Music Education

Master of Music in Music Education (MM)

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Designed for the practicing educator, the Master of Music in Music Education offers graduate education and resources students can incorporate immediately into their classes.

"I am currently taking ten credits and I can’t honestly pick which class I enjoy the most. Each class provides me with different knowledge that is all applicable to my teaching. I take voice lessons that help me with teaching my choir techniques and vocal health, my curriculum class helps me reflect on my own teaching strategies, and my research class is preparing me for my master’s thesis. With the completion of my degree, I hope to work at a university to teach music education students just like myself." - Alex, graduate music education student

The program aims to deepen the teacher’s practice in meaningful ways by providing a strong foundation in philosophy, history, practice, and curriculum design, with an emphasis on action research. Students are invited to draw upon not only the resources of the School of Music but those of the entire University to meet individual professional interests and needs. 

  • Students align study with career goals by choosing between the Pedagogical track or the Research track.
  • Small classes ensure students receive individual attention from faculty who are vitally interested in current issues facing music educators today. Examples include philosophically based education, student-centered learning, issues of social context, and music technology.
  • Courses are held in the evening throughout the academic year and as week-long seminars during the summer months. Evening classes are offered in a synchronous classroom/online format for those who live too far away from campus.

Students interested in applying to the MM music education should have an appropriate bachelor’s degree in music, generally with licensure in music education. K-12 music teaching experience strongly preferred.

For your MM, you will be expected to meet one of the following sets of requirements:

Pedagogical Track

  • 9 credits of foundational music education courses
  • 12 credits of pedagogical courses
  • 9 credits of elective
  • Completion of master’s project
  • Final oral examination

Research Track

  • 12 credits of foundational music education and research courses
  • 6 credits of pedagogical courses
  • 9 credits of elective
  • Completion of master’s project
  • Final oral examination

Requirements for the MM in Music