Academic Programs Catalog

College of Music

Graduate Study

Music Education - Master of Music

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Music students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted to the Master of Music degree program in Music Education on regular status, an applicant must have a bachelor's degree in music education from a recognized educational institution, or have completed the courses in music education that are required for the Bachelor of Music degree in music education at Michigan State University or their equivalents.

Requirements for the Master of Music Degree in Music Education

The program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis).  A total of 30 credits is required for the degree under Plan A or Plan B.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B

1. Complete four of the following courses in music education (12 credits):
MUS 860 Philosophical Considerations in Music Education 3
MUS 861 Seminar in Psychology of Music Education 3
MUS 862 Seminar in Music Curriculum and Methodology 3
MUS 863 Seminar in the Sociology of Music Education 3
MUS 864 Research in Music Education 3
2. Complete a minimum of 10 credits including:
a. A minimum of 3 credits in graduate courses in musicology.
b. A minimum of 3 credits in graduate courses in music theory.
c. A minimum of 2 credits in graduate courses in music performance or music conducting.
d, A minimum of 2 credits of 800-level courses in music conducting, music performance, composition, music theory, or musicology.
3. Complete 4 additional credits in graduate courses within or outside the College of Music.
4.  A student who completes fewer than 1 credit of music performance in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Music degree with a major in music education must pass a performance test on an instrument or in voice. The test will be administered by one faculty member in music education and one faculty member in either instrumental or vocal music performance.
5. Participate in music activities during two semesters or two summer sessions of enrollment in the program.  The activities must be approved by the student's academic advisor and must be selected from band, chorus, jazz band, and orchestra.

Additional Requirements for Plan A

  1. Complete the following course:
     MUS    899    Master's Thesis Research (4)
  2. Complete and submit a thesis under the direction of a member of the music education faculty that is acceptable to the final oral certifying committee consisting of the student’s thesis advisor, another member from the music education area, and a faculty member from music faculty. A copy of the thesis must be submitted to the Graduate School and to the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and will be retained as part of the permanent degree record.

Additional Requirements for Plan B

  1. Complete 4 additional credits in graduate courses in music education.
  2. Pass a 3–hour written comprehensive examination administered by the final oral   certifying committee consisting of the student’s thesis advisor, another member from the music education area, and a faculty member from music faculty.
Academic Standards

A grade of 3.0 or higher is required for Music 899.