Music
Advance your music education career and gain leadership skills and expertise in pedagogy, research, and advocacy.
Music, Music Education Concentration, M.M.
The fully online Master of Music degree program with a music education concentration is designed for music educators who are currently teaching in K-12 music settings and intended to provide them with tools and perspectives to pursue positions of leadership in the field of music education, specifically in the areas of pedagogy, research, and advocacy. All courses are delivered entirely in a distance learning environment. Courses encourage students to use their current teaching contexts to generate perspectives on philosophy and pedagogy while learning to apply new resources and frameworks. Graduates will gain experiences with conducting and consuming research appropriate for pursuit of terminal degrees. Further, they will develop an awareness of issues and tools regarding music and education and will be equipped to lead in responding to professional challenges.
News Briefs
Connections made at MTSU helps graduate land dream job
Margie Way-Kiani credits some of the connections she made at MTSU for helping her land her dream job. Way-Kiani teaches general music and has four orchestras with students ranging from sixth to twelfth grades at Central Magnet School — just blocks away from where she earned her degrees. "I have my dream job at 27, which I think is pretty incredible, and I consider myself very fortunate," she said. While attending MTSU from 2011 to 2015 for her bachelor's degree, and again later for her master's, Way-Kiani spoke highly of her student teaching opportunities and her highly esteemed professors. "I would tell anyone considering the Master of Music in Music Education at MTSU to do it. They will have an incredible group of faculty members to push and support them."
Supportive professors helped teacher get where she's at today
Rutherford County native, and now elementary school music specialist and adjunct professor at MTSU, Alexis Derryberry credits her undergraduate professors for pushing her in college and ultimately helping her get where she's at today. "My professors saw in me things that I didn't even know I had within me, and for that, I will forever be grateful," she said. While working full-time, Derryberry decided to return to MTSU to pursue her master's degree in Music Education. "What is absolutely unique and amazing about the professors in the music education program is that your music education professors have all been in the classroom. They know and understand the unique challenges that you deal with every day. They are supportive and want you to succeed."
News Briefs
Connections made at MTSU helps graduate land dream job
Margie Way-Kiani credits some of the connections she made at MTSU for helping her land her dream job. Way-Kiani teaches general music and has four orchestras with students ranging from sixth to twelfth grades at Central Magnet School — just blocks away from where she earned her degrees. "I have my dream job at 27, which I think is pretty incredible, and I consider myself very fortunate," she said. While attending MTSU from 2011 to 2015 for her bachelor's degree, and again later for her master's, Way-Kiani spoke highly of her student teaching opportunities and her highly esteemed professors. "I would tell anyone considering the Master of Music in Music Education at MTSU to do it. They will have an incredible group of faculty members to push and support them."
Supportive professors helped teacher get where she's at today
Rutherford County native, and now elementary school music specialist and adjunct professor at MTSU, Alexis Derryberry credits her undergraduate professors for pushing her in college and ultimately helping her get where she's at today. "My professors saw in me things that I didn't even know I had within me, and for that, I will forever be grateful," she said. While working full-time, Derryberry decided to return to MTSU to pursue her master's degree in Music Education. "What is absolutely unique and amazing about the professors in the music education program is that your music education professors have all been in the classroom. They know and understand the unique challenges that you deal with every day. They are supportive and want you to succeed."
Music, Music Education Concentration, M.M.
Alumni from the School of Music teach thousands of students every day in private studios and schools from kindergarten through university levels. MTSU graduates perform in orchestras, military ensembles, and opera companies; appear in clubs and recording studios with the famous and yet-to-be-known; compose music for Hollywood films and commercial jingles; lead professional music organizations; work in the music industry; serve as church musicians; and continually enrich the lives of others. Some continue on to enter prestigious doctoral programs. A sample of potential professional pathways for music master’s students:
- Artistic director
- Band director/leader
- Choral/choir director
- Church musician/worship leader
- College professor/instructor
- Conductor
- General music teacher at elementary/middle schools
- Music educator
- Music theater director
- Musical director
- Orchestra librarian
- Studio musician
Employers of MTSU alumni include
- Bellevue Middle School
- Belmont University
- Cane Ridge High School
- Case Western Reserve University
- Chattanooga Symphony
- Cumberland University
- The Downtown Band
- Earl Klugh (Grammy winner)
- EMBRA Artists, LTD.
- Fairview Middle School
- Jeff Coffin (Grammy winner)
- Jonathan Fletcher Music
- Lipscomb University
- MEINL Percussion
- Middle Tennessee State University
- Murfreesboro City Schools
- Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra
- Nashville State Community College
- Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Old Center Elementary School, Nashville
- Onks Woodwind Specialist
- Siegel Middle School
- Trevecca Nazarene University
- University of Louisiana-Lafayette
- University of Northern Colorado
- Vine Street Christian Church, Nashville
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake.
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
Brochures
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Music in Education degree program requires
- an earned bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited university or college;
- an acceptable grade point average in all college work taken (at least 3.00).
Additionally, those seeking a specialization in music education must be concurrently teaching in a K-12 music setting while enrolled in the program.
Application Procedures
All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.
Applicants must
- Submit application with the appropriate application fee. Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
- Submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
- Submit three letters of recommendation.
Additionally, please submit a link to a 30-minute teaching video (in English) to [email protected].
Resources
- Graduate Studies Information Sheet
- To Be Admitted
- Financial Assistance
- Music History Diagnostic Exam (Not applicable for Music Education concentration)
- Music Theory Diagnostic Exam (Not applicable for Music Education concentration)
Links
- Reference Forms
- Graduate Students in Music
- Ensembles
- Facilities
- Student Utilities
- Faculty by Field of Study
- Visiting Faculty
Libraries
Public Accountability Notice
Middle Tennessee State University has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1970.
To see data about the program, please visit this webpage: https://planeffectiveness.mtsu.edu/master_music/.
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