Music Education (MM)

Program requirements: 33 credits

The curriculum consists of

• 12 credits of foundational coursework,
• 15 credits of elective coursework, and
• six credits of capstone project/thesis coursework and thesis submission.

Foundation Courses: 12 Credits 
Foundation courses provide the intellectual basis for music education as a professional praxis. You’ll deepen your knowledge and understanding of music and music education by studying the history of American music education, the sociological foundations of music in American education, and 21st century curriculum instruction and assessment strategies. Technology integration is the fourth foundation area of focus to meet the demands of teaching and learning with 21st century educational tools and resources.

• Sociological Foundations of Music Education (3c) 
• Curriculum and Assessment in Music Education (3c) 
• Integration of Technology in Music Education (3c) 
• Historical/Philosophical Foundations of Music Education (3c) 

Elective Coursework: 15 Credits 
You can customize your education and pursue other areas of study related to your educational needs and interests through elective coursework. These courses are rooted in application-based learning environments, both pedagogical and methodological studies in all genres of music education and production. Courses are subject to change from summer to summer.

Elective course content topics include 

• Alternative Ensembles
• Concert Band
• Conducting, Instrumental and Choral
• Drum Set
• General Music
• Guitar
• Instrument Repair, Band and Strings 
• Jazz Band
• Music Technology 
• Music Production    
• Orff Certification, Levels 1, 2, 3 
• Orff Supplemental Coursework 
• Songwriting 
• Strings and Orchestra 
• Vocal/Choral

Graduate Capstone Project/Thesis: 6 Credits 
The graduate capstone project/thesis is the culmination of learning and professional growth established in the degree program. It demonstrates mastery of the course of study through a well-designed and developed capstone project/thesis. Your synthesis of knowledge and skills will be exemplified through an original, creative and thoughtful capstone project and written thesis. 

Thesis/Project Development: Music Education will prepare you for the capstone project/thesis experience. You’ll develop the tools and knowledge to study and write a scholarly and research-based paper, addressing your topic of choice. You will choose Thesis: Music Education or Project: Music Education as the final course of the degree program. These courses are the capstone project/thesis submission courses that you’ll take during the semester you complete and submit your project/thesis. Note that you will choose between a traditional thesis and a capstone project/thesis as your final course.

• Thesis/Project Development: Music Education (3c)
• Thesis: Music Education (3c) or Project: Music Education (3c)

Explore the full curriculum.

Transfer Credits
Students who matriculate into the Music Education (MM) degree program may transfer up to six graduate level credits in music education toward the degree. These credits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the program director.

Students who have completed individual courses through the Summer Music Studies program may apply as many as six SMS credits to the elective component of the degree program.

Learn more about Summer Music Studies or email sms@uarts.edu with any questions.