Music Teaching – Instrumental Emphasis, Comprehensive Major

 Music Teaching – Instrumental Emphasis, Comprehensive Major (B.M.E.)

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2024-2025 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year. 
To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Sample Plan for Fall Student Teaching

FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
MUSI 141Theory Written I3
MUSI 142Theory Aural I1
MUSI 1XX - Applied Major instrument1
MUSI 183Marching Band1
MUSI 106Class Piano (If necessary)2
WRIT 1XX - Blugold Sem Read Writ (LE-S1)5
Math (LE-S2) or LE-K1 Lab4
TOTAL17
SECOND SEMESTER
MUSI 146Theory Written II3
MUSI 147Theory Aural II1
MUSI 1XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI 1XX - Ensemble (LE-S3)1
MUSI 108Advanced Class Piano (If necessary)2
Math (LE-S2) or LE-K1 Lab4
LE Option **3
LE Option **3
TOTAL18
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
MUSI 246Theory Written III3
MUSI 247Theory Aural III1
MUSI 227Music History & Society I3
MUSI 1XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI 1XX - Ensemble1
MUSI 205Vocal Techniques2
MUSI 208Woodwind Techniques1
LE Option - SEIP 200 recommended (LE-R3)3
MUED 211Introduction to Music Education1
ES 212Exploring Schooling K-122-3
TOTAL18
SECOND SEMESTER
MUSI 248Theory Written IV3
MUSI 249Theory Aural IV1
MUSI 229Music History & Society II3
MUSI 1XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI 1XX - Ensemble1
MUSI 350Conducting2
LE Option **3
MUED 300Adaptive Music2
MUSI 198/MUSI 202 - Techniques (Perc/Brass)2
TOTAL18
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
MUSI 3XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI XXX - Small Ensemble1
MUSI 196/MUSI 210 - Techniques (String/Woodwind)2
MUSI 225Global Traditions in Music (LE-K4, LE-R2)3
MUED 310Principles, Practices, and Practicum in General Music PreK-5 (LE-I1)2
MUED 401Instrumental Literature and Conducting3
ES 385Social Foundations: Human Relations (LE-R1 DDIV)3
PSYC 260Educational Psychology (LE-K2)3
TOTAL18
SECOND SEMESTER
MUSI 3XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI 3XX - Ensemble1
MUSI 278Functional Piano1
MUED 411Secondary Instrumental Teaching Methods3
ES 490Historical, Legal, and Philosophical Foundations of Education3
Secondary Education Block:
ES 313Curriculum, Instructional Methods, and Disciplinary Literacies in Grades K-123
ES 314Collaboration, Engagement, and Assessment in Grades K-123
MUED 318Music as Content in Schools2
TOTAL17
If required - take PRAXIS II Exam
Apply to Program
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
ES 497Field Experience Seminar2
MUED 487Student Teaching in Music10
or MUED 488 Internship Teaching in Music
TOTAL12
SECOND SEMESTER
MUSI 3XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI 3XX - Ensemble1
MUSI 404Music History Seminar3
LE Option **3
LE Option **3
LE Option **3
LE Option **3
TOTAL17

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

**

It is highly recommended to take courses that fulfill two LE requirements simultaneously for efficiency, although it is not required. This will reduce credits to degree. This degree plan assumes a minimum of one course taken fulfilling two LE requirements simultaneously.


Sample Plan for Spring Student Teaching

FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
MUSI 141Theory Written I3
MUSI 142Theory Aural I1
MUSI 1XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI 183Marching Band (LE-S3)1
MUSI 106Class Piano (If necessary)2
WRIT 1XX - Blugold Sem Read Write (LE-S1)5
Math (LE-S2) or LE-K1 Lab4
TOTAL17
SECOND SEMESTER
MUSI 146Theory Written II3
MUSI 147Theory Aural II1
MUSI 1XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI 1XX - Ensemble (LE-S3)
MUSI 108Advanced Class Piano (If necessary)2
Math (LE-S2) or LE-K1 Lab4
LE Option **3
LE Option **3
TOTAL18
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
MUSI 246Theory Written III3
MUSI 247Theory Aural III1
MUSI 227Music History & Society I3
MUSI 1XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI 1XX - Ensemble1
MUSI 205Vocal Techniques2
MUSI 208Woodwind Techniques1
LE Option **3
LE Option **3
TOTAL18
SECOND SEMESTER
MUSI 248Theory Written IV3
MUSI 249Theory Aural IV1
MUSI 1XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI 1XX - Ensemble1
MUSI 229Music History & Society II3
MUSI 350Conducting2
PSYC 260Educational Psychology (LE-K2)3
MUED 211Introduction to Music Education1
ES 212Exploring Schooling K-122-3
MUSI 278Functional Piano1
TOTAL18
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
MUSI 3XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI XXX - Small Ensemble1
MUSI 196/MUSI 210 - Techniques (String/Woodwind)2
MUSI 225Global Traditions in Music (LE-K4, LE-R2)3
MUED 310Principles, Practices, and Practicum in General Music PreK-5 (LE-I1)2
LE Option **3
LE Option **3
LE Option - SEIP 200 recommended (LE-R3)3
TOTAL18
SECOND SEMESTER
MUSI 3XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI 198/MUSI 202 - Techniques (Percussion/Brass)
MUSI 3XX - Ensemble1
MUSI 404Music History Seminar3
MUED 300Adaptive Music2
MUED 411Secondary Instrumental Teaching Methods3
ES 385Social Foundations: Human Relations (LE-R1 DDIV)3
LE Option **3
TOTAL18
If required - take PRAXIS II Exam
Apply to Program
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
MUSI 3XX - Applied Major Instrument1
MUSI 3XX - Ensemble1
MUED 401Instrumental Literature and Conducting3
ES 490Historical, Legal, and Philosophical Foundations of Education3
Secondary Education Block:
ES 313Curriculum, Instructional Methods, and Disciplinary Literacies in Grades K-123
ES 314Collaboration, Engagement, and Assessment in Grades K-123
MUED 318Music as Content in Schools2
TOTAL16
SECOND SEMESTER
ES 497Field Experience Seminar (LE-S3, LE-I1)2
MUED 487Student Teaching in Music10
or MUED 488 Internship Teaching in Music
TOTAL12

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

**

It is highly recommended to take courses that fulfill two LE requirements simultaneously for efficiency, although it is not required. This will reduce credits to degree. This degree plan assumes a minimum of one course taken fulfilling two LE requirements simultaneously.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs) The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or  Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

  • All students are required to participate in Student Teaching in the final semester of the program.
  • Students are encouraged to participate in an immersion program related to education either through the department or college during the final two years of the program.
  • Faculty-Student Research Projects are encouraged after the first year of the program.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to participate in “Quest,” the Integrated Learning Project specifically created for Music and Theatre Arts students. See Music and Theatre Arts Homepage for more information.

Course Suggestions

  • See catalogue for details of ensemble requirement.
  • Piano Proficiency Exam must be passed prior to MUSI 278, MUSI 350, and MUED 310.
  • Required techniques courses are MUSI 196 - Strings, MUSI 198 - Percussion, MUSI 202 - Brass, MUSI 205 - Voice (2 cr.), MUSI 208 – Woodwinds (Single Reed and Flute), MUSI 210 – Woodwinds (Double Reeds), and MUSI 278 – Functional Piano.
  • See catalogue for foreign language competency requirement.
  • BME students are considered pre-education until accepted into College of Education and Human Sciences.
  • It is recommended that Wind and Percussion majors enroll in Marching Band for a minimum of two semesters.
  • Secondary Block Courses must be taken concurrently.

Application to Major

Admittance to major is through audition to the Music Program and admittance to the College of Education and Human Sciences before your final year of the program.

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.