Graduate Bulletin

Music Education, M.M.

BOYER COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DANCE

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: February 1

Spring: September 15

Decisions regarding admission are rendered after all required credentials have been submitted and the admissions application is complete.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from evaluators who can provide insight into the applicant's abilities, talents, and aptitude for graduate study. (Applicants who received a bachelor's degree from the Boyer College of Music and Dance within the previous 12 months are exempt from this requirement.)

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the appropriate Bachelor of Music degree at Temple University, which is based on a curriculum of 124 to 135 hours.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A degree in Music Education is required.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should include a written account of your accomplishments to date, your goals and expectations for the program, your goals for beyond the program, and your special interests in the discipline.

Standardized Test Scores:

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 575 paper-based, 233 computer-based, or 90 internet-based.

Interview:

After the admissions application has been received by Temple University, applicants should contact the department at 215-204-8310 to arrange a campus visit and schedule an interview with the department chair and faculty.

Resume:

A current resume is required. Submit a paper copy with your other supporting application materials and forward an electronic copy to the department chair.

Academic and Musical Profile (AMP):

The Academic and Musical Profile (AMP) consists of two parts: Performance and Written.

1. Performance: Applicants must submit a digital video of representative instruction episodes that adequately demonstrate both teaching skills and musicianship. The tape should be no more than 15 minutes in duration and may include any type of music teaching. Applicants should include a brief written narrative explaining the contents of the video.

2. Written: This examination is completed by the applicant during the on-campus interview visit. The applicant has 90 minutes to demonstrate writing skills and general knowledge about music education. The exam is scored by Music Education faculty. Results are considered in the admissions decision. Additional coursework may be required to remediate inadequacies.

Teaching Certification:

Applicants must be certified to teach in at least one state in the United States. A copy of the teaching certificate must be submitted.

Transfer Credit:

A student who wishes to transfer credit should speak with her/his academic advisor and obtain a Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form, available at: www.temple.edu/grad/forms. Transfer credits must be approved by the advisor, the department chair, and the Associate Dean. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Other:

Due to the large number of applications for admission and the competitive nature of its music programs, the College admits only a portion of its applicants. In addition to the general admissions credentials required of all Temple University graduate applicants, specialized admission criteria (i.e., auditions, portfolios, interviews, recommendations, departmental term papers, and standardized examinations) are very heavily weighted in admission decisions of the Boyer College of Music and Dance. Graduate applicants may be rejected for admission for failing to obtain the required level of proficiency in any one area of the specialized admission criteria regardless of the level of success in meeting the Temple University general admission criteria. In addition to the level of success demonstrated in the above-mentioned criteria, a final admission factor is the College's Optimum Enrollment Policy. This Policy may preclude the admission of any student who meets the minimum requirements.

Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit any additional information that will help the faculty making an admissions decision.  Additional items may include, but are not limited to, digital recordings of compositions or arrangements, recordings of performance groups, lesson or rehearsal plans, curriculum development material, and recital performance recordings.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 32

Required Courses (14 s.h.):

MUSIC ED 8651: Psychology of Music Learning and Behavior (3)

MUSIC ED 8652:  Measurement and Evaluation in Music (3)

MUSIC ED 8653:  Learning Theory in Music

MUSIC ED 8661:  Research in Music Education (3)

MUSIC ED 9996:  M.M. Final Project: Music Education

Electives (18 s.h.):

Music Education courses and/or workshops (9 s.h.)

Coursework in Music, Music Education, and/or Music Studies (9 s.h.)

All M.M. coursework stresses the acquisition of advanced knowledge of

the theory of teaching and learning, as well as principles of and practices in Music Education.

View all COURSE OFFERINGS in Music, Music Education, and Music Studies.

All degree credits are to be earned at Temple University.

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

Diagnostic Examinations:

All entering Master of Music students are required to take Diagnostic Examinations in Harmony, Counterpoint, Aural Skills, and Music History prior to the first semester of graduate study. The purpose of these examinations is to determine weaknesses in undergraduate preparation. Depending on the examination results, students may be required to take one or more remedial courses. In these instances, the remedial courses will be graded on a "Credit / No Credit" basis and the official university transcript will indicate "CR" (for "Credit," meaning that the deficiency has been satisfied) or "NC" (for "No Credit," meaning that the deficiency has not been satisfied). Students must have a "B-" or better average in any remedial course or section thereof to earn the grade of "Credit" and to satisfy the requirement. Students who earn a grade of "NC" (that is, having a class average below "B-") must retake that course or section until an average of "B-" or higher is achieved and a grade of "CR" is recorded on the official university transcript. Remedial courses are offered for undergraduate credit only, and may not count toward graduate degree requirements.

1. All entering M.M. students must take the Diagnostic Examination in Harmony, Counterpoint, and Aural Skills prior to the first semester of graduate study unless conditions for exemption have been met (see below). Students may take the test only once, and if they do not pass the test or any portion thereof, they must enroll in the remedial course(s) during their first semester of study. Depending on which section(s) of the examination are failed, the examiners will stipulate which sections of remedial coursework the student must take. The courses are MUSIC STUDIES 5001: Diatonic Harmony Review, MUSIC STUDIES 5002: Chromatic Harmony Review, MUSIC STUDIES 5003: Counterpoint Review, and MUSIC STUDIES 5004: Graduate Aural Theory Review.

2. All entering M.M. students are required to take the Diagnostic Examination in Music History prior to registering for their first semester of graduate study unless conditions for exemption have been met (see below). If the student is unsuccessful in passing any portion of the Music History examination, the student may select one of two options:

Option A entails registering to take MUSIC STUDIES 5005: Music History Review for 1 to 5 undergraduate credits, with 1 credit assigned to each of the following five periods: Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic, and Twentieth Century. Students may register for a maximum of 3 credits of MUSIC STUDIES 5005 in any semester; thus, it is possible to extend the remediation over two semesters.

Option B entails the student's studying independently and retaking the failed sections of the examination at the end of the first semester of study. Students may retake the examination only once, and if any section is failed a second time, they must take the assigned remedial sections in their second semester of study.

3. Conditions for Exemption: The requirement to take the Diagnostic Examination in any area is waived only for graduates of the Boyer College of Music and Dance who (a) matriculate and enroll in the semester immediately following completion of all undergraduate degree requirements; and (b) received grades of "B-" or better in every undergraduate course taken in each individual examination area to be waived.

Professional Development Policy:

In addition to taking the required subjects for their degrees, all students in the Boyer College of Music and Dance are obligated to serve in a number of capacities in order to enrich their academic and musical expertise. Boyer College of Music and Dance believes that such experiences give impetus to successful professional careers. Among the duties that may be required are conducting laboratory classes; tutoring; teaching private lessons; coaching; participating in the distribution and inventory control of Temple University-owned musical instruments and instructional materials; participating in ensembles; accompanying; performing at admissions and open house events; supervising performance classes; and engaging in other academic activities.

Independent Study Courses:

Independent study courses provide a special opportunity for graduate students to work in a highly individualized setting with one or more faculty members. All such study must receive the approval of the faculty member providing the instruction, the students' major advisor, and the Associate Dean. Approval will be granted only after the student has presented a detailed description of the intended independent study project. Approval of independent study projects will be granted only for students whose academic and musical record provides substantial support for the benefits of this type of study. In no case may more than 20% of a graduate student's curriculum be taken as independent study. Private lessons beyond those required in the curriculum are not an appropriate form of independent study.

Acceptable English:

All students, including those for whom English is not the native language, are expected to present all written work in acceptable English. No double standard exists to differentiate students on the basis of proficiency in the use of the English language. Students are also responsible for becoming familiar with the College's statement on plagiarism and academic honesty.

Applied Study:

1. Graduate students in non-performing curricula may take up to 6 credits of applied study toward the degree with the permission of the major advisor, department chair, and the chair of vocal or instrumental studies. Such non-required lessons may be taken only if the student can pass the normal graduate-level performing audition expected of performance majors. In this event, a fee of $200, not covered by tuition remission, is charged.

2. Regardless of major, graduate students with a demonstrable performing proficiency that may not meet the more rigorous requirements of a graduate-level audition may, by audition, qualify to take 2 credits of applied study per semester for graduate credit. These courses carry a fee of $400 plus tuition and may be applied to the non-performing curriculum for degree credit. Up to 6 credits may be taken with the approval of the major advisor.

3. Graduate assistantships and other forms of University-sponsored financial aid do not cover private lesson or Recital Extension fees.

Incompletes:

All incomplete grades and keyboard proficiencies must be fulfilled by the first day of the month in which the student expects to graduate.

Culminating Events:

Comprehensive Oral Review with Additional Requirement:

All Master of Music and Master of Education students must take a Comprehensive Oral Review and complete an additional requirement. The choice of additional requirement must be declared no later than the second semester of study following discussion with the academic advisor:

• Final Written Project and Oral Defense: The Comprehensive Oral Review is part of the oral defense. The student is asked to apply coursework materials to concepts covered in the final written project. The Defense Examining Committee presides and evaluates.
• Thesis and Oral Defense: The Comprehensive Oral Review is part of the oral defense. The student is asked to apply coursework materials to concepts covered in the thesis. The Defense Examining Committee presides and evaluates.
• Nine semester hours of additional coursework: Students must schedule the Comprehensive Oral Review with the Music Education faculty in the last semester of study. Students are expected to answer questions concerning issues and ideas covered in coursework. At least two faculty members administer the Comprehensive Oral Review and evaluate its results.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/boyer/

Department Information:

Dept. of Music Education and Therapy

Boyer College of Music and Dance

2001 North 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122

dsheldon@temple.edu

215-204-8310

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

James Short
jshort@temple.edu
215-204-8598

Program Coordinator:

Professor Deborah Sheldon
dsheldon@temple.edu

215-204-8310

Graduate Chairperson:

Professor Deborah Sheldon
dsheldon@temple.edu

215-204-8310

Chairperson:

Professor Deborah Sheldon
dsheldon@temple.edu

215-204-8310

About the Program

The Master of Music in Music Education degree offers opportunities for advanced studies on broad-based principles and practices in Music Education, as well as theories of learning and teaching, and provides an introduction to research methodology.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 6 years

Campus Location:

Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m. Students are also able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

Dept. of Music Education and Therapy

Boyer College of Music and Dance

2001 North 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122

dsheldon@temple.edu

215-204-8310

Interdisciplinary Study:

Not applicable.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Boyer College of Music and Dance has been ranked among the top 30 music schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Accreditation:

The Music Education programs at Boyer College of Music and Dance are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) , the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Areas of Specialization:

The M.M. in Music Education provides opportunities for advanced study through specialization in either music education practice or music education research. This program of study is designed for students intending to pursue a doctoral degree in Music Education; those seeking permanent certification in Pennsylvania; or those who view the degree as terminal.

Job Placement:

Students typically find employment in educational systems and also within the music industry. The program also is recommended for those who plan to pursue a doctoral degree in Music Education.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

With permission from the Dean's Office, individuals may be granted permission to enter the College as a non-matriculated student, taking up to 9 graduate credits (excluding private lessons) before applying for admission to a program.

Financing Opportunities

Boyer College of Music and Dance offers a number of assistantships and academic internships to matriculated graduate students. Full awards carry a cash stipend plus full tuition remission for the Fall and Spring semesters. Partial awards also are available in values of 1/4 or 1/2 of a full award. Duties for assistantships and internships vary, but typically include teaching, tutoring, classroom assistance, research, artistic performance, and/or direct service related to academic programs. Applicants must submit an assistantship/internship application by March 1 to obtain priority consideration for an award. Applications are available online at the Graduate Financial Aid page of Boyer's website. Typically these awards are made only in the Fall semester for up to two semesters: Fall and Spring. Awards may be renewed on an annual basis (typically up to one additional year for master's students and up to three years for doctoral students) based on departmental needs as well as satisfactory academic and musical progress by the recipient.

Updated 3.9.11