Jenny Neff, Program Director
jeneff@uarts.edu
215.717.6090
C O N T E N T S
Description
The program is designed for music teachers desiring a Master of Music degree and others interested in studying music education at the graduate level. The degree can be completed in as few as three to four summers but must be completed within seven years of matriculation. This course of study is a summer only master’s degree. This program does not lead to PDE certification.
Foundational courses provide the intellectual bases for music education as a professional praxis. Studying music and music education through the perspective of the four foundational pillars of discipline inquiry (history, psychology, sociology, and philosophy) provides differing, competing, and complementary viewpoints of “what was,” “what is,” and “what ought to be.” All undergraduate teacher preparation programs require coursework in psychology, and therefore are not included in the MM foundations sequence.
Content coursework allows students to pursue domains of learning in correlation to their educational needs and interests. The Content Electives encourages customization of the degree through advising as well as the optimization of learning experiences for students enrolled in this degree program. The content coursework is rooted in application-based environments in pedagogical and methodological learning. Private lessons may also be structured as content electives with advisor approval.
The Graduation Project/Thesis is the culmination of learning and professional growth established as an outcome of MM studies in Music Education, and demonstrates mastery of the course of study through a well-designed and developed thesis or project. The student’s synthesis of knowledge and skills will be exemplified through the creation of an original, creative and thoughtful presentation. Through advisement, students will choose a research-based Thesis or Application Project.
Program Objectives
Students graduating with a Master of Music in Music Education will:
- Understand the foundations of current music and education trends
- Design, employ and deliver quality instructional, curriculum and assessment approaches to learning and student growth
- Utilize effective pedagogical methods to support student musicianship
- Utilize effective technological means to support student creativity through music
- Understand the sociological impacts and importance of music in education
- Possess the foundational background knowledge of the historical and philosophical importance of music in education
- Evolve as creative and innovative musicians who share these musical strengths with their learners through teaching
- Understand, in a more sophisticated means, the diverse cultural, communal, sociological, psychological and learning needs of 21st century students
Program Requirements (33 credits)
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