Program: Music Education Program (BME) - University of Michigan - Flint

Apr 12, 2025

2025-2026 Catalog

www.umflint.edu/case/academic-departments/fine-performing-arts/

The Bachelor of Music Education (BME) is designed to meet the needs of future K-12 music teachers. Completion of the program requirements and passing the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification leads to certification to teach music in K-12 schools in Michigan.

A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in each course, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Music coursework, and a minimum GPA of 2.7 in the overall program. Throughout the program teacher education candidates will be assessed on dispositions a minimum of four times and complete a dispositions interview. Those who do not meet dispositional expectations may be required to fulfill a professional development plan and/or may be removed from the program. The BME, as a K-12 certification, has requirements that differ from secondary programs in other disciplines. In unusual circumstances, courses may be taken out of sequence with the consent of the Music Program.

Prerequisites

Admission to the Music Program. See https://www.umflint.edu/case/music for audition information.

Requirements

Discipline-Specific Requirements

A. Music Theory and Aural Harmony (18 credits)

MUS 141 - Music Theory I (3)
MUS 142 - Music Theory II (3)
MUS 143 - Aural Harmony I (2)
MUS 144 - Aural Harmony II (2)
MUS 241 - Music Theory III, Orchestration (3)
MUS 242 - Music Theory IV, Topics in Music Theory (3)
MUS 243 - Aural Harmony III (2)

B. Music History and Literature (12 credits)

MUS 261 - Music History I (3)
MUS 262 - Music History II (3)
MUS 361 - Seminar in Music History (3)
One from:
MUS 365 - Wind Literature (3)
MUS 369 - Choral Literature (3)

C. Performance (34 credits)

Applied Music (16 credits)

MUS 151 - Applied Music I (2)
MUS 152 - Applied Music II (2)
MUS 251 - Applied Music III (2)
MUS 252 - Applied Music IV (2)
MUS 351 - Applied Music V (2)
MUS 352 - Applied Music VI (2)
MUS 451 - Applied Music VII (2)
MUS 452 - Senior Performance-Applied Music VIII (2)
Concurrent attendance in performance class is required

Performance Ensembles (7 credits)

Students enrolled in Applied Music must enroll concurrently in the large ensemble in his/her applied performance area. Participation in other ensembles (Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Singers, etc.) is encouraged.

Secondary Instruments (7 credits)

Guitarists and vocalists are not required to take MUS 117 & MUS 126, respectively.

Conducting (4 credits)

MUS 371 - Conducting I (2)
MUS 372 - Conducting II (2)

Piano Proficiency Exam

Students must pass the departmental piano proficiency exam. Keyboard classes (MUS 129-MUS 132) are strongly recommended.

D. Additional Requirements (9-10 credits)

MUS 170 - Music Technology I (3)
MUS 226 - Music in World Cultures (3)
For instrumentalists:
MUS 383 - Techniques for Marching Bands (2)
MUS 388 - Methods & Materials for Beginning & Middle School Instrumental Music (2)
For vocalists:
MUS 366 - Diction for Singers (3)

E. Honors Requirements

For Honors Program students only, to be taken during the first semester of the junior year:

MUS 391 - Independent Study (1-3) , on music research methods, elected for 1 credit
in conjunction with two from:
MUS 361 - Seminar in Music History (3)
MUS 371 - Conducting I (2)
MUS 372 - Conducting II (2)

Professional Requirements

A. Education (20 credits)

PSY 100 - Principles of Psychology (3) , with a grade of C (2. 0) or better
IES 100 - Learning Sciences & Engagement (3)
IES 335 - Families, Communities and Partners (3) , with a grade of C (2. 0) or better
MUS 380 - Principles of Music Education (2)
MUS 381 - Teaching General Music, Grades K-8 (3)
MUS 346 - Methods and Materials for Teaching Secondary School Performance Classes (3)
EDR 445 - Disciplinary Literacies in Secondary Schools (3) , with a grade of C (2.0) or better

B. Student Teaching (12 credits)

IES 469 - Student Teaching (9)
IES 499 - Student Teaching Seminar (3)

Requirements for Recommendation for Teacher Certification

1. Completion of all BME coursework requirements, including General Education requirements and UM-Flint graduation requirements , with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Music coursework and a minimum GPA of 2.7 overall.

2. Exit interview with the TCP advisor, to include discussion of the completed Individual Major Portfolio and results of the Student Teaching Evaluation.

3. Successful completion of the MTTC Music Education subject area test.

4. Completion of all paperwork necessary for certification.

5. Prospective candidates should also study the section entitled Information for Teacher Certification.

Minimum Credits for the Degree: 121 credits

Honors Program

All bachelor-degree-seeking students with GPAs of 3.5 or higher are eligible to apply to the University of Michigan-Flint Honors Program . Please contact the Honors Program Manager or the Honors Program Director for further information.