Master of Arts in Music Education

The Master of Arts in Music Education degree furthers Adams State University’s mission by providing educational opportunities for K-12 teachers to earn a master’s degree in music education at a reasonable cost. The Music Education master’s program furthers students’ musical and professional growth, enhances the success of the students they serve, and provides graduate coursework necessary for additional salary credit. The degree offers two tracks, using the cohort model. For the first track, all courses are delivered online. The second track is a combined online/on-campus program. Students in this track enroll in the same online core and supporting courses as the first track. Students in the second track choose an area of concentration in performance, composition, or conducting, in lieu of electives. These courses are delivered face-to-face and require a two semester residency in addition to the summer residency at the beginning of the degree program.

Admission Requirements

Students desiring to enroll in the Master of Arts degree program in Music Education must:

  1. hold a baccalaureate degree in music from an accredited institution or hold a baccalaureate degree in another subject and have a.) completed a state licensure program in music or b.) earned a passing grade on a state standardized licensure exam in music or music education, such as the Program for Licensing Assessments for Colorado Music Educators (PLACE), the Praxis exam, etc.
  2. have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 for the last 30 credit hours of the degree.

All applicants must submit the following information to the Department of Music, Adams State University, 208 Edgemont Blvd., Suite 3040, Alamosa, CO 81101.

  1. An application for admission to graduate study.
  2. A $30 non-refundable application fee.
  3. Unofficial transcripts verifying receipt of the baccalaureate degree. Official transcripts from all institutions attended are required by the Adams State Graduate School after acceptance.
  4. Letter of intent, approximately 1 page, discussing interests, background, the emphasis of interest, and professional goals.
  5. A philosophy of education essay, approximately 1 page, that will be used to assess writing skills for eligibility into the program.
  6. Resume – include academic, teaching, and professional musical experience.
  7. Two recent letters of reference including reference contact information that outline the student’s strengths and weaknesses, likely success in a graduate program, and what the student will bring to the field of music education. One letter should be from an immediate and/or current supervisor. Both letters should be dated.
  8. Students applying to the combined online/ on-campus program with a concentration in performance or conducting will audition in person or submit an audition CD/DVD. Students applying to the combined online/on-campus program with a concentration in composition will submit representative original compositions with their application.

The department chair will notify students of admission decisions.

Degree Requirements

  • Minimum degree requirements are 30 hours.
  • Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 throughout the degree.

All candidates for a master’s degree in music education must meet graduation requirements as set forth in the Adams State University Academic Catalog.

Music Education Online Track

Course Requirements (minimum 30 credits)

Required Core

  • MUED 565: Intro to Music Ed Research (3 hours)
  • MUED 567: Music Ed History & Philosophy (3 hours)
  • MUED 568: Soc & Psych of Music Ed (3 hours)
  • MUED 596: Music Ed Curriculum Project (3 hours)

Supportive Studies

  • MUED 503: Analytical Techniques (3 hours)
  • MUED 504: Composition and Arranging (3 hours)
  • MUED 534: Music Literature and Pedagogy (3 hours)

Additional Supportive Studies

  • MUED 521: World Music and Culture (3 hours)
  • MUED 523: Topics in Jazz and Rock (3 hours)
  • MUED 533: American Music History (3 hours)

Music Education Online/On-Campus Track with concentrations in:

  • Composition
  • Conducting
  • Performing

Course Requirements (minimum 30 credits)

Required Core

  • MUED 565: Intro to Music Ed Research (3 hours)
  • MUED 567: Music Ed History & Philosophy (3 hours)
  • MUED 568: Soc & Psych of Music Ed (3 hours)
  • MUED 596: Music Ed Curriculum Project (3 hours)

Supportive Studies

  • MUED 503: Analytical Techniques (3 hours)
  • MUED 504: Orchestration and Arranging (3 hours)
  • MUED 534: Music Literature and Pedagogy (3 hours)

Area of Concentration

  • MUED 540: Applied Lessons (2 hours)
  • MUED 541: Applied Lessons (2 hours)
  • Small Ensemble (2 credits total-courses may be repeated)
    • MUED 546: Jazz Ensemble (1 hours) OR MUED 548: Jazz Singers (1 hours) OR MUED 549: Chamber Ensemble (1 hours) OR MUED 555: Wind Ensemble (1 hours)
  • Large Ensemble (2 credits total-courses may be repeated)
    • MUED 545: Band (1 hours) OR MUED 547: Concert Choir (1 hours) OR MUED 550: Orchestra (1 hours)
  • MUED 595: Graduate Recital (1 hours)

An on-campus residency during the first two semesters of the program is required for completion of courses in the concentration area. Please contact Dr. Matthew Schildt (mschildt@adams.edu) with any questions.

Music Education Program