Music Education

Program Mission Statement

The UNF Department of Music is committed to the artistic and intellectual preparation of students for multi-faceted musical careers in music in the 21st century, and aims to provide a high level of professional musical training as well as a sense of mission about the true value of music to our society.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music Education Degree can expect training to develop a high level of performance skills on the student’s primary instrument, in-depth training in music theory and ear training, practical piano skills, comprehensive knowledge of western music history, exposure to the study of music in other cultures, functional knowledge of music technology and the ability to create original or derivative music. The UNF Department of Music believes that great music educators must possess strong performance skills.

BME students will also develop skills to be successful in a wide variety of professional fields in music education, Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, including choral, orchestral, band, and elementary general music. Students will build a foundation of professional knowledge and skills throughout the coursework, including but not limited to musicianship, leadership, classroom management, assessment, and apply learning in integrated field experiences within the music education coursework. BME students will also complete a one semester final internship in a public school music program, under the supervision of the public school music teacher and a UNF Music Education faculty advisor. The current Music Education faculty advisor has more than ten years experience teaching a variety of music classes in elementary and secondary public and private schools in Florida and Ohio, is actively engaged with area music educators, especially through professional organizations such as the Florida Music Educators Association, and is an active scholar presenting clinical sessions at local, national, and international venues with published research in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Research in Music Education, Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, and the Journal of Music Teacher Education.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able:

Content/Discipline-Specific Knowledge/Skills

• Students will demonstrate mastery of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices.
• Demonstrate knowledge of subject matter in a manner that enables students to learn.

Communication Skills

Demonstrate instructional effectiveness in a variety of music classrooms in a variety of school settings.

Critical Thinking Skills

Demonstrate the ability to assess K-12 music student achievement in musical performance in valid and authentic ways.

Assessment Approaches

Numerous direct and indirect assessment measures will be employed to assess mastery of the identified student learning outcomes in courses and school-based field experiences. At the end of each semester, performance juries are conducted by a panel of faculty. A scoring rubric is utilized as the principal assessment tool during these performance juries. A senior recital, internship, and a passing score on the Florida Teacher Certification Examination are required. Scoring rubrics may also be used as assessment approaches with a select set of required courses. This direct measure of student achievement is complemented by a number of indirect assessments that include alumni surveys, student perception surveys, employer surveys, and admission rates to graduate programs. Content outcomes are addressed through lesson plans delivered during pre-intern and intern semesters. Communication outcomes are assessed in pre-intern and intern semesters. Critical thinking skills are demonstrated throughout the program in education, music, and music education courses. Summative assessment is completed during Internship.