• Overview
• Program Objectives
• Admission Requirements
• Music Core
• Area of Concentration
• M.A.Ed. Checksheet (PDF)

Overview

All applicants for the Master of Arts in Education degree (M.A.Ed.) must hold, or be eligible to hold, a North Carolina Class "A" teaching license in music education. Successful completion of the M.A.Ed. degree and requirements leads to recommendation for North Carolina “Advanced Competency” licensure, which may result in a significant salary increase. Students in this concentration may specialize in choral music, Orff-Schulwerk, or instrumental music. The concentration in music education is intended primarily for students planning on careers in public education.

• Read the professional core and music concentration requirements (catalog)
• Read catalog course descriptions

Program Objectives

• Provide an opportunity for individual students to work closely with faculty on specific interests and career-related projects.
• Provide an in-depth study of musicianship based on historical, contextual, theoretical and practical knowledge.
• Provide a post-baccalaureate experience that emphasizes the foundations and principles of music education at the elementary and/or secondary levels.
• Provide a post-baccalaureate experience specifically designed to improve teaching skills.
• Provide an opportunity for advanced research in music education.

Admission Requirements

Prospective graduate students in music are encouraged to apply as early as possible to the WCU Graduate School. Application forms and catalogs for graduate studies may be obtained by contacting:

Office of Research and Graduate Studies
109 Camp Building
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC 28723
828-227-7398

Your application to the Graduate School should include the following:

• Completed graduate application form indicating your intended degree and your performing area
• Official Transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university, with an average grade of B or higher in the last 60 semester hours of the undergraduate program. Transcripts must reflect an undergraduate degree in music. No decisions regarding admission can be made without official transcripts.
• Acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar enough with the applicant's work to be able to assess their potential for further graduate study. The recommendation form (PDF) is available from the Graduate School Office

Application must also be made directly to the School of Music. The following requirements must be completed to be fully admitted into the graduate music program:

• Completed Music School application form (PDF)
• Completion of a Bachelors degree in music or equivalent
• Live Audition or interview(see “Audition Procedures” below)
• Successful passing of the Music Entrance Examinations

Inquiries concerning specific aspects of the music program should be directed to:

Mary Kay Bauer
Coordinator of Graduate Studies
School of Music
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 227-3275, (828) 227-7162 (FAX)

All admissions decisions within the School of Music are handled by a Graduate Admissions Committee. Your application will be reviewed to determine whether your undergraduate course selection and grades meet the standards of the WCU undergraduate curriculum. GRE scores and letters of recommendation will also be consulted. Eligible prospects will complete a live audition/interview with the committee. The Admissions Committee will then make a recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate School, who will send you official notification of the admissions decision.

The Music Core

The music core is designed to provide you with a thorough grounding in the issues and materials of music scholarship at the graduate level. Rather than offering courses and seminars in the traditionally separate "disciplines" of music theory and music history, we have designed a series of innovative courses that combine historical and theoretical approaches to the study of music. In addition, a one-credit writing course focuses on the peculiar problems of writing about music. All students are required to take MUS 601 as well as MUS 520, 525, 621, and 622. Each is described below.

• MUS 601: Writing About Music (1). Writing workshop focusing on styles and techniques appropriate to the discussion of music in various contexts. This course focuses on specific writing tasks related to music, including brief biographies, dictionary definitions, theoretical analyses, critiques, and essays. Emphasis will be on clarity of expression, economy of language, and accuracy of content. The process of writing, editing, and revision will involve both teacher and peer review. Fall semester.
• MUS 520: Studies in Music Literature (3, R9). Historical and theoretical study of various forms of music literature. Only three credits can be counted as part of the graduate core curriculum. Topics may include women in music, wind literature, contrapuntal techniques, history of music technology, etc. Additional topics may be taken as electives. Spring of even-numbered years; additional offerings as needed.
• MUS 525: Twentieth-Century Music (3). Historical and theoretical issues in 20th-century music. This course will examine the music of the twentieth century from a theoretical as well as historical viewpoint. Each of the most significant trends will be explored in order to understand both their origins and their consequences. Spring of odd-numbered years.
• MUS 621: History of Musical Theory (3). The historical development of music theory as a language for scholarly discussion of music. This course will examine the development of music theory as a specialized language for the discussion of music, from the works of Ancient Greek philosophers to the threshold of the 20th century. Representative musical compositions from each of the major historical periods will be studied in order to demonstrate the use of appropriate theoretical concepts. Fall of odd-numbered years.
• MUS 622: Influences of Folk Traditions on Western Art Music (3). Historical and theoretical perspectives on the incorporation of "foreign" or "folk" influences into the Western art music tradition. This course will examine how, throughout history, the Western tradition in music has been shaped by contact with non-Western cultures. These influences range from the introduction of new instruments to the exploration of distinctly new methods of composition and performance. Fall of even-numbered years.

Area of Concentration

The concentration in music education requires MUS 695, 680, and either MUS 592 or 640. The choice between MUS 592 and 640 should be made in consultation with your Advisor.

• MUS 695: Music Education Seminar (3). Music curriculum within the general education framework; current philosophies and trends. Offered as needed.
• MUS 680: Independent Study (1, R6). Independent study in an area of your choice under the guidance of a member of the graduate music faculty. The topic must be approved by the faculty member before you enroll in the course.
• MUS 592: Orff-Schulwerk Level I (3). A study of basic Orff-Schulwerk techniques. Offered as needed.
• MUS 640: Studies in Music Pedagogy (3, R6). Techniques and materials of teaching for voice and instruments. This course, taught as a seminar, will typically include students in music education as well as those in applied music who are interested in issues related to teaching in the private studio. Offered as needed.