Academic Catalog 2025-2026 Edition

Music Education (B.M.E.)

College of Arts and SciencesBower School of Music & the Arts

Website: https://www.fgcu.edu/cas/bsma/music/musiced.aspx

(239) 590-7196

The Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) prepares students to teach music in public, private commercial and community schools. The B.M.E. requires applied study in voice, piano, guitar, woodwind, brass, percussion and/or stringed instruments as well as courses in music theory, history and conducting. Students will also receive instruction and immersion in pedagogies and resources that support K-12 learners. The professional semester (student teaching) will require students to have two experiences at differing levels (elementary and middle or high school) to afford them maximum exposure to the real world of music teaching. Completion of this program and degree will include State of Florida Certification in Music (Grades K-12), which certifies a program graduate to teach music in Florida public schools.

Concentrations

  • Choral Concentration
  • Instrumental Concentration

Program Admission Requirements

  • Submit an FGCU Undergraduate Admission Application and satisfy all applicable university admission requirements.
  • Specialized Admissions1: Submit a Bower School of Music Supplemental Application by June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.
  • A Performance Audition, Theory Placement Exam and Interview must be completed for acceptance consideration into the Music Specialized Admissions Program.
  • Attend an orientation session.
  • Sign an Advising Agreement document.
  • Note: Students admitted to the Bower School of Music are eligible to apply for a Music Scholarship. The Music Scholarships are awarded to assist individual students to obtain an education and to help create an institutional musical environment conducive to the musical growth of all students and the enhancement of the campus cultural environment. The Music Scholarship recipient must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.5 and have no grades of “F” in any class (unless later replaced by a grade of “C” or better). Also she/he must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in music classes at FGCU and have no grades lower than “C” in any music class (unless later replaced by a grade of “C” or better), and demonstrate continuing progress in the principal performing medium as exhibited through applied lessons, ensemble performance, recital appearances, and jury examinations.
1

This means that students apply and are initially accepted into the University as a pre-music major student. An application and subsequent audition for acceptance into the music major is also required. Not all students who audition and meet the selection criteria are admitted into the specialized admissions major. The selection process is very competitive and space is limited in each admission class.

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students must:

  • Enroll in a large ensemble (1 credit) every semester they are enrolled in an applied lesson.
  • Complete a minimum of 125-128 credits.
  • Complete a minimum of 48 of the 134 credits must be at the upper division (3000-4999 level).
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
  • Satisfy the College-Level Skills requirement and foreign language entrance requirement.
  • Satisfy the Service-Learning requirement.
  • Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
  • Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
  • Pass the Piano Proficiency Exam (a common prerequisite which is on a Pass/Fail basis)
  • Present an upper level recital in the applied emphasis, with a passing grade by a faculty committee.
  • Satisfy the residency requirement: 32 of the last 74 credits must be completed at FGCU, including 12 credits in the major.
  • Pass the three required tests for Florida teacher certification.
    • General Knowledge Test (082) (please refer to Rule 6A-4.0021 - Florida Teacher certification Examinations for alternative assessment options)
    • Professional Education (083)
    • Music Education (028)
  • Submit an online Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.