645 | Brass I | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2646 | Brass II | 1 |
| MUS_THRY 4226 | Instrumentation | 2 |
| MUS_I_VT 3642 | Seminar in String Techniques | 1 |
| or MUS_I_VT 3646 | Marching Band Techniques | |
| MUS_I_VT 3644 | Jazz Methods and Materials | 1 |
| MUS_ENS 1841 | Instrumental Ensemble (marching band, band instrument majors only) | 1 |
| Vocal Music: 1 hour (voice lessons or choir) | ||
Semester Plan
Option, Vocal Music K-12
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
For students without advanced placement of dual high school/college credits, taking general education courses in the summer is strongly recommended. Students wishing to be certified in states outside of Missouri should check the state requirements and plan accordingly.
Option, Instrumental Music K-12
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
For students without advanced placement of dual high school/college credits, taking general education courses in the summer is strongly recommended. Students wishing to be certified in states outside of Missouri should check the state requirements and plan accordingly.
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.