Structure and Content
Music History/Theory (Required-6 credits)
MUS 602: Graduate Music History………………………….……3 credits
MUS 620: Graduate Music Theory……………………………….3 credits
Music Education (Required-12 credits)
MUS 601: Foundations of Music Education………………....3 credits
MUS 625: Curriculum and Assessment………………………...3 credits
MUS 630: Contemporary Issues in Music Education…....3 credits
MUS 640: Research Methods in Music Education…..…….3 credits
Electives (Select 6 or 9 credits from the following)
EDF 503: Educational Psychology………………………...……..3 credits
MUS 590: Independent Study……………………………………...3 credits
MUS 624: Social Commentary in Musical Theatre………..3 credits
MUS 641: Repertoire and Ensemble Leadership…………..3 credits
MUS 644: Secondary General Music Methods………....….3 credits
MUS 665: Early Childhood Music Methods…………………..3 credits
Project/Thesis (Required-3 or 6 credits)
MUS 690: Master’s Project…………………………………..……...3-6 credits
OR
MUS 695: Master’s Thesis………………………………..…………..6 credits
Graduate Catalog Course Descriptions
MUS 590: Independent Study:
Independent study provides an opportunity for a student to pursue a topic that may be covered only briefly or not at all in a regular course offering. Independent study is never a substitute for a regular course. Independent study may be offered by any member of the music department’s graduate faculty. A maximum of 6 credit hours of independent study may be included in the degree program.
MUS 601: Foundations of Music Education
An overview of the historical, cultural and philosophical foundations that have shaped and directed music education in the United States. An examination of aesthetic, sociological and psychological foundations of music education.
MUS 602:Graduate Music History
Central themes of historical style and compositional structure in Western art music from the Medieval to Modern eras. Investigate essential artistic values through aspects of historical context, musical analysis, and scholarly commentary, and apply those methodologies in a comprehensive research paper.
MUS 620: Graduate Music Theory
Explores theoretical, aesthetic and creative aspects of a selected group of musical works that span the 14th-century to the present day. Develops analytical tools and uses critical thinking skills to analyze those works through the lens of a historically, sociologically and technologically informed perspective.
MUS 624: Social Commentary in Musical Theatre
Overview of the history, evolution, and impact of musical stage entertainment as it relates to specific social and political issues and causes; development of prominent stage forms in relation to their intended or unintended social contributions, moral lessons, political purposes, and artistic symbolism.
MUS 625: Curriculum and Assessment
This course will explore current trends in curriculum and assessment and the effect on music instruction. A standards- and repertoire-based curriculum model will be introduced as a framework to facilitate development of PreK-12 curriculum for ensembles and general music classes.
MUS 630:Contemporary Issues in Music Education
An overview of the historical and intellectual foundations of contemporary music education in the United States. Also an examination of curricular trends and areas of concern for music education in the United States.
MUS 640: Research in Music Education
This course is a study of historical, descriptive, qualitative and experimental research in music education. Students will study various research methodologies and analyze example studies in order to facilitate understanding of music education research.
MUS 641: Repertoire and Ensemble Leadership
Development of an annotated repertory list for practical use in the school ensemble, and instructional strategies with emphasis on rehearsal procedures and analytical techniques. The course will focus on score study, performance practice, ensemble psychology and conducting technique.
MUS 644: Secondary General Music Methods
An overview of the development and execution of secondary level general music curricula, with a focus on creativity and improvisation in both elective and mandatory general music courses for all types of music learners.
MUS 665: Early Childhood Music Methods
Exploring the methods used to guide young children’s music and movement development within a wide variety of early childhood music education settings. Field placement activities that support course objectives are required, approximately 12-15 hours.
MUS 690: Master’s Project
With approval of the project adviser, projects may be creative, curricular, investigative, or applied in nature. The project may take many forms and will involve intensive consultation with the graduate faculty advisor and conclude with a formal faculty review. The project will receive 3 or 6 total credits dependent upon its duration and complexity. If the project receives 3 credits, students must take an additional 3 credits of approved graduate electives to attain 30 total credits to complete the degree.
MUS 695: Master’s Thesis
An individual research-based investigation of an original problem submitted in acceptable form in accord with stipulated policies by the Buffalo State Graduate School.
MUS 721/722: Master’s Project or Master’s Thesis Continuation (non-credit bearing)
Students who have 24 or more earned hours and who have received an N grade (grade delayed) for either MUS 690 or MUS 695 will be required to enroll in MUS 721 Thesis/Project Continuation. Students must receive advisor permission to enroll in this course and will be able to continue to enroll in it for four semesters (spring and fall) or until the thesis or project has been completed and the N grade has been changed. Graduate students can enroll for this course at no cost for up to two years immediately after the semester in which the capstone course received an N grade. If students do not enroll in this course, they will be deactivated from matriculated status and will have to reapply to the college to continue their studies. Reapplication must be made in accordance with the established deadline dates and current admission requirements.
