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3.0 Academic Information 

3.1 Advising 

All music majors are required to schedule an advising appointment each semester within the four weeks prior to the registration period. Only after this appointment will you be cleared to register.

Freshman, sophomores, and juniors will receive an invitation/link from the School of Music to schedule advising appointments. The link connects to Navigate, the official appointment scheduling platform for academic advising at the University of Memphis. Likewise, students can visit Navigate without the invitation and schedule an appointment. Be sure to select "School of Music Peer Advising for Spring 2022" as advising location.

Faculty are required to submit an Approve Change of Concentration form to document approvals for School of Music students who have submitted their online request to change or add a music concentration. The student's online request must be on file, and all qualifications met (essays, interviews, documents, auditions) before an approval can be processed. This submission, and other related documents will become a part of the student's SOM and University permanent file(s).

Seniors should contact their primary advisor (listed in UM degree) for advising appointments.

All Students should prepare a drafted schedule for discussion. Refer to your four-year degree outline found on Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music website (Undergraduate Degree Outlines). We encourage all to register as soon as registration is open to secure prime times and days.

Advising appointments are scheduled through Navigate and may take place in person, by phone, or over Zoom.

3.2 Course Loads 

A full-time undergraduate student enrolled in 12 credit hours is considered full-time. However, it is recommended that students enroll in 15 credit hours per semester to attain their degree within four years. This also allows flexibility in the case that the student would like to drop a course but needs to remain a full-time student. For additional information visit Classification of Students.

3.3 Progress Toward the Degree

After acceptance into the School of Music, all music majors will participate in applied and academic assessment during each semester of enrollment. The Bachelor of Music with a major in Music is a professional degree, the requirements for which provide the student with an opportunity for specialization in the traditional disciplines of music and music education. 

  • A minimum grade of "C-" is required in every graded music course applicable toward the major. The student must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0. 
  • Exception: Music Education concentration: overall grade point average of 2.75 and a minimum grade of "C-" in each professional education and music course. 

In order to remain a Music Major, students must maintain progress toward the degree by taking at least one course (other than applied lessons or ensemble) each semester required in the degree plan.

The faculty of the school has outlined the proper order in which the required courses should be taken. This order is based upon a pedagogical sequence of knowledge and skills over the course of study. Students should consult the sample degree plans, listed in the School of Music section of the University Catalog, and consult regularly with their advisor to complete the degree on time.

3.4 Policy for Dismissal

An undergraduate student will be placed on Academic Warning only once during their enrollment at the University of Memphis if:

  • the overall combined GPA is below 2.00 or
  • the semester GPA falls below 1.00

An undergraduate student will be placed on Academic Probation after being on Academic Warning if:

  • the overall combined GPA is below 2.00 or
  • the semester GPA is below 2.00

Students on Academic Probation will placed on Academic Suspension in the following semester if the overall combined GPA is below 2.00 and the term GPA is below 2.00. Students on Academic Suspension can apply for readmission only after the following minimum periods:

  • for the first Academic Suspension, one regular term (fall or spring)
  • for fhe second Academic Suspension, one calendar year

After a second Academic Suspension, a student may be ineligible for further enrollment at the University of Memphis. Further detailed information concerning academic regulations can be found on the academic catalog. 

3.5 Graduation Procedures

Students intending to graduate must make an appointment with the Graduation Analyst. The Graduation Analyst is located in the Dean's Office of the College of Communication and Fine Arts.

After meeting with the Graduation Analyst, the Statement of Graduation is sent to the School of Music's Undergraduate Studies Program Manager for verification of concert attendance and approval from the Associate Director for Academic Programs. Once approved, the form will be sent back to the Dean's Office. All other information regarding Commencement can be found on the Commencement Website.

3.6 Freshman Seminar 

The Freshman Seminar is a required course in the music degree that should be taken the first two semesters of a music major's study. The Seminar presents ideas, performances, and perspectives by various guest lecturers to inform and inspire first-year music students at the University. The weekly sessions provide the opportunity to meet faculty members, create new relationships, and experience new discoveries.

3.7 Piano Proficiency

All undergraduate music majors must satisfactorily demonstrate keyboard proficiency appropriate to their degree programs. Students satisfy this requirement by completing all modules of all three juries of the final piano course required for their degree with a C- or better. The final piano course for each degree is listed below:

  • Music Industry: MUAP 1105 (continue to MUAP 1116)
  • Commercial Music, Jazz Composition, Jazz Performance: MUAP 1106 (continue to MUAP 1116)
  • Music Education-Instrumental: MUAP 2107
  • Composition, Music Education-Vocal, Music History, Performance: MUAP 2108
  • Keyboard Principals: MUSE 3101

Students must complete these requirements before their senior year (music education majors before student teaching).

3.8 MUSE Certification Requirements

Becoming a Certified Music Teacher at the University of Memphis
The music education program collaborates with the University's College of Education to award undergraduate students initial certification to teach music in Tennessee and other states with reciprocal licensure agreements. The first step toward certification is gaining admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP), which typically occurs in the sophomore year. In order to qualify for TEP admission, students must have (a) an ACT score of 21 or higher (from high school) OR a passing score on the PRAXIS I Core exam (which they can take in their freshman year), (b) a minimum 2.75 GPA in their undergraduate coursework, and (c) passing grades in what we call the "Big 5" courses. The "Big 5" includes: ENGL 1010, ENGL 1020, MATH 1420 (or equivalent), EDPR 2111, and SPED 2000.

Once a student gains admission to the TEP, they progress through coursework outlined in either the instrumental or choral music education degree plans. This includes the remainder of the music core curriculum, general education requirements, upper level music education coursework, and a junior recital. Towards the end of their junior year, students apply for "residency," also known as student teaching, which is a year-long experience. In order to qualify for residency, students must have a GPA of at least 2.75 and have taken the PRAXIS II exam for music. (If a student does not pass PRAXIS II the first time, they may proceed to residency with the stipulation that they pass it before they graduate.) Once accepted into residency, students are placed in local schools part-time (twice per week) in the fall of their senior year, and full-time (five days per week) in the spring of their senior year. Part of the residency experience is completing edTPA, which is a performance-based assessment of teaching that is the final requirement for state certification.

3.9 Degree Outlines 

For information on degree outlines, visit the Degree Plan Directory page.