Online Master's Degree in Music Education

Buffalo State's online master's degree in music education is designed for in-service music teachers who already possess an initial teaching certificate. This degree is composed of courses that are critical to the ongoing professional development of music teachers. 

The entire program requires 30 credits, including 24 credits of required graduate coursework in music history, music theory, music education, and a master's project or master's thesis. An additional six credits of elective coursework will include graduate courses chosen from repertoire and ensemble leadership, educational foundations, musical theater, and a flexible independent study.

Admission Requirements

Admission is granted jointly by the Graduate Studies Office and the Music Department.

Sequentially, the degree program is designed for part-time, in-service music educators to begin seeking the degree in the summer.

To apply to the Buffalo State Mus.M program, potential students must supply the following required and supplemental materials to the Graduate Studies Office by January 1st for early decision or April 1st for regular admission.

Students who have not completed their application for admission by April 1st may choose to apply as a non-degree student. A maximum of six graduate credits earned as a non-degree student may be applied to the degree program.

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  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimumcumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Bachelor's degree in music education from an accredited institution. It mustalso adhere to the general guidelines for undergraduate competencies in music theory, music history, music performance, conducting, ensemble participation and music education preparation as established by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Students must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in required music courses in their undergraduate degrees.
  • A teaching certificate or licensure from one of the 50 states in the U.S.
  • Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic background, musicianship and teaching effectiveness. This letter should provide evidence of successful teaching experience, academic ability and professionalism.
  • A resume of educational and professional achievements.
  • A scholarly writing sample of no less than 4 and no more than 15 pages using appropriate citations and sources in the area(s) of music theory, music history, music education or educational psychology.
  • Although not required, formal music teaching experience in public or private school systems is preferred.
  • Applicants may be asked to participate in a phone or on-line interview at the discretion of the graduate music education coordinator. 

Additional Admission Requirements

For Applicants Seeking New York State Professional Certification

  • New York State Initial Certification

    Those students seeking New York State Professional Certification with teaching certificates/licenses from states other than New York must apply for and be granted a New York State Initial Teaching Certificate.  Requirements for obtaining a New York State Initial Teaching Certificate can be found by visiting the following link: http://usny.nysed.gov/teachers/.

  • One 3-credit Hour Course (Minimum) Involving Students with Special Needs

    Transcripts must be provided that document a course which entails instruction regarding the understanding and development of effective teaching strategies for students with special needs. Students without documentation of a special needs class will be required to remediate this requirement by taking EXE 100-Individuals with Special Needs, offered online. This course will not fulfill the course requirements of the Mus. M. in Music Education.  Additional coursework, (currently only offered in traditional format) that fulfill this requirement and also fulfill elective credits for the Mus.M in Music Education degree, include: EDU 577 Teaching Individuals with Exceptionalities and EXE 500 Individuals with Special Needs.

Mission, Goals, and Objectives

Mission

The music department at Buffalo State is committed to excellence in music studies and music teacher preparation. The music department is mindful and reflective of Buffalo State’s commitment to urban and rural education and remains dedicated to this charge. The music department endeavors to furnish graduate students with the methodologies, knowledge, scholarship, skills, passion, and discipline to teach, appreciate, and analyze music at the highest attainable level of artistry and communication. Through carefully constructed curricula and stewardship, Mus.M. students at Buffalo State will be holistically prepared for a personal and professional life in music education.

Goals

  • To engage graduate music education majors in advanced learning experiences necessary for the development of professional-level musical skills and understanding. Learning experiences include those that develop technical/pedagogical proficiency, grounded in the theoretical and historical traditions, and an understanding and appreciation of the profession
    .
  • To offer music educators the opportunity to engage in advanced coursework and experiences that pragmatically and intellectually challenge them and are applicable to the structures, decisions, rigors, and opportunities commonly encountered in urban and/or rural music education.
     
  • To foster the exploration of innovative and advanced approaches to curriculum, instruction, assessment, leadership, musical understanding, program development, research, and opportunities that serve to enhance the overall quality of the candidate’s pedagogical and professional abilities.

Objectives

Students demonstrate advanced competencies in music education. Studies in this area may comprise as much as two-thirds and at least one-third of the total curriculum.

Students gain knowledge and skills in one or more fields of music outside music education including but not limited to performance, conducting, theory and analysis, and history and literature.

Students develop graduate-level perspectives on contemporary issues and problems in music education. This may include a review of curriculum developments, teaching methodology, innovations, and multidisciplinary concepts in advanced seminars or by other means.

Students complete a program emphasizing theoretical studies, research, and/or projects in music education. The capstone experience of a master’s project (non-research based) or master’s thesis (research-based) is required in order to complete the Mus.M Degree at Buffalo State.

In furtherance of the stated goals and objectives, the Music faculty will work together to recruit and retain highly qualified graduate degree candidates from throughout New York State. Recruitment will aim to increase size, scope, breadth, diversity, depth, and quality of the music student population at Buffalo State. The Department Chair, in consultation with the graduate music faculty and administration, will ensure adequate resources to support the Music Department as it grows and continues to evolve.

MASTER OF MUSIC IN MUSIC EDUCATION COURSE OFFERINGS

COURSE INSTRUCTOR REQUIRED/ELECTIVE OFFERINGS
MUS 601: Foundations of Music Education Nora Murnane Robertson Required Offered every fall
MUS 602: Graduate Music History Dr. Carolyn Guzski Required Offered every fall
MUS 608: Jazz Styles and Analysis Dr. Mark Filsinger Elective Offered every other summer
MUS 620: Music Theory Pedagogy Dr. Tomas Henriques Required Offered every spring
MUS 609: Piano Pedgagoy for Children Dr. Emily Boyce Elective Offered every other summer (even years)
MUS 625: Curriculum and Assessment Dr. Kerry Renzoni Required Offered every other summer (even years)
MUS 630: Contemporary Issues in Music Education Dr. Mark Filsinger Required Offered every spring
MUS 640: Research Methods in Music Education Dr. Victoria Furby Required Offered every other summer (odd years)
MUS 641: Repertoire and Ensemble Leadership

Dr. Ricky Fleming

Dr. Victoria Furby

 Elective Offered every other summer (even years
MUS 644: Secondary General Music Methods Dr. Heather Waters Elective Offered every other summer (odd years) 
MUS 645: Music Methods for Students with Exceptionalities Dr. Laurie Scott Elective Offered every other summer (even years)
MUS 665: Early Childhood Music Methods Dr. Kerry Renzoni Elective Offered every other summer (even years)
MUS 690: Master’s Project Advisor Required Offered every semester
MUS 695: Master’s Thesis Advisor Required Offered every semester

 

PROPOSED COURSE SCHEDULING FOR MATRICULATED STUDENTS

SUMMER ONE

FALL 

SPRING

SUMMER TWO

MUS 640 OR MUS 625

ELECTIVE

ELECTIVE

MUS 601

MUS 602

MUS 620

MUS 630

MUS 640 OR MUS 625

ELECTIVE

MUS 690

In order for a graduate student to be awarded a master’s degree the following minimum requirements must be met:

  • Completion of the Application for Graduation, submitted to the Graduate School, Cleveland Hall 204, by the specified deadline as listed in the Academic Calendar (viewable online at www.buffalostate.edu/academics/ click on Academic Calendar). Failure to apply by the deadline date may delay the granting of the degree and may result in the omission of the student’s name from the commencement program.
  • Completion of a minimum of 30 graduate-level credit hours.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) in all graduate coursework.
  • Completion of all coursework and degree requirements within the six year
  • period immediately preceding the date of graduation.
  • Completion of a minimum of 15 credit hours of 600- or 700-level coursework.
  • Receipt by the Graduate School of official transcript(s) of approved transfer credit as listed on the candidacy form. Transfer credit must meet all requirements as defined under Transfer Credit on page 9 of the Graduate Catalog. Students must complete all required music education curriculum (MUS 601, MUS 625, MUS 630 and MUS 640) as well as all Thesis or Project hours while in residence at Buffalo State. Only credits for graduate music history, music theory and/or music electives may be transferred from another institution.
  • All graduate and undergraduate courses with a grade status of I, N, or X must be completed and appropriate grades submitted.
  • All financial obligations to the college must be met, and all college property must be returned.
  • Students who do not meet the requirements for graduation by the semester for which they applied must submit a new application for graduation, in accordance with established deadlines, for the semester in which the requirements will be completed.

Time Limit for Degree Completion

All coursework and degree requirements must be completed within the six-year period immediately preceding a student’s graduation. Coursework completed more than six years prior to date of graduation cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements unless approved by the advisor, music department chair, and dean of Arts & Sciences.