Contact:

Colleen Reynolds, 301 Crouse College, 315-443-4309, cmreyn01@syr.edu

Syracuse University offers two music education graduate degree programs designed for students who already possess an undergraduate degree in music education. These one-year music education professional certification programs (Master of Music-M.Mus degree and Master of Science-M.S. degree) provide an environment of excellence under which one can continue to develop the understanding and skills necessary to become a competent, independent teacher of music.

The Music Education Program at Syracuse University is consistent in its mission to provide an environment of excellence where students can develop the understanding and skills necessary to become competent, independent teachers of music. Our program provides students with opportunities to nurture and develop optimal teaching competencies and artistry and musicianship, as well as philosophical, theoretical, and historical perspectives of music and music education through research and reflective practice.

The School of Education, in cooperation with the Setnor School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, offers a preparation program leading to the M.S. degree in music education. The program prepares students to become music educators proficient in five areas:

Critical reflection and explanation of practice, content knowledge, inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogy, assessment of student learning, and professional conduct and collaboration.

The preparation program is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in music (i.e., with a major field in music), and seek certification to teach music at the elementary or secondary school levels. This degree program provides meaningful opportunities for professional enhancement through comprehensive practice experiences in the field, exposure to current instructional technology with applications to music education, thoughtful examination of music research, and encouragement of continuing personal artistic growth. By providing knowledge and understanding of inclusive and diverse environments, and striving to promote a developed awareness of individual needs and social justice, we prepare our graduates to enter the field as music educators capable of creating learning environments that ensure successful outcomes for all students.

Program Features:

• Prepares students for New York State (NYS) initial certification as music teachers at all grade levels as they earn master’s degrees;
• A 47-credit program exposing students to cutting-edge ideas in education in courses taught by faculty specialists, and offering students opportunities to expand content knowledge and develop artistic abilities through graduate music courses and performance events;
• Special emphases on these areas: serving diverse student populations, using latest technologies to promote active learning; developing skills in assessing student learning; and developing a knowledge of music for effective teaching and performance;
• Five field placements, allowing each candidate to learn from experiences in urban, rural, and suburban school settings, from contact with a variety of teaching professionals, and by working with students of diverse backgrounds and abilities;
• Professional development opportunities through shared experiences in common core courses with a cohort of music education students as well as students from other secondary programs;
• Participation in the Music Educators Academy, whose weekly meetings bring candidates together with area teachers, educational professionals, and SU faculty and staff to share professional development opportunities and;
• A music education faculty whose location in the Setnor School of Music affords opportunities for formal and informal interactions, and for continued study with top musicians from diverse fields of music.

Admission:

Program degree prerequisites:

A bachelor’s degree in music from an institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). General liberal arts course requirements constitute a prerequisite of the program, although some of these requirements may be completed concurrently, at the discretion of the faculty. Our goal in assessing students’ educational backgrounds is to confirm exposure to areas of the NYS Regents Learning Standards outside their areas of teaching.

This course of study allows for the concentration of graduate studies to focus on education and music education coursework with the possibility of degree completion within a one and one-half to two-year period. Forty-seven credit hours of study are required for degree completion.