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Degree Programs

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education is for students who wish to be certified to teach music in public schools. The undergraduate program was revised substantially in 2001 to provide a more comprehensive, real-world preparation for music educators. The B.M. in Music Education, like teacher education programs at Michigan State University, is a five-year program.

Undergraduate classes include frequent opportunities to observe and teach in area schools. Students develop a strong base of musicianship through four years of private lessons, four years of ensemble participation, two and one-half years of music theory and aural skills training, two years of musicology (e.g., music history, world music, music literature), one year of creative musicianship (e.g., composition, improvisation, arranging, chamber music), one year of class piano, and 10 credits of instrument and voice classes (e.g. clarinet, guitar, percussion).

Music education courses begin in the freshman year. From the freshman year on, students begin observing model teachers in school settings and practicing their own skills as teachers in real classrooms and ensembles. All students take two semesters of conducting, at least one ensemble teaching specialty (band, strings, choral), at least one classroom music teaching specialty (elementary or secondary), and select from a variety of elective methods courses, such as preschool music and marching band methods.

The Master of Music in Music Education is designed for excellent music teachers who want to further develop their knowledge and skills as educators. Graduate courses are taught in a collegial seminar format one evening per week to enable full-time teachers to pursue their education during the school year. There is also a popular four-summer Masters program available. The masters curriculum includes a core of four music education courses (curriculum, psychology, philosophy, research), music courses and workshops (history, theory, conducting/performance), and elective courses and workshops. Students may select from two degree options: (a) 26 credits of courses plus complete a thesis, or (b) 30 credits of courses plus a comprehensive examination.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education is for outstanding candidates with a minimum of three years' teaching experience who wish to prepare for a collegiate position in music education or a leadership position in the public schools. Course work includes a common core of doctoral classes in philosophy, quantitative research, qualitative research, measurement, and music learning (psychology or curriculum development). In addition doctoral students specialize in one area of music through a nine-credit cognate in music (e.g., performance, conducting, music therapy, composition, musicology, music theory), and also take elective courses. One special emphasis of the program is the development of professional competencies in college teaching and scholarship.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Music
Master of Music
Doctor of Philosophy