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Share Your Love of Music
In the BM with a concentration in Music Education, you will learn how to teach music from professors who have extensive classroom experience. This degree will qualify you for licensure for ages three through grade 12 in Ohio and many other states.
You will be well-prepared, with 100 hours of field experiences in urban, suburban, and rural schools before you student-teach, and you will receive close mentoring and personal attention as you pursue your passion for music education.
Music Education Curriculum and Courses
Coursework includes one-on-one applied music lessons, ensemble performance, and courses in music theory and music history. Additionally, the curriculum includes courses designed to prepare you for a career as a teacher. Culminating experiences in the senior year include a solo recital and the student-teaching placement.
- MUS 101 Theory of Music 1
- MUS 175 Introduction to Music Education
- MUS 212 History of Western Music
- MUS 352 Conducting 1
- MUS 475 Senior Practicum in Music Education
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As a university of high national distinction, Miami’s music education program is unique in that:
- Clinical experiences in public schools begin in the first year of study and are built upon sequentially, facilitating an in-depth and participatory knowledge base that few programs offer. Teaching experiences throughout the four years include an analysis of the components of effective teaching and reflective teaching practice.
- We have a consistently high job placement rate; our program includes a capstone course that prepares students for the job application and interview process.
- Students in music education are expected to meet high standards in musicianship, because excellent musicianship is an essential element of quality music teaching.
- Our curriculum is comprehensive, balanced, and sequential; it includes a liberal arts background, resulting in a well-rounded education.
- Individual mentoring is a hallmark of our program, where students can pursue their musical and pedagogical interests, in our ideal music class sizes.
- Enhanced connections are made throughout Ohio and the nation via our extensive music education alumni network; our graduates are highly regarded across the nation.
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Regardless of concentration, students audition and study a primary instrument. These include:
- Basson
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Double Bass
- Euphonium
- Flute
- Harp
- Horn
- Oboe
- Percussion
- Piano
- Saxophone
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Viola
- Violin
- Voice
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Updated 2/25
First Year: Fall Semester/Semester 1
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement* 0 MUS 101 Theory of Music I 3 MUS 151 Aural Skills I 1 MUS 142 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 160 Functional Piano (1) MUS 175 Introduction to Music Education 3 MUS 113 Choral Practicum 1 MUS 235 Lyric Diction I 2 — MP fulfilling course or Multicultural Perspectives in Music MUS 185 (MP PA4B + SI) [Fall only] if no MUS 186 3 — Total 16(17) First Year: Spring Semester/Semester 2
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 102 Theory of Music II 3 MUS 152 Aural Skills II 1 MUS 142 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 161 Functional Piano (1) MUS 218 Beginning Guitar 1 MUS 112 Lab Choir 0 EDP 201 Human Development & Learning in Social & Educational Contexts (MP PA2A + SI)] 3 ENG 111 Composition and Rhetoric (MP PA1B) 3 — MP fulfilling course or Global Playlists MUS186
(MP PA4C + SI) [Spring only] if no MUS1853 Total 17(18) Second Year: Fall Semester/Semester 3
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 201 Theory of Music III 3 MUS 251 Aural Skills III 1 MUS 242 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 260 Functional Piano (1) MUS 113 Choral Practicum 1 — MP fulfilling course+ 3 — MP fulfilling course 3 — Total 14(15) Second Year: Spring Semester/Semester 4
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 202 Theory of Music IV 3 MUS 252 Aural Skills IV 1 MUS 242 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 261 Functional Piano 1 MUS 112 Lab Choir 0 MUS 221 Music Technologies [Spring only] 3 EDL 204 Sociocultural Studies in Education(MP PA3B) 3 — MP fulfilling course 3 — Total 17 Third Year: Fall Semester/Semester 5
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 211 History of Western Music (MP PA3A) 3 MUS 342 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 352 Conducting I 2 MUS 356
/
MUS 361
MUS 456Secondary General Music Techniques [odd-numbered Fall only]
Choral Literature [even-numbered Fall only] Vocal Pedagogy [even-numbered Fall only]2
/
1
2— MP fulfilling course 3 — MP fulfilling course 3 — Total 16/17 Third Year: Spring Semester/Semester 6
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 212 History of Western Music 3 MUS 342 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 112 Lab Choir 0 MUS 354 Conducting II 2 MUS 355 General Music Teaching Techniques –
Early Childhood and Elementary3 — MP fulfilling course 3 — MP fulfilling course 3 — Total 17 Fourth Year: Fall Semester/Semester 7
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 442 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 475 Senior Practicum in Music Education (GMP Capstone) 3 EDP 256 Psychology of the Exceptional Learner (MP PA2A) 3 TCE 446 Literacy course (required for licensure) 3 MUS 356
/
MUS 361
MUS 456Secondary General Music Techniques [odd-numbered Fall only]
Choral Literature [even-numbered Fall only] Vocal Pedagogy [even-numbered Fall only]2
/
1
2— Senior Half Recital (no registration) 0 — Total 14/15 Fourth Year: Spring Semester/Semester 8
Course Title Credits MUS 419 Supervised Teaching in Music 12 — Total 12 — Total Hours: 124 *MUS 140 Recital Attendance requires seven semesters of registration
+This MP course must fulfill one Perspectives Area and Signature Inquiry.
Functional Piano requirement: Completion of MUS 261 or proficiency examination required.
^Performance requirement: Half recital in year 4, semester 7 while registered for 400-level Applied Music.
Major instrument requirement: Guitar: MUS 454 Guitar Repertory and Pedagogy (2)
Minor applied requirement: An applied major in piano, guitar, or band/orchestral instrument is required to take four hours of class or private voice in addition to major applied study.
Large Music Ensemble requirement: Enroll in a large choral ensemble each semester. The large choral ensembles are: MUS 100B Men’s Glee Club, MUS 100D Choraliers, and MUS 100Q Chamber Singers. Entrance to each group is by audition. When meeting this requirement, students must complete at least two semesters in a mixed (SATB) ensemble (i.e., Chamber Singers (MUS 100).
Piano or guitar majors must enroll as a singer in choral ensembles at least three semesters.
Background Check and Fingerprint are required once a year for all music education majors.
Admission to sophomore courses in music education contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirements: minimum overall GPA of 2.25 and minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester).
Admission to junior courses in music education contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirements: minimum overall GPA of 2.25 and minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester).
Admission to student teaching contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirement minimum overall GPA of 2.25, minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester); completion of functional piano requirement; and completion of MUS 113, MUS 352, MUS 354, MUS 355, and MUS 356.
Teacher licensure in Ohio and most other states requires completion of a baccalaureate teacher licensure program, passing a licensure examination, and recommendation by the accrediting institution. It is suggested students complete licensure exams (Professional Knowledge: OAE Multi-Age/004 and OAE Music/032) prior to graduation. To be recommended for licensure, teacher candidates must also successfully complete the Educational Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) during their student teaching. Once completed, teacher candidates should apply for licensure. Details are available in McGuffey Hall 202. All costs associated with licensure are the responsibility of the applicant.
It is the responsibility of the student to see that all university requirements are fulfilled – please refer to the General Bulletin.
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Updated 2/25
First Year: Fall Semester/Semester 1
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement* 0 MUS 101 Theory of Music I 3 MUS 151 Aural Skills I 1 MUS 142 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 160 Functional Piano (1) MUS 175 Introduction to Music Education 3 ENG 111 Composition and Rhetoric (MP PA1B) 3 — MP fulfilling course or Multicultural Perspectives
in Music MUS 185 (MP PA4B + SI) [Fall only] if no
MUS 1863 — Total 16 (17) First Year: Spring Semester/Semester 2
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 102 Theory of Music II 3 MUS 152 Aural Skills II 1 MUS 142 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 161 Functional Piano (1) MUS 231 Class Instruments: Brass 1 — MP fulfilling course or Global Playlists MUS 186
(MP PA4C + SI) [Spring only] if no MUS 1853 — MP fulfilling course 3 — MP fulfilling course 3 — Total 17(18) Second Year: Fall Semester/Semester 3
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 201 Theory of Music III 3 MUS 251 Aural Skills III 1 MUS 242 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 260 Functional Piano (1) MUS 237 Class Voice for Instrumental Majors 1 MUS 233 Class Instruments: Percussion 1 1 MUS 358 Marching Band Techniques 2 2 EDP 201 Human Development and Learning in Social and Educational Contexts (MP PA2A + SI)] 3 — MP fulfilling course 3 — Total 17(18) Second Year: Spring Semester/Semester 4
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 202 Theory of Music IV 3 MUS 252 Aural Skills IV 1 MUS 242 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 261 Functional Piano (1) MUS 111 Lab Band 0 MUS 232 Class Instruments: Woodwinds 1 MUS 234 Class Instruments: Strings 1 MUS 221 Music Technologies [Spring only] 3 EDL 204 Sociocultural Studies in Education (MP PA3B) 3 — Total 16 Third Year: Fall Semester/Semester 5
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 211 History of Western Music 3 MUS 342 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 352 Conducting I 2 MUS 357 Beginning Instrumental Methods 2 — MP fulfilling course+ 3 — MP fulfilling course 3 — Total 17 Third Year: Spring Semester/Semester 6
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 212 History of Western Music 3 MUS 342 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 111 Lab Band 0 MUS 354 Conducting II 2 MUS 345 General Music Teaching Techniques —
Early Childhood and Elementary 31 MUS 359 Instrumental Methods —
Elementary and Secondary3 — MP fulfilling course 3 — Total 15 Fourth Year: Fall Semester/Semester 7
Course Title Credits MUS 140 Recital Attendance Requirement 0 MUS 442 Applied Music 2 MUS 100 Large Music Ensemble 1 MUS 475 Senior Practicum in Music Education (MP Capstone) 3 EDP 256 Psychology of the Exceptional Learner (MP PA2A 3 TCE 446 Literacy course (required for licensure) 3 — (MP Fulfilling Course) – only if PA & SI do not
double dip for final 3hrs of SI(3) — Senior Half Recital (no registration) 0 — Total 12 (15) Fourth Year: Spring Semester/Semester 8
Course Title Credits MUS 419 Supervised Teaching in Music 12 — Total 12 — Total Hours: 124 *MUS 140 Recital Attendance requires seven semesters of registration
1 Percussion majors substitute 1 credit-hour music elective course for MUS 233.
2 String instrument majors substitute MUS 433 String Instrument Pedagogy [even-numbered Fall semesters] (1) for MUS 358. Guitar instrument majors substitute MUS 454 Guitar Repertory and Pedagogy (2) for MUS 358.
Functional Piano requirement: Completion of MUS 261 or proficiency examination required.
+This MP course must fulfill one Perspectives Area and Signature Inquiry
3 Instrumental majors typically register for MUS 345 (which consists of the first seven weeks of MUS 355 General Music Teaching Techniques – Elementary (3)). Instrumental track students who plan to student teach in elementary general music are advised to take MUS 355. It is recommended that instrumental track students also take MUS 356 Secondary General Music Techniques (2).
^Performance requirement: Half recital in year 4, semester 7 while registered for 400-level Applied Music.
Large Music Ensemble requirement: Enroll in a large instrumental ensemble, in one’s primary performance medium, each semester. The large instrumental ensembles include: MUS 100C Symphony Orchestra, MUS 100E Marching Band, MUS 100F Symphony Band, and MUS 100G Wind Ensemble. Entrance to each group is by audition. Pianists may fulfill the ensemble requirement through participation in a large instrumental ensemble, a large vocal ensemble, accompanying (MUS 110/120), or chamber music as a pianist. (MUS 110/120 fulfills either accompanying requirement or large ensemble requirement in a single semester, but not both). Guitarists may fulfill the ensemble requirement through enrollment in a vocal ensemble, an instrumental ensemble, or chamber music as a guitarist.
Marching Band requirement: Wind and percussion majors must participate two semesters.
Minor applied requirement: An applied major in piano or guitar is required to take four hours of private lessons in band or orchestral instrument in addition to major applied study.
Background Check and Fingerprints are required once a year for all music education majors.
Admission to sophomore courses in music education contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirements: minimum overall GPA of 2.25 and minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester).
Admission to junior courses in music education contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirements: minimum overall GPA of 2.25 and minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester).
Admission to student teaching contingent upon fulfillment of the following requirement minimum overall GPA of 2.25, minimum GPA of 2.8 in all music courses (including a maximum of one ensemble per semester); completion of functional piano requirement; and completion of MUS 352, MUS 354, MUS 358 (except for string instrument and guitar majors), and MUS 359.
Teacher licensure in Ohio and most other states requires completion of a baccalaureate teacher licensure program, passing a licensure examination, and recommendation by the accrediting institution. It is suggested students complete licensure exams (Professional Knowledge: OAE Multi-Age/004 and OAE Music/032) prior to graduation. To be recommended for licensure, teacher candidates must also successfully complete the Educational Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) during their student teaching. Once completed, teacher candidates should apply for licensure. Details are available in McGuffey Hall 202. All costs associated with licensure are the responsibility of the applicant.
It is the responsibility of the student to see that all university requirements are fulfilled — please refer to the General Bulletin.
Additional Opportunities
At Miami, Music Education majors develop their skills both inside and outside the classroom.
Ensembles
Music Education majors participate in music ensembles in each semester of residence. Vocalists choose from mixed choir, women’s choir, or Men’s Glee Club. Instrumentalists perform in Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, or Symphony Band.
Field Experiences
As a Music Education major, you’ll spend over 100 hours in public schools, prior to your student teaching placement. Here, you’ll gain valuable experience working with current teachers in a variety of settings, guided by your Miami professor.
Enrich Your Experience
There’s so much to explore and do, beyond your curricular requirements. Sing in the Opera, Compete in Concerto Competition. Play in the Jazz Ensemble, or the Steel Band. Find what sparks your interest, and take advantage of Miami’s diverse opportunities.
Facts and Stats
Your college experience here will be one of the most exciting times of your life. To make sure of this, we’ll provide you with a powerful support system.
First-to-second year retention
Miami University Data
Among Public Universities in the United States for Four-Year Graduation Rate
OIRE
Of 2021 CCA graduates employed or pursuing advanced degrees within six months of graduation
Miami University Data
Admission and Audition Requirements
To pursue a music degree, you must apply both to Miami University and to the Department of Music. These are separate processes, but you may complete them concurrently—no need to wait for a University admission decision before applying to the Department.
Contact Us
Benjamin Smolder, M.M.
Interim Chair and Associate Professor
Department of Music
Presser Hall 204
501 S. Patterson Ave.,
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-6009
[email protected]