The BFA in Music Education in K-12 Music prepares students to teach music in elementary and secondary schools and culminates in certification by the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Requirements

The Music Department course of study prepares students for recommendation for certification by the State Department of Public Instruction to teach and supervise music Early Childhood - Adolescence (EC-A or Wide Range = Birth to Age 21).

To obtain certification, a student must successfully audition and apply for admission to UW-Milwaukee and the Department of Music. For admission to the Teacher Certification Program, students must audition in the Music Education Area upon successful completion of MUS ED 350, which should be completed in the spring semester of their Sophomore year. Admission to the Music Education Program requires performance on a principal instrument/voice, piano, sight singing as well as requirements 1-4 below. A student seeking recommendation for teacher certification must successfully complete all of the following requirements:

  1. Pass OWC-A (English), QL-A (Math) and Communications Course with a C or better to fulfill the Basic Skills requirement;
  2. Fulfill all degree requirements, including passing all MUS ED specific courses with a C or better;
  3. Show personal qualities giving promise of success as a teacher of music and as a leader in music activities;
  4. Achieve and maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA;
  5. Fulfill the Requirements for Human Relations and Act 31;
  6. Demonstrate teaching competency in their area of expertise through the use of a teaching portfolio (see explanation under Special Core Curriculum Requirements);
  7. Meet Content Competency through a 3.0 GPA on specific courses or the Praxis II exam;
  8. Complete student teaching successfully; and
  9. Successfully submit a passing DPI e-portfolio.

Music Education BFA University Core

General Education Requirements 1
Competencies
Oral and Written Communication – Part A and Part B 2,3
Quantitative Literacy (QL) – Part A and Part B 2,3
Foreign Language 2
Distribution Requirements 1
Humanities6
Natural Sciences (Must include one lab)6
Social Sciences6
Cultural Diversity 2
School of Education Requirements9
Electives
Electives Outside Peck School of the Arts6
Electives in Peck School of the Arts 412
Total Credits45
1

See General Education Requirements for more information.

2

Credits may be utilized in required curriculum areas.

3

OWC Part A and QL Part A should be completed within the first two semesters of pursuing a Music program.

4

9 credits are required in 3 of the 4 other departments in PSOA, outside of the student's discipline: Art and Design, Dance, Music, Theatre, or Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres. One elective must be three credits of MUSIC 310.

Music Education BFA Requirements

The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts is 130. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, foreign language, and chemistry may need additional credits.

Music Department Proficiencies
Theory Fundamentals
Piano Proficiency or MusPerf 1
Class Voice Level I
Music Theory
MUSIC 123Aural Theory I1
MUSIC 124Aural Theory II1
MUSIC 127Materials of Theory I2
MUSIC 128Materials of Theory II3
MUSIC 225Materials of Theory III3
MUSIC 226Aural Theory III1
MUSIC 421Materials of Theory IV3
Music History
MUSIC 106Foundations of Music3
MUSIC 211General History of Western Music I3
MUSIC 212General History of Western Music II3
School of Education Requirements
ED PSY 330Introduction to Learning and Development3
CURRINS 545Reading in the Content Areas: Middle, Junior, and Senior High School3
Choose one:3
The Exceptional Individual
Inclusion for Secondary Educators: Humanities, the Arts, Foreign Language
Survey of Exceptional Education
Child, Learner, Disabilities
School of Education Student Teaching
MUS ED 477Student Teaching in Music - Elementary Level5
MUS ED 478Student Teaching in Music - Secondary Level4
MUS ED 479Seminar in Student Teaching1
Music Education BFA Core
Choose one:
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (SS)
Public Speaking (HU)
MUS ED 350Introduction to Teaching Music2
MUS ED 352Technology in Music Education2
MUS ED 460Pedagogy and Practice for Teaching General Music K-124
MUS ED 462Teaching Secondary Choral Music3
MUS ED 463Teaching Instrumental Music3
Requirements
Basic Skills Competency 5
Human Relations 6
Content Competency 7
Act 31 8
American Indian Peoples of Wisconsin
Western Great Lakes American Indian Community Life of the Past
North American Indian History Since 1887
Total Credits56
5

Must be completed to apply for admission to Mus Ed. A 2.75 cum GPA is also required for admission to Mus Ed and state licensure.

6

Should be completed prior to Student Teaching.

7

Required to apply for Student Teaching.

8

Required to apply for licensure. Also meets the following GER requirements: cultural diversity and social science. Learn more about General Education Requirements here.

EC-A K-12 Music Requirements

Principal Instrument
7 semesters of MusPerf 2XX
Secondary Music Requirement:
One semester of 1XX lessons on secondary area 91
MUS ED 331Keyboard Skills for Music Educators I1
MUS ED 332Keyboard Skills for Music Educators II1
Performing Ensemble Requirements
Complete 5 semesters on principal instrument, 1 semester on a secondary instrument, and 1 semester of a small/chamber ensemble based on ensemble assignments, set at the beginning of each semester:
Large Ensembles
Symphony Band
Wind Ensemble
Symphony Orchestra
Alta Voce Singers
Alta Voce Singers
Kameraden Chorus
Bella Voce
Concert Chorale
University Community Orchestra
University Community Band
Small/Chamber Ensembles
Jazz Ensemble
Chamber Ensemble - Mixed
Early Music Ensemble
Opera Theatre
Popular Music Ensemble (or ensemble comprised of a single instrument, i.e. saxophone ensemble)
Music Education
MUSIC 353Conducting2
MUSIC 354Instrumental Conducting2
or MUSIC 357 Choral Conducting
Pedagogy and Techniques
MUSPERF 315Brass Pedagogy and Techniques3
MUSPERF 316String Pedagogy and Techniques3
MUSPERF 317Woodwind Pedagogy and Techniques3
MUSPERF 318Percussion Pedagogy and Techniques2
MUSIC 444Vocal Pedagogy I2
MUSIC 245Basic and Italian Lyric Diction1
MUSIC 246German and French Lyric Diction1
MUS ED 351Folk Instrument and Popular Instrument Pedagogy and Technique2
Total Credits24
9

Instrumentalists should take voice, vocalists should take an instrument other than piano or guitar. Instrumentalists need to complete this requirement before taking MUSIC 444.

Music Education BFA Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a BFA in Music Education will be able to: 

  • recognize and distinguish music from all periods of European art music history, and to recognize and distinguish the music from a variety of other world cultures and traditions, based on musical and stylistic features.  
  • will be able to recognize assumptions, concepts, models, and various methods in musicological and ethnomusicological work and in their own thinking, and will be able to choose the most appropriate analytical tools and concepts to examine specific musics. 
  • to interpret, analyze, critique, and reflect on art music from different critical perspectives and aesthetic viewpoints. 
  • to express ideas about music in written form demonstrating a mastery of factual knowledge, bibliographic resources, analytical method, critical thinking, and the ability to construct a coherent and well-organized argument. 
  • to perform solo instrumental or vocal repertoire, chamber music, and large ensemble music in public, in a practical demonstration of their understanding of period or cultural aesthetic ideals. 
  • meet state standards for music teacher certification in music.
  • will be able to apply their knowledge of music (theory, history and practice) and childhood development to explain music concepts to students at different stages of learning (early childhood, elementary through high school). 
  • use various modes of pedagogy including singing, listening, moving, creating, and playing as demonstrated through instructional approaches. 
  • recognize student differences (cultural, linguistic, physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and affective) and develop strategies for meeting individual student needs, including alternative exercises/assignments/tasks for these students as part of lesson planning. 

Degree Requirements

All Music curricula for the BFA require 125-130 credits, distributed as follows: music courses as specified in each curriculum: 75-80 credits; core curriculum: 45 credits; general electives: 0-9 credits. The BA in Music requires 120 credits, distributed as follows: music courses, 48 credits; core curriculum, 45 credits; general electives, 27 credits.

Performance Ensemble Requirement

All Music majors are required to participate in performing organizations during the course of their study. All Performance and Music Education majors must be registered in an approved major performing organization concurrent with each semester of private study. The director of bands, the director of choral activities, and the director of orchestras make ensemble assignments at the beginning of each semester. Only one approved ensemble credit per semester can apply toward degree requirements. For the purpose of fulfilling the Performance Ensemble requirement, the Department of Music recognizes the following approved major performing Ensembles: University Advanced Women’s Choir, Concert Chorale, Women’s Chorus, University Men’s Chorus, University Band, Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra, and University Community Orchestra. (Other performance ensembles may be approved in certain degree programs; see individual degree programs below for specific requirements in each area.)

Performance Ensemble Requirement for Transfer Students

Credits from an accredited college/university for performing organizations may be granted as follows:

  • All transfer students to UWM, regardless of entry level, must take at least two semesters of an approved major performing organization. The performing organization must conform to the individual degree requirements: instrumentalists take band or orchestra, vocalists take choral ensembles;
  • Entering sophomores with 30 or more earned credits may only transfer up to two completed semesters of an approved performing organization from another university; and
  • Entering juniors with 60 or more earned credits may only transfer up to four completed semesters of an approved performing organization from another university.

Recital Attendance and Music Convocation Requirements

All Music majors must attend weekly Music Convocation meetings for a minimum of five semesters. All students entering the Music Department as freshmen are required to take one semester of MUSIC 106 during their freshman year.

All Music majors, excluding transfer students and second degree candidates, must earn 80 recital attendance credits for graduation. This requirement may be met by attending:

  • Campus recitals (one attendance credit per recital),
  • Weekly departmental Music Convocation (five attendance credits per semester), and
  • Off-campus recitals (one attendance credit per recital to a maximum of three per semester).

Transfer students and second degree candidates must earn 10 recital credits (including weekly Music Convocation) for each semester on the UWM campus, to a total of 80, or until the completion of the degree.

Music Performance Course Enrollment Requirements

The study of music performance in private lessons, master classes, and seminars is governed by four special conditions:

  • Performance courses (lessons) cannot be dropped after the second week of each semester;
  • Eligibility for undergraduate Music major private lessons requires a minimum of 4 credits in Music Department courses. Only one ensemble credit can be applied to the 4-credit minimum;
  • All Music majors are required to enroll in an approved ensemble concurrent with each semester of Performance lessons; and
  • Students enrolled in Music Performance lessons at the 200 level or above must enroll in the appropriate Performance Master Class. Music Education Majors are not required to take Performance Master Class, but may enroll in Performance Master Class as music electives.

Music Theory and History Requirements

The Music Theory core comprises a three-semester sequence of Materials of Theory concurrently with three semesters of Aural Theory. This is followed by a semester of Form Analysis. The Music History core comprises a three-semester sequence of the General History of Western Music. Additional Music Theory and Music History courses are required in all Music degree programs. See individual programs for details.

Laptop Requirement

Preparing for a future defined by digital technology is an important step in developing artists. Our digitally integrated curriculum helps you achieve a professional level with leading art-related software and practices.

Laptop ownership is strongly recommended for all undergraduates. However, it’s required for the programs below. For more information please visit the Peck School of the Arts admission page

  • Art & Design (BA and BFA Programs)
  • Dance (BA and BFA Programs) 
  • Film, Video, Animation & New Genres (BA and BFA Programs)
  • Music (Composition & Technology Program)
  • Theatre (BFA Production and BA Theatre Education Programs)

Advising

Location: Theatre 120
Hours: M–Th 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Fri. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed on university holidays)
Contact: 414-229-4763 | Contact Form 

Academic advising is an important aspect of long-term academic success. At the Peck School of the Arts, we offer professional advising in the undergraduate disciplines of art, dance, film, music and theatre.

Our advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist them in areas such as: degree requirements, major options, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and procedures, and more.

For more information please visit the Peck School of the Arts advising and student services page

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.

High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.

Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.

Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.

College of the Arts and Architecture Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.