Music Education Concentration (Initial Licensure)

Introducing the newly redesigned Music Education Graduate Curriculum for Traditional (on-ground) and Low-Residency (on-line) course offerings.

This program is designed to meet the needs of musicians seeking to enter the field of professional music education. To audition, candidates must submit a video of a current teaching scenario and a recent writing sample. The writing sample is commonly a Philosophy of Music Education statement, but other scholarly documents are acceptable. Candidates for the initial licensure program should contact the department with questions regarding audition requirements. 

Upon entry into the program, students will consult with a graduate faculty member to design a graduate Program of Study based on the student’s undergraduate courses and professional goals. The Program of Study must be designed and approved in consultation with an appointed graduate faculty member or the graduate committee, and submitted to the College of Graduate studies by the end of the first full semester of study (If an Admission to Candidacy/Program of Study/Committee Assignment form is not filed by the end of the first semester (excluding summer terms), a hold will be placed on the student’s registration by the Registrar’s Office). 

Diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory are given to all entering graduate students. Results of this exam assist the faculty in planning appropriate courses in the student’s program of study. Students who earn unsatisfactory scores may be permitted to enroll in up to six hours of graduate course work, but will be blocked from continuing further until deficiencies are fulfilled. For initial licensure students, deficiencies may be fulfilled by enrolling in the appropriate theory or history courses as prescribed by the graduate committee. No graduate credit will be awarded for courses that are taken to fulfill a deficiency in either the traditional or low-residency program.

Note: All deficiencies must be fulfilled by the end of the first semester of graduate study (excluding summer semester) so that the deadline for filing the Program of Study can be met.

Students who wish to pursue both a Master of Music Degree with a concentration in Music Education AND INITIAL LICENSURE must complete six additional courses in education. Further, students must complete any undergraduate music education deficiencies. There are two options: (1) pass the Praxis II music exam (Test 0114 [paper-delivered exam] or Test 5114 [computer-delivered exam] Music Content and Instruction with a minimum score of 162; OR (2) successfully complete the following courses and proficiencies: MUS 2240 Foundations of Music Education, MUS 3255 Elementary Music Methods, MUS 4380 or MUS 4260 (Choral Methods or Secondary Instrumental Music Methods), MUS 3810 or MUS 3820 (Choral or Instrumental Conducting). Instrumentalists must pass the instrumental proficiency examinations for strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion or successfully complete classes in these instructional methods.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program is required for those seeking initial licensure concurrent with enrollment in the graduate program. Documentation of progress through a series of assessments in an electronic portfolio (LiveText) is required as well as a one-semester student teaching experience. Consult the College of Education link to Graduate Milestone Assessment (https://www.apsu.edu/education/2010/gradmilestones).*

Courses marked with (*) are offered online

Required Core:

Supportive Studies:

Music Education Courses

Select 9 hours from below, in consultation with music faculty (program of study must be approved by music graduate committee).

Education Courses required for licensure

Clinical Teaching