Music Education, MA
Degree: Master of Arts (MA)
Field of Study: Music Education
Program Overview
The Department of Music offers two distinct graduate pathways for individuals seeking to advance their careers in music education.
Master of Arts (MA) in Music Education
For individuals who hold an undergraduate degree in music education and a teaching license, and who have at least one year of classroom experience. This program supports advanced academic study and professional growth.
Master of Arts for Licensure (MAL) in Music Education
For individuals with an undergraduate degree in music (BA or BM) who wish to earn both a master's degree and a teaching license to teach music in the public schools.
Key Aspects
- Balanced Curriculum
Our well-rounded program integrates the study of philosophical, research-based, and theoretical approaches to teaching and learning music, alongside practical strategies for improving music education. - Flexible Study Options
Students complete either a final project thesis (Plan A) or a comprehensive exam (Plan B) to fulfill program requirements. - Dual Credential Option (MAL)
Students who choose this option simultaneously pursue a master's degree and P–12 licensure in music education. - Flexible Completion Timeline
Full-time students can complete the program in two years by taking three classes (9 credit units) per semester. Part-time students may take up to five years, taking one class (3 credit units) per semester.
Admission
Applicants with strong academic records from fully accredited universities and colleges are encouraged to apply to the School of Graduate Studies. Admission requires a recommendation from the department or professional school in which the applicant intends to study, and approval by the dean of graduate studies.
MA in Music Education
Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA from a completed undergraduate degree program in music education, a minimum of one year of successful school music teaching experience in group settings, evidence of strong written and spoken English skills, and a valid teaching license or certificate. After initial review, applicants may be invited to campus for an interview. The MA does not require a vocal or an instrumental audition.
MAL in Music Education
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in music (BA or BM) with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and prior experience in working with children. The MAL requires a vocal or an instrumental audition.
For more information, please refer to the Graduate Applications page.
Advising and Student Resources
- Graduate Music Handbook
A comprehensive guide to Department of Music policies, procedures, and deadlines. - Current Graduate Students Page
Access forms, exams, assistantships, travel, funding, and links to academic support services.
Graduate Policies
For graduate policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Each student works closely with a faculty advisor to design a personalized plan of study. All students complete a final written project and oral examination.
The MA in Music Education has two options:
Plan A: Thesis
Students conduct original research, write a thesis (6 credit units), and orally defend the thesis document to the music education faculty.
Requirements for Plan A: Thesis
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate music education core (Plan A) | 15 | |
| Scholarship in Music Education | ||
| Philosophical Foundations of Music Education | ||
| Curriculum and Assessment in Music Education | ||
| Music Cognition | ||
| Qualitative Research in Music Education | ||
or MUED 641 | Quantitative Research Methods in Music Education | |
| Graduate Music Core | 9 | |
| Musical Analysis for Educators | ||
| History of Music Pedagogy | ||
Music Electives: Courses in music theory, music history and/or applied music suited to the student's interests and needs, and approved by the music education faculty. (3 units) | ||
| Thesis | 6 | |
| Thesis (M.A. and M.M.) | ||
Successful oral defense of the thesis. | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Plan B: Comprehensive Exam
Students complete a comprehensive written exam (take-home and timed portions) and oral defense by week 10 of the final semester of coursework.
The exam process is outlined in the Music Graduate Handbook.
Requirements for Plan B: Comprehensive Exam
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Music Education Core (Plan B) | 12 | |
| Scholarship in Music Education | ||
| Philosophical Foundations of Music Education | ||
| Curriculum and Assessment in Music Education | ||
| Music Cognition | ||
| Graduate Music Core | 9 | |
| Musical Analysis for Educators | ||
| History of Music Pedagogy | ||
Music Electives: Courses in music theory, music history and/or applied music suited to the student's interests and needs, and approved by the music education faculty. (3 units) | ||
| Electives | 6 | |
Music education courses, seminars, and independent studies, and/or studies in a related field outside of music education (up to 6 credit units), suited to the student's interests and needs, and approved by the music faculty. | ||
| Degree Credit | 3 | |
| Additional course to fulfill Graduate Music Core or Electives requirement. | ||
| Comprehensive Exam | 0 | |
| Successful completion of the comprehensive written and oral exam. Both portions must be defended together and successfully no later than Week 10 of the final semester of coursework. | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Teacher Education and Licensure
Licensure programs at Case Western Reserve University are coordinated through Teacher Education (College of Arts and Sciences), the academic home for teacher preparation.
Students pursuing teacher licensure in music education must follow the policies and requirements outlined in the Teacher Education Handbook, which provides comprehensive guidance and essential structure throughout the licensure process.
The handbook includes information on:
- Admission and Retention Requirements
Details on GPA minimums, interviews, ePortfolio benchmarks, field experiences, and progression through Decision Points. - Program Outcomes
Aligned with Ohio’s Standards for the Teaching Profession (OSTP) and national InTASC standards, these outcomes define the competencies and expectations for teacher candidates. - Professional Conduct Expectations
Includes requirements for maintaining good moral character and ethical conduct in alignment with state licensure policies. - Student Teaching
Step-by-step guidance on applying for and for student teaching, including placement details, timelines, evaluation criteria, and required documentation. - Background Checks and Licensure Exams
Procedures for completing BCI and FBA background checks and registering for Ohio’s required licensure assessments (Ohio Assessments for Educators). - ePortfolio and edTPA
Information on digital portfolio development and submission of the edTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment), both essential components of the licensure recommendation process.
Note: Students are expected to regularly consult the Teacher Education Handbook and maintain close communication with their advisors and the licensure coordinator to ensure timely progress toward program completion and licensure.
MA for Licensure in Music Education
The MAL program spans six semesters and integrates graduate music education coursework with licensure requirements and student teaching. Students must complete a comprehensive oral exam (Plan B) by week 13 of the final semester of coursework, typically the semester before student teaching.
Additional requirements include:
- Piano proficiency (Basic Skills and Pedagogy requirement)
- Passing the Ohio Assessment for Educators exam
- Meeting state requirements, passing a criminal background check
- Eligibility to apply for an Ohio P-12 (transferable to other states)
Piano Proficiency Requirement
MAL students must demonstrate piano keyboard proficiency as part of the Basic Skills and Pedagogy requirement. Upon matriculation, students will take a Piano Proficiency Exam to assess fundamental keyboard skills. The results of this exam determine placement into appropriate coursework.
Students with limited experience will be placed into the MUSP Class Piano course sequence. While MUSP courses do not count toward the degree credit hour requirements, they are designed to build the keyboard proficiency necessary for enrollment in MUED 200J.
Students with advanced keyboard skills may be eligible to enroll directly in MUED 200J, when offered. This course focuses on keyboard skills essential for music educators, including open score reading and basic accompanying techniques.
Students whose primary instrument is piano may be eligible to waive the piano proficiency requirement, pending faculty approval.
Requirements for MA for Licensure
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Education Licensure Area | ||
| Methods | 16 | |
| Professional Music Education: A Career Introduction | ||
| Intensive Field Experience | ||
| Technology Assisted Music Teaching and Learning | ||
| World Music in Education | ||
| General Music Methods | ||
| Instrumental Methods and Materials | ||
or MUED 353 | Choral Methods and Materials | |
| Vernacular Music in Education | ||
| Piano Skill I, II, and III or proficiency exam | 0 | |
| Keyboard Skills I | ||
| Keyboard Skills II | ||
| Keyboard Skills III | ||
| Conducting | 3 | |
| Elements of Conducting | ||
| Secondary Instrument Classes (6 of 8 are required) a | 12 | |
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice | ||
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar | ||
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Brass | ||
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Clarinet and Saxophone | ||
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Double Reeds and Flute | ||
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Strings | ||
| Basic Skills & Pedagogy: Piano for Music Educators | ||
| Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion | ||
| Student Teaching | 12 | |
| Student Teaching in Music Education | ||
| Student Teaching Seminar in Music Education | ||
| Professional Education Core | 9 | |
| Introduction to Education | ||
| Educational Psychology | ||
| Literacy Across the Content Areas | ||
| Graduate Music Education Core | 12 | |
| Scholarship in Music Education | ||
| Philosophical Foundations of Music Education | ||
| Curriculum and Assessment in Music Education | ||
| Music Cognition | ||
| Graduate Music Core | 9 | |
| Musical Analysis for Educators | ||
| History of Music Pedagogy | ||
Music Elective: Courses in music theory (MUTH), music history (MUHI), or applied music (MUAP) suited to the student's interests. Faculty approval required. (3 units) | ||
| Comprehensive Exam | ||
| Successful completion of the comprehensive oral exam | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 73 | |
- a
See the Required Methods and Secondary Instrument Courses by Music Education Focus Area (Music Education, BS).
Sample Plans of Study
MA in Music Education for Licensure (MAL)
Because many courses are not offered every year, students should work closely with their faculty advisor and adhere to the following course sequence (sample plan of study) when completing the degree requirements.
Students Entering in Even Years
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MUED 200 course a | 2 | |
| MUED 410 | Professional Music Education: A Career Introduction | 1 |
| MUED 440 | Scholarship in Music Education | 3 |
| EDUC 401 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| MUED 442 | Curriculum and Assessment in Music Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUED 200 course a | 2 | |
| MUED 305 | World Music in Education | 3 |
| MUED 441 | Philosophical Foundations of Music Education | 3 |
| MUHI 430 | History of Music Pedagogy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 11 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUED 200A | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice b | 2 |
| MUED 200P | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion b | 2 |
| MUED 350 | General Music Methods | 3 |
| MUED 275 | Elements of Conducting | 3 |
| EDUC 255 | Literacy Across the Content Areas | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUED 200 course a | 2 | |
| MUED 355 | Vernacular Music in Education | 3 |
| MUED 420 | Technology Assisted Music Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| MUED 400 | Intensive Field Experience | 0 |
| MUED 443 | Music Cognition | 3 |
| MUTH 422 | Musical Analysis for Educators | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUED 200 course a | 2 | |
| MUED 352 or MUED 353 | Instrumental Methods and Materials or Choral Methods and Materials | 3 |
| MUED 400 | Intensive Field Experience | 0 |
| EDUC 404 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUED 496A | Student Teaching in Music Education | 9 |
| MUED 496B | Student Teaching Seminar in Music Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 73 | |
- a
Required by focus area.
- b
Students will need to take two MUED 200 courses in a single semester (prior to year 3) in order to complete the six-course requirement.
Students Entering in Odd Years
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MUED 200A | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice | 2 |
| MUED 275 | Elements of Conducting | 3 |
| MUED 410 | Professional Music Education: A Career Introduction | 1 |
| MUED 440 | Scholarship in Music Education | 3 |
| EDUC 401 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUED 200 course a | 2 | |
| MUED 305 | World Music in Education | 3 |
| MUED 420 | Technology Assisted Music Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| MUTH 422 | Musical Analysis for Educators | 3 |
| MUED 443 | Music Cognition | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUED 200B | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar b | 2 |
| MUED 200J | Basic Skills & Pedagogy: Piano for Music Educators b | 2 |
| MUED 350 | General Music Methods | 3 |
| MUED 442 | Curriculum and Assessment in Music Education | 3 |
| EDUC 255 | Literacy Across the Content Areas | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUED 200 course a | 2 | |
| MUED 355 | Vernacular Music in Education | 3 |
| MUED 400 | Intensive Field Experience | 0 |
| MUED 441 | Philosophical Foundations of Music Education | 3 |
| MUHI 430 | History of Music Pedagogy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 11 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUED 200P | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion | 2 |
| MUED 352 or MUED 353 | Instrumental Methods and Materials or Choral Methods and Materials | 3 |
| MUED 400 | Intensive Field Experience | 0 |
| EDUC 404 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUED 496A | Student Teaching in Music Education | 9 |
| MUED 496B | Student Teaching Seminar in Music Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 73 | |
- a
Required by focus area.
- b
Students will need to take two MUED 200 courses in a single semester (prior to year 3) in order to complete the six-course requirement.