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Columbia, MO 65211
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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

Students must complete all university, general education, and content requirements, in addition to degree requirements. Please meet with a music education faculty member 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: Options do not appear on transcripts or diplomas. Emphasis areas appear on transcripts.

Music and Education Requirements for All Music Education Students
MUS_THRY 1220Tonal Music Theory I2
MUS_THRY 1221Tonal Music Theory II2
MUS_THRY 1230Aural Training and Sight Singing I2
MUS_THRY 1231Aural Training and Sight Singing II2
MUS_THRY 2220Tonal Music Theory III2
MUS_THRY 2221Tonal Music Theory IV2
MUS_THRY 2230Aural Training and Sight Singing III2
MUS_THRY 2231Aural Training and Sight Singing IV2
MUS_THRY 4220Post-Tonal Music Theory2
MUS_H_LI 1322Introduction to Music in the United States2
MUS_H_LI 2307History of Western Music I2
MUS_H_LI 2308History of Western Music II2
MUS_I_VT 2631Basic Conducting and Score Reading2
MUS_GENL 1091Recital Attendance for Undergraduate Music Majors (6 semesters)0
MUS_I_VT 1610Group Piano for Music Majors I1
MUS_I_VT 1611Group Piano for Music Majors II1
MUS_I_VT 2610Group Piano for Music Majors III1
MUS_I_VT 2611Group Piano for Music Majors IV1
MUS_APMS 2455Studio Instruction (Major instr. total of 4 semesters, 8 credit hours)2
MUS_APMS 3455Studio Instruction (total of 4 credit hours)2
MUS_ENS 1841Instrumental 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 1100Orientation: Music Education1
MUS_EDUC 4140Teaching Music I3
MUS_EDUC 4141Teaching Music I Field Experience1
MUS_EDUC 4142Teaching Music II2
MUS_EDUC 4143Teaching Music II Field Experience1
MUS_EDUC 4144Teaching Music III3
MUS_EDUC 4145Teaching Music III Field Experience1
ESC_PS 2010Inquiry Into Learning I3
ESC_PS 2014Inquiry into Learning I - Field Experience1
LTC 2040Inquiring into Schools, Community and Society I3
LTC 2044Inquiry into Schools, Community and Society: Field1
SPC_ED 4020Teaching the Exceptional Learner3
ED_LPA 4060Inquiring into Schools, Community and Society II3
LTC 4460Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages3
LTC 4560Reading and Writing in the Content Areas3
LTC 4971Internship and Capstone Seminar12
Additional Music Requirements - Vocal Majors
MUS_I_VT 2631Basic Conducting and Score Reading2
MUS_I_VT 2633Rehearsal Clinic: Choral Conducting I2
MUS_I_VT 2635Rehearsal Clinic: Choral Conducting II2
MUSIC_NM 1612Elementary Folk Guitar Class1
MUS_I_VT 3643Symposium in Instrumental Music (rec) OR Inst Music: 2hrs of Ens/Lesson Tech)2
MUS_I_VT 3670Diction in Singing: Italian1
MUS_I_VT 3671Diction in Singing: German1
MUS_I_VT 3672Diction in Singing: French1
MUS_THRY 4230Choral Arranging2
Additional Music Requirements - Instrumental Majors
MUS_I_VT 2634Rehearsal Clinic: Band Conducting I1
MUS_I_VT 2636Rehearsal Clinic: Band Conducting II1
MUS_I_VT 2648Percussion1
MUS_I_VT 2640Strings I1
MUS_I_VT 2641Strings II1
MUS_I_VT 2637Woodwinds I1
MUS_I_VT 2638Woodwinds II1
MUS_I_VT 2645Brass I1
MUS_I_VT 2646Brass II1
MUS_THRY 4226Instrumentation2
MUS_I_VT 3642Seminar in String Techniques1
or MUS_I_VT 3646 Marching Band Techniques
MUS_I_VT 3644Jazz Methods and Materials1
MUS_ENS 1841Instrumental Ensemble (marching band, band instrument majors only)1
Vocal Music: 1 hour (voice lessons or choir)

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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.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_EDUC 11001MUS_THRY 12212
MUS_THRY 12202MUS_THRY 12312
MUS_THRY 12302MUS_H_LI 13222
MUS_I_VT 16101MUS_I_VT 16111
MUS_APMS 24552MUS_APMS 24552
MUS_ENS 18421MUS_ENS 18421
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_GENL 10910
ENGLSH 10003MUSIC_NM 16121
SOCIOL 1000 (or Behavioral Science/Diversity Elective)3MATH 1050, 1100, or STAT 12003
 Humanities Elective3
 15 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ESC_PS 2010 or LTC 20403LTC 2040 or ESC_PS 20103
ESC_PS 2014 or LTC 20441LTC 2044 or ESC_PS 20141
MUS_THRY 22202MUS_THRY 22212
MUS_THRY 22302MUS_THRY 22312
MUS_H_LI 23072MUS_H_LI 23082
MUS_I_VT 26101MUS_I_VT 26111
MUS_APMS 24552MUS_APMS 24552
MUS_ENS 18421MUS_ENS 18411
MUS_I_VT 36701MUS_ENS 1842 (lab ensemble)1
MUS_I_VT 36721MUS_I_VT 36711
MUS_I_VT 36432MUS_I_VT 26312
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_GENL 10910
 18 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_EDUC 41403MUS_EDUC 4142W2
MUS_EDUC 41411MUS_EDUC 4143W1
MUS_THRY 42302SPC_ED 40203
MUS_I_VT 26332LTC 45603
MUS_APMS 34552MUS_I_VT 26352
MUS_ENS 18421MUS_APMS 34552
MUS_THRY 42202MUS_ENS 18421
American History or Political Science (State Law)3Biological Science3
MUS_APMS 1435 (piano or voice)1MUS_APMS 14351
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_GENL 10910
 17 18
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_EDUC 4144W3LTC 4971 (Elementary) Internship and Capstone 3-9
MUS_EDUC 4145W1LTC 4971 (Secondary) Internship and Capstone 3-9 
ED_LPA 40603(Total of 12 Hours for LTC 4971)12
STAT 1200 or ESC_PS 41703 
Physical Science w/lab3 
MUS_ENS 18421 
LTC 44603 
 17 12
Total Credits: 132

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.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_EDUC 11001MUS_THRY 12212
MUS_THRY 12202MUS_THRY 12312
MUS_THRY 12302MUS_H_LI 13222
MUS_I_VT 16101MUS_I_VT 16111
MUS_APMS 24552MUS_APMS 24552
MUS_ENS 1841 (Marching Mizzou)1MUS_ENS 18411
MUS_ENS 18411MUS_I_VT 2641 (or MUS_I_VT 2638 or MUS_I_VT 2646 )1
MUS_GENL 10910MATH 11003
ENGLSH 10003Humanities Elective3
SOCIOL 1000 (or Behavioral Science/Diversity Elective)3MUS_GENL 10910
 16 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ESC_PS 2010 or LTC 20403LTC 2040 or ESC_PS 20103
ESC_PS 2014 or LTC 20441LTC 2044 or ESC_PS 20141
MUS_THRY 22202MUS_THRY 22212
MUS_THRY 22302MUS_THRY 22312
MUS_H_LI 23072MUS_H_LI 23082
MUS_I_VT 26101MUS_I_VT 26111
MUS_APMS 24552MUS_APMS 24552
MUS_I_VT 2645 or 26371MUS_ENS 1841 (Lab Ensemble)1
STAT 1200 or ESC_PS 41703MUS_I_VT 2641 (or MUS_I_VT 2638 or MUS_I_VT 2646 )1
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_I_VT 26312
 MUS_GENL 10910
 17 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_EDUC 4142W2
MUS_EDUC 41403MUS_EDUC 4143W1
MUS_EDUC 41411MUS_I_VT 26361
MUS_ENS 18421MUS_THRY 42202
MUS_I_VT 26341SPC_ED 40203
MUS_APMS 34552MUS_APMS 34552
MUS_ENS 18411MUS_ENS 18411
MUS_THRY 42262MUS_I_VT 3642 or 36461-2
MUS_I_VT 26411Biological Science3
MUS_I_VT 26481MUS_GENL 10910
MUS_I_VT 2637 or 26451 
MUS_I_VT 36441 
American History or Political Science (state law)3 
 18 16-17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_EDUC 4144W3LTC 4971 (Elementary) Internship and Capstone 3-9 
MUS_EDUC 4145W1LTC 4971 (Secondary) Internship and Capstone 3-9 
ED_LPA 40603(Total of 12 Hours for LTC 4971)12
LTC 45603 
MUS_ENS 18411 
Physical Science w/lab3 
LTC 44603 
 17 12
Total Credits: 130-131

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.

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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/.

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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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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