Master of Music Degree Programs
MM Music Education
The Master of Music in music education is designed to provide teachers of music with in-depth training and experience in one of two areas of concentration: general music or conducting. The course of study in each of these areas aims to improve student expertise in handling instructional challenges and musical demands. Course content includes curriculum planning, lesson design, student motivation, use of technology and research, application of learning theory, techniques of recruitment, styles of administration, application of music theory and history, instructional and conducting techniques appropriate to various educational levels, score reading and analysis, and music literature. The degree leads to certification in Georgia and is accredited by both NASM and NCATE.
Admission Requirements
Regular admission — Students must satisfy the following four requirements:
- For the one-year program: either (1) hold a bachelor's degree in music education from an accredited college or university or (2) hold a bachelor's degree in some other music area from an accredited college or university (such as BM, BA, etc.) along with a Georgia teaching certificate or its equivalent from another state. For the two-year program: hold a bachelor's degree in some music area other than music education without a Georgia teaching certificate or its equivalent from another state.
- Present a minimum score of 800 on the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination or a minimum score of 44 on the Miller Analogies Test
- Present transcript(s) of all the student's undergraduate work that reveal at least a 2.75 grade point average on all work attempted for which a letter grade was awarded.
- Perform, either on videocassette or before an authorized Schwob Department of Music faculty member, an audition revealing basic skills in the student's chosen area of concentration: general music or conducting.
Provisional admission — Students must initially satisfy the following three requirements, then qualify for regular admission by the end of the first semester of attendance:
- For the one-year program: satisfy the requirement above for regular admission. For the two-year program: satisfy the requirement above for regular admission.
- Present a minimum score of 700 on the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination or a minimum score of 35 on the Miller Analogies Test
- Present transcript(s) of all the student's undergraduate work that reveal either (1) at least a 2.5 grade point average on all work attempted for which a letter grade was awarded, or (2) at least a 2.5 grade point average on the most recent 45 semester hours of work attempted for which a letter grade was awarded.
Students admitted on a provisional basis may retain this status for one semester only, during which they must qualify for regular admission by completing the appropriate requirement(s) as follows: (1) perform and pass the required audition, if not previously passed and/or (2) if admitted with provisional level GRE or Miller Analogies Test scores, enroll as a full-time student taking required course work and complete the semester with a grade of B or better.
Non-degree admission — Students who undertake graduate work at the university without meeting all the requirements for regular or provisional admission are placed in non-degree status. Such students who subsequently satisfy all the regular admission requirements may apply a maximum of nine semester hours of this course work toward degree requirements.
Proficiency Requirements
Students pursuing the Master of Music Education degree must satisfy three proficiency requirements, two in music and one in education. The two music proficiencies must be passed before enrolling for the final semester of study. The education proficiency must be passed before a teaching certificate can be issued. Students may receive assistance in preparation for examination or re-examination or any of these proficiencies by enrolling in appropriate courses at the undergraduate level without credit toward the master's degree.
Music proficiency requirements — (1) pass a keyboard examination (administered immediately prior to the beginning of each semester) demonstrating facility at the keyboard equivalent to that required to complete MUSA 3000, and (2) pass an aural skills examination (administered immediately prior to the beginning of each semester) demonstrating proficiency in sight singing and rhythm drills equivalent to those required to complete MUSC 3000.
Education proficiency requirement — pass the PRAXIS II examination.
Independent Study
No more than six semester hours of independent study or special topics may be applied toward meeting requirements for the Master of Music in Music Education degree.
Credit by Transfer
A maximum of nine semester hours of applicable graduate work from an accredited graduate music program may be accepted toward the Master of Music in Music Education degree, provided the credit was earned not more than seven years prior to the date of completion of this degree. Any number of semester hours of applicable undergraduate work transferred from an accredited undergraduate music program may be accepted toward the first year of the two-year program for this degree. The Schwob Department of Music will accept or reject proposed transfer credits based on the applicability of the credit to this degree program.
Course Load
The maximum course load for a student pursuing the Master of Music in Music Education degree is 12 semester hours. The maximum for the full summer term is 10 semester hours.
Application for Graduation
Students pursuing the Master of Music in Music Education degree must apply for graduation to the Office of the Registrar one semester prior to completion of degree requirements. Approval of the application is contingent upon:
- successful completion of the curriculum in one of the areas of concentration (general music or conducting)
- achievement of a 3.0 grade point average calculated on all course work submitted for the degree (both undergraduate and graduate if pursuing the two-year program)
- receipt of no more that seven credit hours of Cs in courses submitted for the degree
- submission of no course work for which credit was received earlier than seven years prior to the projected date of graduation
- submission of no more than nine semester hours of graduate course work by transfer
- submission of no more than six semester hours of independent study or special topics
- recommendation for conferral of the degree by the Schwob Department of Music
Curriculum
Students seeking the Master of Music in Music Education degree must satisfactorily complete a prescribed course of studies of at least 36 semester hours numbered 5000 or above: 20 semester hours of professional core courses, 14 semester hours of area of concentration courses, and two semester hours of electives. Students who desire a teaching certificate and who have not taken SPED 3255 or its equivalent, must take SPED 5205 as their two semester hours of electives.
Course Requirements
Students with an undergraduate music major in an area other than music education must enroll in the two-year program and complete the following 31 semester hours of course work prior to enrolling in courses at the 5000 level or above:
- EDUF 2215 The American Educational Experience
- EDUF 2216 Human Development, Motivation and Learning
- EDUF 4115 Classroom Management
- MUSE 3202 Intermediate Conducting
- MUSE 4205 Elementary School Music Methods
- MUSE 4485 Student Teaching
- MUSE 4795 Seminar in Music Education
- SPED 4255 Instructional Strategies for Children and Youth with Disabilities, Gifts, and Talents
- Select one of the following courses:
- MUSE 4206 Secondary School Choral Methods
- MUSE 4207 Secondary School Instrumental Methods
Area 1 Professional Core - Required Hours: 20
- EDUF 6115 Educational Psychology
- EDUF 6215 Research in Education
- MUSC 5140 Music Theory Survey
- MUSC 5225 Music History Survey
- MUSC 5245 Music Technology
- MUSE 6485 Graduate Music Project
- MUSE 6795 Seminar in Music Education
Area 2 Program Concentration - Required Hours: 14
Conducting Option
- MUSC 6205 Score Analysis
- MUSA 6251 Graduate Conducting 1
- MUSA 6252 Graduate Conducting 2
- Select one of the following courses:
- MUSE 6215 Introduction to Vocal Pedagogy
- MUSE 6216 Teaching Wind Instruments
- MUSE 6217 Teaching String Instruments
- Select one of the following courses:
- MUSE 6218 Choral Literature Survey
- MUSE 6219 Wind Ensemble Literature Survey
- MUSE 6220 Orchestral Literature Survey
- Select one of the following courses:
- MUSP 7355 Orchestral Ensemble Activities (twice)
- MUSP 7356 Vocal Ensemble Activities (twice)
- MUSP 7357 Wind Ensemble Activities (twice)
General Music Option
- MUSE 6225 Teaching Elementary Music
- MUSE 6226 Teaching Middle School Music
- MUSE 6227 Development of the Child's Voice
- Select three semester hours of electives in music from the following:
- MUSE 6215 Introduction to Vocal Pedagogy
- MUSE 6216 Teaching Wind Instruments
- MUSE 6217 Teaching String Instruments
- MUSE 6218 Choral Literature Survey
- MUSE 6219 Wind Ensemble Literature Survey
- MUSE 6220 Orchestral Literature Survey
- Select one of the following:
- MUSP 7355 Orchestra Ensemble Activities (twice)
- MUSP 7356 Vocal Ensemble Activities (twice)
- MUSP 7357 Wind Ensemble Activities (twice)
Area 3 Electives - Required Hours: 2
- (SPED 3255, if not taken previously)
Total Hours Required 36
MM Piano Pedagogy
The Master of Music in piano pedagogy is designed to provide pianists with extensive experience in, and understanding of, the teaching-learning process and its direct application to music study at the piano. The course of study includes techniques and materials appropriate for use in both group and private instruction at pre-college and college levels, as well as extensive experience with piano preparatory department development and management.
General Academic Requirements for Admission
Applicants for admission must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and have earned a minimum 2.75 grade point average calculated on all work attempted for which a letter grade was awarded.
Music Requirements for Admission
Applicants for admission must fulfill the following requirements in music:
- Piano performance — pass a qualifying audition before a committee from the piano faculty. The audition must include representative works, one of which must be considered major, from all the following musical periods: Baroque, Classic, Romantic, and Twentieth Century
- Piano pedagogy — present evidence of undergraduate work in piano pedagogy equivalent to the requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree in piano pedagogy at Columbus State University. Students may meet this requirement by taking MUSE 6231 - Piano Pedagogy 1, and MUSE 6232 - Piano Pedagogy 2.
- Music theory — present evidence of undergraduate work in music theory equivalent to the requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree at Columbus State University. Students may satisfy deficiencies by taking prescribed course work.
- Music history — present evidence of undergraduate work in music history equivalent to the requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree at Columbus State University. Students may satisfy deficiencies by taking prescribed course work.
Provisional Admission — At the discretion of the program director, applicants who satisfy all of the music requirements for admission but do not meet the general academic admission requirement, may be granted provisional admission provided they can present a minimum earned grade point average of 2.2 on all work attempted. Students admitted on a provisional basis may retain this status for one semester only, during which they must qualify for regular admission by enrolling as full-time students taking required course work and completing each course with a minimum grade of B.
Program of Study
An approved program of study will be formulated for each student by the program director.
Application for Graduation
Applications for degree conferral must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar one semester prior to completion of degree requirements. Approval of an application for the Master of Music degree in piano pedagogy is contingent upon successful completion of the degree program and recommendation for the degree by the Schwob Department of Music.
In addition, the following requirements for completion of the Master of Music degree in piano pedagogy must be met:
- a minimum 3.0 grade point average calculated on all graduate work attempted with a maximum of seven credit hours of Cs
- a maximum of nine semester hours of transfer credit can be applied toward the degree
- all degree requirements must be completed within seven years of acceptance in the program
Course Requirements
Area 1 Program Core - Required Hours: 32
- MUSA 6000 Solo Recital, Chamber Music Recital, or Major Presentation
- MUSA 7000 Graduate Lecture Recital
- MUSE 7231 Piano Pedagogy 1
- MUSE 7232 Piano Pedagogy 2
- MUSE 7241 Teaching Class Piano at the University Level 1
- MUSE 7242 Teaching Class Piano at the University Level 2
- MUSE 7795 Performance Seminar 1
- MUSE 7796 Performance Seminar 2
- Eight semester hours of MUSA (piano - 6000 level or above)
- Four semester hours of MUSP (5000 level or above)
Area 2 Electives - Required Hours: 4
- 5000 level or above
Total Hours Required 36
