Program Learning Goals:
Upon graduation in the K-12 Music Education Emphasis, students will be able to demonstrate:
● Proficient performing on an instrument and/or singing as assessed in private lessons, ensemble participation, semester juries in front of music faculty, and/or solo recital performances.
● Knowledge of Music Theory as it applies to traditional and contemporary music creatives as assessed during the music theory sequence of required courses.
● Aural Skills as they apply to traditional and contemporary music creatives as assessed during the ear training sequence of required courses.
● Knowledge and implementation of Music Technology as assessed during required music technology coursework.
● Skill and interpretation in Conducting as assessed during required conducting coursework.
● Knowledge of Music History as assessed during required music history coursework.
● Knowledge and practice in music education pedagogy for public schools as demonstrated in required methods courses, domain-specific pedagogy courses, and Education department courses.
Program Requirements
The Music Education program prepares students for the State of Colorado License in Music Education. A minimum of 53 MUS credits are required, including the 22-credit Musicianship Core, the 17-credit Performance Curriculum, and the 14-credit Music Education Curriculum. The student must also fulfill the requirements of the K-12 Music Licensure Program (see description under Education) to qualify for the Colorado License in Music Education. Please contact the Chair of the Department of Music or the Director of the Teacher Education Program for required course work in Education.
A minimum grade of “C-” is required in all MUS courses required for the major.
Concert and Convocation Attendance
All Music majors must take the zero-credit MUS 000 Concert and Convocation Attendance each semester in residence. Six semesters of MUS 000 Concert and Convocation Attendance with a grade of “satisfactory” are required prior to graduation.
Piano Proficiency
All music education students must pass a piano proficiency exam prior to graduation. The two-semester sequence of MUS 173 Piano class and MUS 174 Piano Class may be taken for elective credits to prepare for the exam. Students with sufficient piano background may prepare for the exam independently. Please contact the Music Program for exact requirements.
Music Theory
Students must complete the music theory sequence in order to graduate. The course MUS 100 Fundamentals of Music (GT-AH1) serves as a prerequisite, “primer” class for Theory of Music I. Those with sufficient incoming music theory ability as assessed by the faculty may bypass MUS 100.
Musicianship Core
The 22-credit musicianship core is required of music education students.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 128 | Theory of Music Laboratory I | 1 |
| MUS 129 | Theory of Music I | 3 |
| MUS 130 | Theory of Music Laboratory II | 1 |
| MUS 131 | Theory of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 253 | Theory of Music Laboratory III | 1 |
| MUS 254 | Theory of Music III | 3 |
| MUS 340 | Theory of Music Lab IV | 1 |
| MUS 341 | Theory of Music IV | 3 |
| MUS 352 | History of Music I: Ancient to Baroque | 3 |
| MUS 353 | History of Music II: Classical to Modern | 3 |
| Total Credits | 22 | |
Performance Curriculum
The 17-credit Performance Curriculum is required of music education students. Students should take one large ensemble, one small ensemble, and private lessons each semester during their first three years. These courses may be repeated. Starting in their third year, students should enroll in 300-level ensembles and lessons. In their third year, the student should present a recital or project.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Six credits from Large Ensembles | 6 | |
| Orchestra | ||
or MUS 301 | Orchestra | |
| Symphonic Band | ||
or MUS 302 | Symphonic Band | |
| Concert Choir | ||
or MUS 304 | Concert Choir | |
| Three credits from Small Ensembles | 3 | |
| Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | ||
or MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | |
| Six credits of Private Lessons | 6 | |
| Private Lessons (30 min) | ||
| MUS 400 | Student Recital or Project | 2 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
Music Education Curriculum
The 14-credit music education curriculum prepares students for a career in music teaching in the public schools.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 212 | Introduction to Music Technology | 1 |
| MUS 213 | Woodwind Methods (with laboratory) | 1 |
| MUS 214 | Brass Methods (with laboratory) | 1 |
| MUS 215 | String Methods (with laboratory) | 1 |
| MUS 216 | Percussion Methods (with laboratory) | 1 |
| MUS 217 | Voice Methods | 1 |
| MUS 250 | Beginning Conducting: Choral and Instrumental | 2 |
| MUS 350 | Advanced Conducting: Choral and Instrumental | 2 |
| MUS 360 | Teaching General Music in Elementary Schools | 2 |
| MUS 365 | Teaching Music in Secondary Schools | 2 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
The student must also fulfill the requirements of the K-12 Music Licensure Program (see description under Education) to qualify for the Colorado License in Music Education. Please contact the Chair of the Department of Music or the Director of the Teacher Education Program for exact required course work in Education.
Western Watershed General Education Requirements
Students must complete all Western Watershed General Education requirements to graduate.
Graduation Requirements
Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation. Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above). Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued.
Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements.
Sample Plan
Degree Plans are for planning purposes. They reflect a suggested plan to complete the degree in a projected timeframe per program of study.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDUC 000 | Education Gateway Course | 0 |
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) (Wesstern Watershed Fundamental Skills - Writing I) | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 100 | Fundamentals of Music (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 173 | Piano class | 1 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed MATH Fundamental Skills | 3 |
| WWGE 101/102/103/104 | Headwaters (select one) | 2 |
| Credits | 14.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) (Western Watershed Fundamental Skills - Writing II) | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 128 | Theory of Music Laboratory I | 1 |
| MUS 129 | Theory of Music I | 3 |
| MUS 174 | Piano Class | 1 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Credits | 13.5 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 130 | Theory of Music Laboratory II | 1 |
| MUS 131 | Theory of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 212 | Introduction to Music Technology | 1 |
| MUS 214 | Brass Methods (with laboratory) | 1 |
| MUS 250 | Beginning Conducting: Choral and Instrumental | 2 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Credits | 16.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 213 | Woodwind Methods (with laboratory) | 1 |
| MUS 217 | Voice Methods | 1 |
| MUS 253 | Theory of Music Laboratory III | 1 |
| MUS 254 | Theory of Music III | 3 |
| MUS 350 | Advanced Conducting: Choral and Instrumental | 2 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Credits | 16.5 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 215 | String Methods (with laboratory) | 1 |
| MUS 301 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 340 | Theory of Music Lab IV | 1 |
| MUS 341 | Theory of Music IV | 3 |
| MUS 352 | History of Music I: Ancient to Baroque | 3 |
| MUS 360 | Teaching General Music in Elementary Schools | 2 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Credits | 15.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 340 | Application of Pedagogy and Practice | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 216 | Percussion Methods (with laboratory) | 1 |
| MUS 301 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 353 | History of Music II: Classical to Modern | 3 |
| MUS 365 | Teaching Music in Secondary Schools | 2 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 400 | Student Recital or Project | 2 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Credits | 16.5 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 403 | Instruction & Assessment in Content Area | 3 |
| EDUC 404 | Creating Positive Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 405 | Data-driven Instructional Practices | 3 |
| EDUC 410 | K-12 Student Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC 424 | Differentiation: Applying Learner-Centered Instruction | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 406 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC 407 | Maximizing Learning through 21st Century Skills | 3 |
| EDUC 410 | K-12 Student Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC 429 | Teaching English Learners for Secondary and K-12 Teachers | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Western is committed to doing our part to provide each student a clear path to graduation. This four‐year degree plan is a sample map for fulfilling requirements in the major and General Education. The pathway that you take to your degree may differ somewhat from this illustration, depending on where you start and the detours and side trips you may take along the way. You are responsible for ensuring your overall, upper division, and major‐specific credits as well as GPA requirements are fulfilled for graduation.