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Music Education

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Teaching music in schools is an exciting professional choice that can bring a lifetime of satisfaction and artistic fulfillment. Toward that end, the BYU School of Music offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education. Students may pursue bachelor’s degrees and teaching certification in general music education as well as secondary choral and secondary instrumental music education. Master of Arts and Master of Music degrees in music education are also offered.

Like all music majors, undergraduate students in the music education division participate in BYU performing ensembles and complete the music core curriculum. In addition, music education majors take a wide range of classes and participate in a wealth of unique experiences that prepare them for teaching all grade levels and programs within their chosen specialty area. Music education majors engage in ongoing practical teaching opportunities in the public schools, beginning with their first semester in the program. Students are supervised by a dedicated team of nationally renowned music education faculty members, each bringing a distinctive specialty and perspective to the division. Graduates of the BYU music education program are actively sought by employers because of their superb preparation and can be found teaching in schools throughout the United States and Canada.

Degrees Offered

Music Education

K-12 General Music

Music Education

K-12 Instrumental

Music Education

K-12 Choral

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This program is designed for licensed music teachers with at least one year of successful public school teaching experience who wish to pursue further academic study as a means to develop professionally. Coursework combines the study of philosophical, research-based, and theoretical views of teaching and learning music with pragmatic approaches to improving instruction. Outcomes of our program include students demonstrating increased ability as: informed, reflective educators/practitioners; emerging scholars; and improved musicians.

Although the MA degree is offered, all students enter the program through the MM degree. After the first term of study, through a joint decision of the student and the faculty, a student may transfer into the MA program if he or she wishes to follow the path leading to a thesis. The culmination of the MM degree is the professional improvement project. A masters degree leading to teaching licensure is not offered. Available for summers-only or full-time study.

Our masters programs consist of 32 hours, including coursework and a final document (Personal Improvement Project for the MM; Thesis for the MA). The coursework is usually done over the course of three to four summers, with occasional classes taken after hours during the school year if possible. Very limited spots for full-time study are available. However, all programs begin with a summer term. The timeframe for completion of the degree depends on the diligence of the student in completing the final exams and final document.

MM AND MA DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

All students coming into the program are to apply to the MM Degree. After the first term of study, through a joint decision of the student and the faculty, a student may transfer into the MA degree if he or she wishes to follow the path leading to completing a thesis.

MM DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (32 HOURS)

PREREQUISITEbaccalaureate degree in music education, music teaching license, at least one year of successful teaching experience in public schools.
CREDIT HOURS (32)minimum 28 course work hours plus 4 professional improvement project hours (Music 698A, 698B).
REQUIRED COURSES

Music 501—Music Education Research Techniques (2 hours)Music 560R—Performance Instruction (4)673—Historical and Social Foundations of Music Education (2)

674—Philosophical and Aesthetic Foundations of Music Education (2)

675—Theories of Music Learning and Motivation (2)

698A—Master’s Project (2)

698B—Master’s Project (2)

Choral Emphasis

—OR—

Instrumental Emphasis

EXAMINATIONS(A) comprehensive written examination; (B) final oral exam and defense of Project.
  • Electives (10 hours)
  • Music 533R—Choral Conducting and Development (6 hours)
  • Electives (8 hours)
  • Music 595—Score Analysis (2 hours)
  • Choice of 6 hours from:
    • Music 508—Orchestra Literature 1 (2)
    • Music 509—Orchestra Literature 2 (2)
    • Music 510—Band Literature (2)
    • Music 532R—Score Preparation and Development: Band (2)
    • Music 534R—Score Preparation and Direction: Jazz (2)

MA DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (32 HOURS)

PREREQUISITEbaccalaureate degree in music education, music teaching license, at least one year of successful teaching experience in public schools.
CREDIT HOURS (32)minimum 26 course work hours plus 6 thesis hours (Music 699R).
REQUIRED COURSES

Music 501—Music Education Research Techniques (2 hours)Music 672—Psychology of Music (2)Music 673—Historical and Social Foundations of Music Education (2)

Music 674—Philosophical and Aesthetic Foundations of Music Education (2)

Music 675—Theories of Music Learning and Motivation (2)

Music 698A—Master’s Project (2)

Music 699R Thesis (6)

Stat 510, Anth 442 or other appropriate research course outside of music approved by adviser (3)

Electives: 9 hours from graduate courses in or outside the music field.

Choral Emphasis: Music 533R—Choral Conducting and Development (2)

—OR—

Instrumental Emphasis: Music 595—Score Analysis (2)

EXAMINATIONS:(A) comprehensive written examination; (B) final oral exam and defense of Thesis.

Graduate Studies

Program Information