Master of Music (MM) in Music Education

This major is designed for students who are ready to think deeply and critically about music education and its changing landscape, and are ready to take on the challenge of creating a positive musical future for children, families, schools, and communities around the world.

Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an MM in Music Education are expected to be able to:

• Design and develop curricula and assessments to meet the diverse musical and educational needs and interests of students in a particular musical ecology.
• Demonstrate awareness of theoretical, philosophical, and historical traditions that have shaped music education curricula and situate curricula within these influences.
• Articulate a sound rationale for a specific music education curriculum that draws upon scholarly literature.

MM candidates must complete the following course (4 units):

• Theoretical and Cultural Applications in Music Education

This class is designed to provide students with content and pedagogical information about music history, music theory, and performance, and how to apply this knowledge in the classroom.

MM candidates must complete two out of three of the following courses (8 units):

• History & Philosophy in Music Education: Perspectives and Practice
• Psychology & Sociology in Music Education: Perspectives and Applications
• Introduction to Music Education Research

Students may take 16 units of approved electives. The electives provide students with the opportunity to design a program that meets their own individual needs and professional interests. For example, students may focus on such areas as music history, musicology, ethnomusicology, choral or instrumental conducting, music technology, curriculum development, musical performance, and/or theoretical analysis. All students in this program are required to complete a capstone curriculum development project.

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Degree Requirements

The Master of Music in Music Education degree is granted upon successful completion of a program of study and a terminal curriculum project appropriate to the student’s field of specialization. Students must complete a minimum of 32 term units with grades no lower than B– in graduate-level coursework and a GPI/GPA of 3.0. All degree requirements must be completed within five years of the date of matriculation.

Program of Study

This program is designed for applicants who already possess a teaching license or simply want to learn more about music education but do not desire licensure to teach in American primary and secondary schools.

CFA ME 750 Theoretical and Cultural Applications in Music Education	4 units
CFA ME 799 Curriculum in Music Education: Vision and Design	4 units
Approved electives (course numbers vary)	16 units
Select 2 of the following courses:	8 units
CFA ME 701 History & Philosophy in Music Education: Perspectives and Practice
CFA ME 702 Psychology & Sociology in Music Education: Perspectives and Applications
CFA ME 711 Introduction to Music Education Research
Total units	32 units

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Master of Music Comprehensive Review

A satisfactory comprehensive review or examination is required for graduation. The faculty in each major area determines standards for this review and its format, and conducts the evaluation. In each case, the comprehensive review concentrates on the major area and other related fields. Unsatisfactory performance on this review may require remedial work and/or a repetition of the review after counseling with the student’s advisor. CFA ME 799 Curriculum in Music Education: Vision and Design fulfills this requirement.

Master of Music (MM) with Initial Licensure in Massachusetts

This licensure program is for students who hold undergraduate degrees in music with majors other than music education and who wish to become music teachers in primary and secondary schools. This program is approved for initial licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Students from other states will need to check with their state education departments regarding requirements for licensure in their states. The applicant must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a major in music consisting of a minimum of 132 units.

Students who want to earn a license to teach in public schools in Massachusetts must take additional coursework to meet the requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Due to the integration of off-campus pre-practicum experiences alongside on-campus coursework, applicants should be aware that this is a full-time program that takes place during the day to allow for fieldwork in local schools. Typically, this program is completed over 5 terms (2.5 years). Individuals who currently hold a Provisional License in the state of Massachusetts and are seeking Initial Licensure should reach out to the Music Education department for course availability information prior to applying to the program. This coursework will vary depending upon courses that may have been completed in a student’s undergraduate program; however, a typical course of study is offered below:

CFA ME 750 Theoretical and Cultural Applications in Music Education	4 units
CFA ME 799 Curriculum in Music Education: Vision and Design	4 units
CFA ME 506 Elementary General Music Methods	4 units
CFA ME 507 Secondary General Music Methods	2 units
CFA ME 544 Technology for Musicians	2 units
CFA ME 582 Access and Equity in Music Education	1 unit
CFA ME 640 Music Education Lab Instrumental, Intermediate	3 units
CFA ME 642 Music Education Lab Instrumental, Advanced	3 units
CFA ME 531 Music Education Lab Choral: Elem/Mid	3 units
CFA ME 631 Music Education Lab Choral: High School	3 units
Select 2 of the following courses:	8 units
CFA ME 611 Practicum 1 K–5
CFA ME 612 Practicum 2 5–8
CFA ME 613 Practicum 3 8–12
Select 2 of the following courses:	8 units
CFA ME 701 History & Philosophy in Music Education: Perspectives and Practice
CFA ME 702 Psychology & Sociology in Music Education: Perspectives and Applications
CFA ME 711 Introduction to Music Education Research
Total units	45 units