The University of Tennessee - Martin

Coursework in MEPP
Application Process & Guidelines
Teacher Education Program (TEP)

Coursework (=see below)

The MEPP at UTM requires the following professional music education courses:

•  MUED 260* Introduction to Teaching Music-all (3)
•  MUED 310 General Music Methods-all (3)
•  MUS 353 Beginning Choral Techniques-vocal (3)
•  MUS 453 Advanced Choral Techniques-vocal (3)
•  MUS 431/432 Large Choral Works & Lab-vocal (4)
•  MUS 354 Beginning Ensemble Techniques-instrumental (3)
•  MUS 454 Advanced Ensemble Techniques-instrumental (3)
•  MUS 417 Marching Band Techniques-instrumental (3)
•  MUED 400 Seminar in Music Education-all (3)
•  MUED 471 Student Teaching, K-6-all (6)
•  MUED 472 Student Teaching, 7-12-all (6)
•  MUED 473 Seminar in Student Teaching-all (1)

Total MEPP Hours for vocal licensure: 32 Hours
Total MEPP Hours for instrumental licensure: 31 Hours

*Prerequisite to program and any other course in the sequence listed.

= Based on the 2006 - 2007 Catalog course offerings; updates will be made available as necessary.

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Application Process & Guidelines

No student may be permitted to matriculate in any courses in the MEPP without applying and being accepted to the program! The only exception to this is the course MUED 260 Introduction to Music Education, which serves as an introduction to the profession. Students must have sophomore standing to enroll in MUED 260, offered in the Fall semester of each academic year. Students wishing to continue in the MEPP and seek the BM in Music Education must apply to the MEPP no later than the mid-term of the semester in which they are enrolled in MUED 260 . If a student misses the deadline, (s)he will need to wait until the following semester to apply. All applications will be reviewed and notification of acceptance, pending acceptance, or denial will be given to the student in writing during the first week of November. Upon acceptance into MEPP, the student should apply for the Teacher Education Program (TEP) the following semester.

 

APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR THE MEPP

•  Complete the application form.

•  Submit a recent set of transcripts (unofficial from the web will be accepted).

•  Submit recommendation forms from (a) the main applied studio professor, (b) an ensemble director, (c) the class voice/class piano professor, or a music theory professor, and (d) the instructor of MUED 260.

•  Cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all college coursework taken to date.

•  A GPA of 3.0 on all music coursework taken.

•  Submit an Autobiographical sketch of yourself (no more than 2 pages).

•  Submit a one- to two-page philosophical statement as to why you would like to pursue a career as a music educator. Please be specific and avoid obvious statements such as, "I like kids." It is assumed that you do like, or indeed love, children.

•  Interview with MEPP Committee.

•  Be an active member of CMENC (Collegiate Music Educators National Conference).

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Teacher Education Program at UTM: Information and Requirements

Once a student who wishes to complete the program in Music Education is accepted to the MEPP, (s)he must subsequently apply to the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences' Teacher Education Program (TEP). A STUDENT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STUDENT TEACH UNLESS (S)HE IS FULLY ACCEPTED INTO TEP-THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS! Information that follows has been summarized from the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog. Students are encouraged to check the catalog and that college's webpage often, as information may change. It is the ultimate responsibility of the student to maintain progress and follow procedures for any and all programs at UTM.

 

Required Professional Education Courses for Music Education Students

•  TCED 302: Integrated Teaching Strategies (3) (must be admitted to TEP before student may take this class); will be replaced by HLRN 325 in Fall 2008 catalog (3 credits; no TEP admission necessary to take this class)

•  SPED 300: Exceptional Child (3)

 

Teacher Education Program Admission Criteria
(Summarized from the catalog)

1. Students must take and pass the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST, or PRAXIS I), or have an ACT composite score of 22 or better. Passing score is determined by the State of Tennessee . At present, passing scores on each of the subtests are: Mathematics 173; Reading 174; and Writing 173.
2. Have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
3. Demonstrate an acceptable level of oral skills and a successful interview before the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Interview Board--the MEPP interview fulfills this requirement.

Probation & Removal from MEPP/TEP

1. A student may be put on probation for one semester due to insufficient grade point average (music or overall) or unprofessional conduct. Probation will be notified in writing to the student and may include an interview with faculty to determine a corrective course of action. A student's progress will be reviewed at the completion of the semester's probration to determine if the student may continue without probation in the MEPP or removal from the degree program.
2. A student may be removed from the MEPP/TEP for: (1) the inability to complete deficiencies during a probation; (2) if a student conducts him/herself unprofessionally in any teaching situation during an academic year and/or when the University is on break; or (3) his/her professional dispositions are contradictory to a future music educator. Removal may occur WITHOUT probation if an offense by the student warrants this immediate action (i.e., criminal activity or some other serious offense by the MEPP candidate). Removal of the student will be a MEPP Committee decision and is not reversible.

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Student Teaching for Music Education Students: MEPP & TEP Guidelines 

Students who are nearing the completion of their coursework will have their experiences culminate in the Student Teaching Field Experience. The endorsement levels for music in the State of Tennessee are K-12. For that reason, the field experience encompasses an entire semester at two different levels of music instruction to acquaint the pre-service music educator with a variety of classroom experiences: (1) General Music-Elementary and/or Middle School; and (2) Field specific: i.e., instrumental or choral. Each placement will be for approximately seven (7) weeks each and will be under the supervision of a music specialist teaching in the public schools. Additionally, the student will be under supervision from the Department of Music during his/her placements.

Guidelines for Student Teaching

•  A student must make application to student teach to the Department of Music one year in advance of the anticipated student teaching semester . For example, if you are to student teach in the Fall of 2007, then application to student teach should be in the Fall of 2006. If you fail to submit your application, your student teaching will be delayed.

•  A student should submit with the application updated transcripts AND a graduation audit of coursework showing the list of remaining courses and the semesters they will be completed before student teaching. NO STUDENT MAY STUDENT TEACH WITH ANY DEGREE COURSEWORK INCOMPLETE!

•  The student will complete paperwork and attend the mandatory student teaching meeting in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences one semester prior to student teaching . For example, if you are student teaching in Spring 2006, you must attend that meeting in Fall 2005. There are no exceptions to this and failure to attend this meeting will delay your student teaching .

•  The student must be admitted to TEP.

•  The student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all college coursework, a 3.0 GPA on all music coursework (note this requirement for music is HIGHER than what is required for TEP).

•  The student must have maintained satisfactory progress on his/her teacher education portfolio.

•  Note to Transfer Students: Generally speaking, transfer students are bound by the same policies and procedures of the Music Education Professional Program and Teacher Education Program as all regularly matriculated students. However, transfer students may have completed music education coursework or TEP requirements elsewhere that may substitute for those at UTM. Careful analysis of transcripts and advising will determine the best course for transfer students on an individual basis. It should be noted that the UTM Department of Music is under no obligation to accept courses that have been completed elsewhere, and that additional documentation and different coursework may be requested on part of the transfer student. Every reasonable request will be reviewed, and students will be advised accordingly.
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All students must pass three (3) PRAXIS II Exams in order to be licensed by the State of Tennessee in Music. Passing scores are set by the State of Tennessee; contact Jenny Hahn in the College of Education & Behavioral Sciences for more information about state licensure. (Click here for ETS PRAXIS website for more information)

PRAXIS II: Principles of Learning & Teaching (either K-6, 5-9, or 7-12)
PRAXIS II: Music Concepts & Processes
PRAXIS II: Music Content Knowledge

Graduation Note: PRAXIS exams are not required to student teach or to graduate from UTM. However, all music education students must take the PRAXIS II: Content Knowledge before graduating. A passing score is not necessary, but taking the test is. It is highly recommended that all music education students take and pass their PRAXIS II components before they graduate. State licensure is not ensured by your degree alone; PRAXIS II must be passed in order to be licensed in the state of Tennessee.

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Sequence Overview for Music Education Majors 

I. Admission to UTM

II. Department of Music Audition

III. MEPP Application, Interview, and Acceptance (During MUED 260)

IV. Application and Acceptance to TEP

V. Successful GPA and Course Completion in MEPP and TEP

VI. Student Teaching: PRAXIS II Content Knowledge, at least

VII. Graduation, PRAXIS II, and Tennessee Licensure

 

Procedural Overview for the Music Education Student

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