MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.) IN MUSIC EDUCATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

(APPLICATION FORM pdf)

•  Upon acceptance by both the Graduate School and the Department of Music, students must contact their advisor in the Music Department in order to determine an official Plan of Study. This plan provides a map that ensures that the candidate will complete the degree program within the required time line. While each plan is tailored to the individual, there are six (6) required core courses. (A schedule of the core courses is provided in the Graduate Handbook of the Music Department which is on the Department's website.) Additionally, all masters' candidates must successfully complete 12 hours of electives. The Plan of Study is not official until it has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.

•  Subsequent changes in the Plan of Study may be made with the approval of the faculty academic advisor and the Dean of the Graduate School.

•  The time limit for the M.S. degree is six years from the time one takes the first graduate course used towards the degree, including any approved transfer courses.

•  Students may transfer up to nine (9) Semester Hours (SH) graduate credits from other accredited colleges or universities with the approval of the faculty academic advisor and the Dean of the Graduate School.

•  If students are not proficient in notation software, they may be required to take a course in notation as part of the Plan of Study.

•  All M.S. in Music Education candidates must complete a Capstone Requirement as part of the degree program. This requirement includes a comprehensive examination at the end of their course of studies. (See the Graduate Catalog or website for the application). Additionally, students must select one of the following to complete the capstone requirement:

•  Plan A: 30 SH plus a Thesis (3 SH—research in an unresearched area);

•  Plan C: 30 SH plus a Special Project (3 SH—may take the form of an Action Research Project, a Recital, a Composition Project, a Conducting Project, or other projects that may be considered for approval by the Graduate Committee of the Department of Music (i.e., a Technology Project – developing CAI program, etc.). All projects must be approved by the candidate's project advisor and the Graduate Committee before registration is permitted.

•  Each student is responsible for reading the graduate catalog and meeting deadlines for filing for graduation, comprehensive exams, obtaining a letter of completion, etc.

GRADUATE ADMISSION CRITERIA

A) APPLICATION FORM:

A completed application form that includes a 2-3 page typewritten essay should be sent to the Department of Music prior to the audition date (if possible). Your completed essay should be sent directly to the Department of Music office as part of your application package. The essay on your background and interest in the program should be double-spaced and address the following:

1. Describe your area of teaching expertise and activities relevant to the field of music and music education.

2. Discuss your philosophy of music education, your professional goals and how you feel the curriculum at CCSU could help you achieve your goals. You may also discuss future areas of research, pedagogy or performance you would like to explore.

3.  Personal and professional characteristics you believe will contribute to your success as a masters in music education candidate.

B) GRADE POINT AVERAGE for all undergraduate courses (GPA). Minimum requirement is a 2.70 grade point average (GPA) based on a 4.00 point scale where A is 4.00.

C) MUSIC THEORY EXAMINATION:

A music theory examination will be given the day of the interview. While this examination is primarily a placement examination, a low score could influence the decision about the applicant's acceptance.

D) PERSONAL INTERVIEW:

A personal interview with members of the Department of Music's Graduate Committee will be conducted on the day of the Theory Examination. The committee will assess the student's ability to analyze and synthesize their life experiences as indicators of the student's potential for Masters in Music Education candidacy.

E) PORTFOLIO:

A Portfolio must be brought to the interview. The content and rationale for entries in the portfolio are as follows:

•  Vitae or Resume

•  Two or three written recommendations from individuals able to testify to the student's suitability as a master's candidate in music education.

•  Evidence of Teaching Experience and Musicianship: Examples of programs, student work and/or performances to demonstrate the applicant's competency as a teacher particularly as they relate to the implementation of the National Standards for Music and/or the candidate's local curriculum, (i.e., CD's of your performance, your students' performances/concerts, compositions, etc.).

•  Unofficial Transcript to document undergraduate coursework.

•  OPTIONAL: Examples of competency in technology to demonstrate the applicant's competency in using notation software, and other examples of how the applicant uses technology as a teaching tool or as a management tool may be included in the portfolio.