Innovation in research paradigm and theory

Our Music Education area has been a center of leadership and creativity. It was among the first graduate programs in music education to embrace interpretive (qualitative) research, and its current faculty continues a tradition of innovation in research paradigm and theory, specializing in the emerging areas of revisionist history, ethnography, critical textual and discourse analysis, semiotics, iconography, policy studies, and action research.

Degrees offered

The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) and Master of Music (M.M.) are offered through the School of Music. The Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) are offered through the Department of Curriculum & Instruction.

Bachelor of Music (B.M.)

Bachelor of Music in Music Education Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements

Please see information on the School of Music application process.

For admission, you will audition on your major instrument or voice for the appropriate faculty. Please visit Areas of Study for audition requirements for your instrument or voice.

Prospective music education students whose main instrument is piano or guitar must audition on a second instrument (voice or a band/orchestral instrument) at this time as well.

Master of Music (M.M.)

The Master of Music in Music Education is offered through the School of Music.

Students who want to emphasize music content are advised to enroll in the M.M. program, while those who want to explore music education within the context of education at large are directed toward the M.S.

All students are encouraged to cross disciplines and to experience the rich educational opportunities provided in both schools, as well as those offered by other departments throughout the university.

Admissions

Applicants for the Master of Music degree must have an undergraduate degree in Music Education and three full years of preK-12 school music teaching experience (public or private).

Please see the Graduate Admissions page for detailed information on application requirements. Be sure to review the Graduate Application Guide as well as the additional information for the Music Education area. Please note that no audition or interview is required.

Degree Requirements

See M.M. Music Education degree worksheet for details. This is the document your advisor will use to keep track of your degree progress.
For detailed information on exams, recitals, etc., please visit the Graduate Advising KnowledgeBase. Be sure to check out the School of Music Graduate Student Handbook.

Note: The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree with a concentration in music education is offered through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Top-notch music education scholars

Our Music Education program has been home to some of the finest music education scholars and teachers in the world. The following research areas are of particular interest to the faculty: Policy issues and their influence on music education; equity issues (i.e., issues concerning gender, race, social class, sexuality and ability/disability) in music education; revisionist historical analysis of music education in the United States; relationships between popular culture and music education; and philosophical questions in music education.