Online 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 they can 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.

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. The Master of Music in Music Education is a professional degree program that is available both on campus and online.

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 759 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 740 Introduction to Music Education Research
CFA ME 741 History & Philosophy in Music Education: Perspectives and Practice
CFA ME 742 Psychology & Sociology in Music Education: Perspectives and Applications
Total units 32 units

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 759 Curriculum in Music Education: Vision and Design fulfills this requirement for online students.

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