Values and Educational Priorities
At the Mead Witter School of Music:
- we teach by example, offering participatory, mentor-driven education;
- we provide individualized instruction and flexible curricula that encourage students to find their own musical pathways;
- we foster musical excellence and high academic standards;
- our faculty exhibit the best of their respective fields, are deeply engaged in artistic scholarship and research, and are committed to teaching at all levels;
- we whole-heartedly embrace the Wisconsin Idea;
- we have created a dynamic educational community, part of a large and vibrant research university within a city that values and supports the arts.
The Mead Witter School of Music enriches students' educational experience by hosting guest artists and scholars for master classes, recitals, colloquia, seminars, and festivals. Its performing organizations and ensembles perform more than 350 recitals and concerts every year, making a significant contribution to the cultural life of the university and the wider Madison community. Facilities specifically designed for music study and performance offer excellent resources for students to pursue their interests.
In addition to a thriving undergraduate student body, BM: Music Education students have the advantage of working side by side with students in master's-level and doctoral-level music programs. Working collegially in class and studio, making music together on stage and off, and building professional relationships across program boundaries all enable the sharing of expertise, experience, and perspectives and add immeasurably to every student's development.
The music degree programs are demanding and require care in taking courses in the proper sequence. Graduation can be delayed if a course is not taken in the appropriate semester. Refer to the Requirements and Four-Year Plan tabs for more details.
The Music Education Undergraduate Major
The undergraduate music education major offers two options: a specialty in Instrumental Music and a specialty in Choral Music. Regardless of chosen specialty, the Degree Requirements prepare students to teach in all areas of Music (K-12) instruction, including General Music. Upon completion of both the BM: Music Education and additional statutory and certification requirements, students may choose to apply for a Wisconsin teaching license in Music (K-12). Music Education is a program offered jointly by the School of Music and the School of Education. The Bachelor of Music: Education degree is conferred by the College of Letters & Science; teacher certification is earned through the School of Education.
Recent revisions to the music education curricula accomplish several important goals:
- Enable broad teaching certification for music instruction in Wisconsin's elementary and secondary schools, grades K through 12. Students may specialize in vocal or instrumental music, but all students successfully completing the program and additional certification requirements will qualify for certification in Music (K-12) in accordance with Wisconsin’s PI 34 requirements as outlined by the Department of Public Instruction.
- Explore the relationships between popular culture and music education. Graduates will be prepared to teach multiple forms of musical literacy, not just the traditional band, orchestra, and choral curriculum.
- Expand the number of musical styles studied in the curriculum. Students also participate in performance ensembles that reflect the diverse array of musical activities in today's schools.
- Offer an introductory music education class to sophomores prior to admission into the program.
- Provide instruction and experiences so that graduates can teach in culturally responsive ways.
- Increase performance collaboration between students in the instrumental and vocal options.
- Create an interdisciplinary program by including a core set of courses for all music education students.
- Enable potential completion of the undergraduate degree in four years, including the final semester of student teaching.
Although these programs are designed with the goal of preparing teachers to work in K–12 schools, the programs also provide a good preparation for individuals seeking careers in continuing education or music education-related fields outside of the traditional K-12 teaching environment.
The student's principal performance area should be consistent with the chosen major option. One or more additional performance areas may be required. Prospective music education majors must audition and be accepted into any additional performance areas at the music major level (200 level) of performance study prior to beginning the methods and practicum sequence. Mead Witter School of Music cannot guarantee admission to additional performance areas, nor can it guarantee that appropriate substitute coursework will be available. During the time a student is enrolled in degree work, all performance study is expected to take place at UW–Madison.
How to Get in
Admission to the Bachelor of Music: Education Program
To be admitted to the Mead Witter School of Music a student needs to apply to and be admitted by both UW-Madison and the Mead Witter School of Music:
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Prospective (new or transfer) and re-entry students should apply to UW-Madison through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
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All students must also complete an application and pass an audition. See the Mead Witter School of Music website for more information. Questions about the Music application and audition process should be directed to the Music Undergraduate Audition and Admissions Coordinator.
Note: Students declared in the Bachelor of Music: Education program are not eligible to declare Music: Performance, or the Music major. Students who are interested in pursuing a second major or certificate outside of music should meet with the Undergraduate Music Advisor to discuss their interests and ways of meeting their educational goals.
Declare the Music Education Program
Students admitted to UW-Madison and the Mead Witter School of Music will be declared in their music major or music degree program. All students must make satisfactory progress, as described below, to continue in their major or degree program. Students not meeting these requirements should meet with the Undergraduate Music Advisor to discuss their options for continuing in the Mead Witter School of Music.
Music Education Continuation Requirements
Students must meet all of the requirements below to continue in the program. Students not meeting any one of these requirements may be removed from the program and must choose a new major. Contact the Undergraduate Music Advisor for consideration of extenuating circumstances or if the student is considering a leave of absence (such as family emergency, personal wellness, study abroad, or approved accommodations).
(1) Enrollment Requirements
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Enroll every fall and spring semester in courses that meet the Performance Study Requirements, until those requirements are completed.
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Enroll in MUSIC 121 & MUSIC 171 to begin the music theory/history sequence in the first possible fall semester after declaration.
(2) Performance Study Jury and Progress Report
At least once a year, students must pass a performance jury with their major instrument. The purpose of this jury will be to evaluate performance study progress and to set goals for the coming year. Students who do not pass will receive guidance about making improvements and a warning letter and will have a semester to work with their professor to make improvements needed to remain in the program.
(3) Progression to 400-Level Performance Study
At the end of the fourth semester of enrollment in Performance Study, students will be evaluated for permission to advance to 400-level performance study. Students who do not meet progression requirements to advance to 400-level performance study may be given an additional semester to meet those requirements.
(4) Meet GPA Requirements in three areas:
As part of the Music Education application process, the School of Music requires students to be meeting the following GPA requirements:
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2.750 overall cumulative GPA
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3.000 cumulative GPA in all MUSIC and MUSIC PERFORMANCE courses
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2.500 cumulative GPA in music theory (MUSIC 121 , MUSIC 171, MUSIC 122, MUSIC 172, MUSIC 221, MUSIC 271, MUSIC 222, and MUSIC 272) and music history (MUSIC 211 and MUSIC 212)
(5) Music Education Teacher Education Program (METEP) Application, Audition, and Background Check
While enrolled in MUSIC/CURRIC 300, students declared in Music Education will be required to:
- Complete the METEP application
- Pass a music education audition
- Pass a criminal background check
- Meet the GPA Requirements outlined in (4) at the end of the semester of application
- Students must meet all of these requirements before enrolling in a course with field placement requirements (MUSIC/CURRIC 301, MUSIC/CURRIC 302, MUSIC/CURRIC 337, MUSIC/CURRIC 409 and MUSIC/CURRIC 410).
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Letters & Science Breadth and Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Music
The Mead Witter School of Music (MWSoM) is a professional school within the College of Letters & Science (L&S). The College confers the Bachelor of Music degree for two distinct programs within the MWSoM: BM-Performance and BM-Education.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The BM is a special degree program; it is not considered a major. The BM degree is not available to students who intend to earn a degree outside the College of Letters & Science.
Bachelor of Music - Degree Requirements
| Language | Complete the second unit of a language other than English (some Named Options required additional or specific languages). |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | Complete at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level. |
| Major | Gain admission to and complete one option within the degree program. |
| Total Credits | Complete at least 120 credits. |
| UW-Madison Experience | Complete both: • 30 credits in residence, overall; and • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit. |
| Quality of Work | • 2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UW–Madison |
Requirements for the Program
The Bachelor of Music: Education program includes core requirements common to both options within the program, as well as specific requirements unique to each option. Requirements common to both options are detailed below. Refer to the Named Options section below for links to the specific requirements of a particular option within the program.
Requirements for Both Music Education Program Options
All students in the Bachelor of Music: Education program must complete the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Music | ||
| Music Theory/Aural Skills (complete all): | 16 | |
| Musica Practica 1 and Musica Practica: Aural Skills 1 | ||
| Musica Practica 2 and Musica Practica: Aural Skills 2 | ||
| Musica Practica 3 and Musica Practica: Aural Skills 3 | ||
| Musica Practica 4 and Musica Practica: Aural Skills 4 | ||
| Music History (complete both): | 6 | |
| Survey of the History of Western Music | ||
| Survey of the History of Western Music | ||
| Cultural Breadth Ensemble (complete 2 courses from the following): | 2 | |
| Global Hand Drumming Ensemble: Survey of Selected Global Hand Drumming Traditions | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Resistance Music Ensemble | ||
| Keyboard Skills (complete 4 credits): | 4 | |
| All students must pass MUS PERF 104 keyboard proficiency. Extra credits earned in reaching proficiency will count as music electives. | ||
| Elementary Class Piano | ||
| Intermediate Class Piano | ||
| Jazz (complete 2 credits): | 2 | |
| Jazz Class Piano | ||
or MUSIC 331 | Jazz Improvisation | |
| Global Music Cultures (complete 3 credits): | 3 | |
| Jazz in 20th-Century America | ||
| Introduction to Music Cultures of the World | ||
| Delta Blues | ||
| American Ethnicities and Popular Song | ||
| Global Hand Drumming Ensemble: Survey of Selected Global Hand Drumming Traditions | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Resistance Music Ensemble | ||
| Ensemble-Percussion | ||
| Cultural Cross Currents: West African Dance/Music in the Americas | ||
| Topics in Music and Ethnicity in the United States | ||
| Jazz Improvisation | ||
| Jazz Improvisation | ||
| Musical Cultures of the World | ||
| Seminar: Cultural Study of Music | ||
| Conducting (complete both): | 4 | |
| Conducting | ||
| Conducting | ||
| Music Education | ||
| Composition, Arrangement, Orchestration for the Music Teacher | 2 | |
| Composition, Arrangement, and Orchestration for the Music Teacher | ||
| Teaching Popular Music (complete both): | 2 | |
| Teaching Popular Instrumental Music 1 | ||
| Teaching Popular Instrumental Music 2 | ||
| Music Education Professional Sequence (complete all): | 8 | |
| Principles of Music Education | ||
| Music Learning and Teaching 1 and Practicum in Teaching Music | ||
| Music Learning and Teaching 2 and Practicum in Teaching Music | ||
| Education | ||
| Human Development (complete one): | 3 | |
| Human Development in Infancy and Childhood | ||
or ED PSYCH 321 | Human Development in Adolescence | |
| Learning | 3 | |
| How People Learn | ||
| Foundations of the Profession (complete one): | 3 | |
| School and Society | ||
| History of American Education | ||
| Special Education | 3 | |
| Strategies for Inclusive Schooling | ||
| Literacy | 3 | |
| Integrating the Teaching of Reading with Other Language Arts | ||
| Total Credits | 64 | |
Electives for the degree to reach 120 credits
In addition to the requirements for the program, students need to earn additional free elective credit to total 120 credits to graduate.
Further Details on Certification Requirements
In addition to completing the requirements for the BM: Music Education program, students must also complete the statutory and certification requirements established by PI 34’s Administrative Code and enacted by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Completing the requirements for the BM: Music Education degree alone is not sufficient to obtain a music education license in the state of Wisconsin. For more information see Certification/Licensure page.
Named Options
Choosing a Music Education Option
The music education major consists of two main options, both leading to certification at both the elementary and secondary levels. Students choose to complete the certification option in either General and Instrumental Music or General and Choral Music. The Bachelor of Music: Education degree requires a minimum of 120 credits. The Undergraduate Advisor, supported by the music education faculty, can advise you on which option is most suited to your goals. Information on how to apply to the Music Education program can be found under the "How to Get In" tab.
Residence & Quality of Work
- Minimum 2.000 GPA in all MUSIC, MUS PERF, and program courses
- Minimum 2.000 GPA on at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the program, in residence
- 15 credits in MUSIC and/or MUS PERF, taken on the UW–Madison campus
Upper-Level Courses
The following courses are approved for upper-level credit in both options of the Bachelor of Music: Education program:
Music
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSIC 40 | Wind Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 41 | Concert Band | 1 |
| MUSIC 50 | Concert Choir | 1 |
| MUSIC 52 | Treble Choir | 1 |
| MUSIC 53 | Choral Union | 1 |
| MUSIC 55 | Masters' Singers | 1 |
| MUSIC 56 | Chorale | 1 |
| MUSIC 58 | Madrigal Singers | 1 |
| MUSIC 61 | Chamber Orchestra | 1 |
| MUSIC 62 | University Symphony Orchestra | 1 |
| MUSIC 211 | Survey of the History of Western Music | 3 |
| MUSIC 212 | Survey of the History of Western Music | 3 |
| MUSIC 221 | Musica Practica 3 | 3 |
| MUSIC 222 | Musica Practica 4 | 3 |
| MUSIC 229 | Jazz Theory & Composition | 3 |
| MUSIC 252 | Introduction to Conducting and Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUSIC 253 | Conducting | 2 |
| MUSIC 254 | Conducting | 2 |
| MUSIC 256 | University Opera | 1-2 |
| MUSIC 257 | Opera Workshop | 2 |
| MUSIC 262 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 265 | Ensemble-Woodwind | 1 |
| MUSIC 266 | Resistance Music Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 267 | Ensemble-Brass | 1 |
| MUSIC 268 | Ensemble-Percussion | 1 |
| MUSIC 269 | Ensemble-String | 1 |
| MUSIC 270 | Ensemble-Guitar | 1 |
| MUSIC 271 | Musica Practica: Aural Skills 3 | 1 |
| MUSIC 272 | Musica Practica: Aural Skills 4 | 1 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 301 | Music Learning and Teaching 1 | 2 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 304 | Composition, Arrangement, and Orchestration for the Music Teacher | 2 |
| MUSIC 317 | Musical Women in Europe and America: Creativity, Performance, and Identity | 3 |
| MUSIC/AFROAMER/DANCE 318 | Cultural Cross Currents: West African Dance/Music in the Americas | 3 |
| MUSIC 319 | Topics in Music and Ethnicity in the United States | 3 |
| MUSIC 331 | Jazz Improvisation | 3 |
| MUSIC 332 | Jazz Improvisation | 3 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 337 | Practicum in Teaching Music | 1 |
| MUSIC 340 | Pedagogy | 1-2 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 344 | Teaching Vocal Styles in the Music Classroom | 1 |
| MUSIC 345 | Practicum in String Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUSIC 346 | Repertoire | 1-2 |
| MUSIC/FOLKLORE 402 | Musical Cultures of the World | 3 |
| MUSIC 405 | Seminar: Cultural Study of Music | 3 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 409 | Student Teaching in General and Vocal Music | 6-12 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 410 | Student Teaching in General and Instrumental Music | 6-12 |
| MUSIC 411 | Survey of Music in the Middle Ages | 3 |
| MUSIC 412 | Survey of Music in the Renaissance | 3 |
| MUSIC 413 | Survey of Music in the Baroque Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 414 | Survey of Music in the Classic Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 415 | Survey of Music in the Romantic Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 416 | Survey of Music in the Twentieth Century | 3 |
| MUSIC 417 | Jazz Histories | 3 |
| MUSIC 419 | Music in the United States | 3 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 420 | Teaching Popular Instrumental Music 1 | 1 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 421 | Teaching Popular Instrumental Music 2 | 1 |
| MUSIC 461 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| MUSIC 463 | Acting for Singers | 1 |
| MUSIC 465 | Marching Band Techniques | 1 |
| MUSIC 466 | Diction for Singers | 2 |
| MUSIC 467 | Language Diction for Singing I | 2 |
| MUSIC 468 | Language Diction for Singing II | 2 |
| MUSIC 497 | Special Topics in Music | 1-3 |
| MUSIC 499 | Directed Study | 1-3 |
| MUSIC 502 | Figured Bass and Basso Continuo | 3 |
| MUSIC 511 | Historical Performance Practices | 3 |
| MUSIC 513 | Survey of Opera | 3 |
| MUSIC/FOLKLORE 515 | Proseminar in Ethnomusicology | 3 |
| MUSIC 523 | Orchestration I | 3 |
| MUSIC 540 | Advanced Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUSIC 541 | Seminar in Choral Literature | 2 |
| MUSIC 546 | String Literature | 2 |
| MUSIC 548 | Piano Pedagogy II | 3 |
| MUSIC 591 | Organ Literature and Design | 2 |
| MUSIC 621 | Renaissance Polyphony | 3 |
| MUSIC 622 | Baroque Counterpoint | 3 |
| MUSIC 623 | Form and Analysis | 2-3 |
| MUSIC 624 | Form and Analysis II | 2-3 |
| MUSIC 629 | Jazz Theory and Analysis | 3 |
| MUSIC 681 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| MUSIC 682 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
Music Performance
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS PERF 311 | Advanced Techniques: Clarinet | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 327 | Advanced Techniques: Percussion | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 331 | Advanced Techniques: Violin | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 333 | Advanced Techniques: Viola | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 339 | Advanced Techniques: Harp | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 342 | Piano Accompanying Lab | 1 |
| MUS PERF 347 | Third Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 348 | Third Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 401 | Advanced Piano | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 402 | Advanced Harpsichord | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 403 | Advanced Organ | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 405 | Advanced Voice | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 407 | Advanced Flute | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 409 | Advanced Oboe | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 411 | Advanced Clarinet | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 413 | Advanced Saxophone | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 415 | Advanced Bassoon | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 417 | Advanced Horn | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 419 | Advanced Trumpet | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 421 | Advanced Trombone | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 423 | Advanced Euphonium | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 425 | Advanced Tuba | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 427 | Advanced Percussion | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 431 | Advanced Violin | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 433 | Advanced Viola | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 435 | Advanced Cello | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 437 | Advanced Double Bass | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 439 | Advanced Harp | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 440 | Advanced Guitar | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 441 | Advanced Jazz Studio Instruction | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 447 | Fourth Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 448 | Fourth Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 457 | Jazz Composition and Arranging | 3 |
| MUS PERF 458 | Jazz Composition and Arranging | 3 |
| MUS PERF 499 | Senior Recital | 2 |
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate proficiency in foundational concepts of Pre-K-12 music education: planning, delivering, and assessing music learning experiences to a diverse population of learners.
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge in music learning and teaching to bring novel, musical perspectives and solutions to challenging social, musical, and technological challenges in Pre-K-12 music settings.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically, musically, and creatively as a music educator to synthesize, analyze, and integrate ideas for decision-making and problem-solving in the best interest of a diverse student population.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with multiple and diverse constituencies (students, parents, colleagues, community) to share knowledge, values, and beliefs regarding music learning and teaching.
- Develop and demonstrate the professionalism required as a music educator in the field of music education: acting ethically, allowing space for diverse views, recognizing and reducing bias in one’s own thinking, and contributing to the profession as a whole.
Advising and Careers
Undergraduate Advising
Advisor: Todd Reck
Office: 3561G Humanities Building
Email: ugradadvisor@music.wisc.edu
Office Phone: (608) 263-1918
If you wish to schedule an advising appointment, please note the following:
- Online access to schedule advising appointments is restricted to students who applied to, auditioned for, and have been admitted to the Mead Witter School of Music.
- Students considering applying to the School of Music should contact our undergraduate admissions coordinator, Jared Jellison, at admissions@music.wisc.edu or 608-263-5986.
Individual Academic Advising
Current music majors can schedule an appointment with Todd via Starfish, which can be accessed via your MyUW student portal. If you're unsure how to use Starfish, please see https://advising.wisc.edu/facstaff/starfish/starfish-student-resources/.
Appointments can also be made by phone at 608-263-1918.
Be Prepared for Your Advising Appointment
Please bring the following to your appointment:
- Any questions you have about requirements, extracurricular opportunities, study abroad, or whatever is on your mind.
- A pen and paper for note-taking.
- Any form you may need signed. Be sure you have filled out all pertinent information and have read the form/document thoroughly.
What to Expect From an Academic Advising Appointment
Academic advisors help students learn and understand their degree and major requirements. Programs in the Mead Witter School of Music are highly sequential, and some required courses are offered only once each year. Many of our undergraduates are interested in earning an additional major and/or certificate; with careful planning each semester, this is possible. Advisors often can explain some of the differences between courses that meet the same degree requirement. For students considering study abroad, it’s a good idea to begin exploring programs early in your degree and work with your advisor to determine the program length (semester/summer/year) that will best fit your needs and interests.
It is recommended that you see an advisor at least once a semester to plan your courses and check progress toward degree completion. Students sometimes need clarification of degree requirements, particularly if they are considering switching to a different major/degree program within the School of Music.
General Contact Information
Mead Witter School of Music
3561 Mosse Humanities Building
455 North Park Street
Madison, WI 53706-1483
608-263-1900
music@music.wisc.edu
School of Education Career Center
Need assistance with preparing for your next step after college? Want to explore career options linked to a Music Education major? Want help beginning your job search and don’t know where to start? Need assistance with your résumé, cover letter, or interviewing skills? Want to connect with potential employers?
Check out the School of Education Career Center!
People
The School of Music faculty are a distinguished group of educators, performing musicians, and active scholars. More information about our faculty can be found at: https://music.wisc.edu/faculty/
Certification/Licensure
Additional Certification Requirements and Applying for a License
In addition to completing UW–Madison's program requirements, students must also complete Wisconsin statutory requirements and certification requirements established by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). For additional certification requirements and information about applying for a license, see Teacher Education Center.
Some specific expectations for teaching licensure must be met while taking coursework.
- Multicultural Education and Human Relations: 50 hours of field experience are satisfied for music education students who successfully complete the required two semesters of CURRIC/MUSIC 337 Practicum in Teaching Music.
- Conflict Resolution Workshop: this non-credit bearing requirement is taught/fulfilled in CURRIC/MUSIC 300 Principles of Music Education.
- American Indian Studies and Education (Wis. Act 31): There are a variety of ways to earn certification. Consult with the MWSOM undergraduate advisor.
- Teacher Performance Assessment conducted by METEP faculty during student teaching semester.
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires higher GPAs for licensure. Students who meet the GPA requirements for the BM: Music Education and not the GPA requirements for licensure will need to work with the Undergraduate Music Advisor, the Music Education Faculty, and the Teacher Education Center to complete alternative work. Requirements for licensure are as follows:
- 3.000 cumulative GPA in all MUSIC and MUSIC PERFORMANCE coursework
- 2.750 cumulative GPA in all UW-Madison coursework
Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure (NC-SARA)
The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure. The expectation is that institutions will determine whether each applicable academic program meets state professional licensure requirements and provide a general disclosure of such on an official university website.
Professional licensure requirements vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year; they are established in a variety of state statutes, regulations, rules, and policies; and they center on a range of educational requirements, including degree type, specialized accreditation, total credits, specific courses, and examinations.
UW-Madison has taken reasonable efforts to determine whether this program satisfies the educational requirements for certification/licensure in states where prospective and enrolled students are located and is disclosing that information as follows.
Disclaimer: This information is based on the most recent annual review of state agency certification/licensure data and is subject to change. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with the individual/office listed in the Contact Information box on this page and with the applicable state agency for specific information.
The requirements of this program meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
Wisconsin
The requirements of this program do not meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
Not applicable
For more information about teacher licensure in Wisconsin and other states please see the Teacher Education Center’s website.
Updated: 1 June 2024
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Music
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2022–2023. Accreditation review process slated to be completed fall 2024.