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Graduate Degrees — Music Education

Additional information is available on the Music Education website

Application Procedures. Application for admission and other materials pertaining to graduate study may be obtained from the Graduate Admissions Office. Admission applications must be received no later than July 15 for first-semester enrollment, December 1 for second-semester enrollment, and May 1 for summer-term enrollment. See the School of Music information for prospective graduate students for a list of required application materials. In addition to those materials, applicants to the music education program should submit:

· 3 Letters of Recommendation from individuals representing (a) college-university teachers who could provide an evaluation of academic musical ability and probable success in graduate study and (b) school officials who could provide an appraisal of teaching success. Send directly to the School of Music Academic office.

· Supporting Material (sent directly to the School of Music Academic Office) including:

o a resume of your professional experience

o a 500-word essay explaining why you are interested in a master of music education degree

o a copy of teaching certificate or documentation that a certificate can be obtained

Teaching Assistantships. A limited number of teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified students. An on-campus interview is highly desirable for applicants wishing to be considered for a teaching assistantship. Please contact Dr. Don Coffman about scheduling. Students applying for assistantships should write to the music education coordinator for further details. Priority is given to applications received by February 1^st.

Additional information on the music education program may be obtained by contacting Dr. Don Coffman, Coordinator of Music Education, School of Music, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, 1-319-335-3026.

Master of Arts in Music Education

Click for M.A. Degree Course Checklist for Music Education.

Students pursuing the MA in Music Education choose either a practice-orientation or a research-orientation for the MA and select suitable courses in consultation with the coordinator for Music Education. Between one-third and two-thirds of the degree may be in music education courses. At least half of the credits must be in courses designated for graduate students only.

The practice-oriented program emphasizes the extension of specialized performance and pedagogy competencies for music teachers. At least one-half of the curriculum will be in performance and/or pedagogy. A final project in performance and/or pedagogy is required. The research-oriented program emphasizes theoretical studies and research projects in music education. At least one-half of the curriculum will be in music education research and the associated research areas. A thesis is required.

Additional MA Admission Requirements. The prospective student must be a certified music teacher or be in the process of completing certification requirements. A grade-point average on undergraduate and graduate work of 3.0 (A= 4.0), is required for admission to regular status.

BA or BM students who wish to earn Iowa certification and concurrently work toward the MA in music education must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) as well as the Graduate College. Candidacy for the MA degree in music education is contingent upon completion of the certification requirements in the area of concentration (K-12 instrumental or vocal music) as well as the course requirements for the MA. Application forms for the Teacher Education Program may be obtained from the music education coordinator or the College of Education’s Office of Teacher Education and Student Services. For graduate students seeking certification through the College of Education Teacher Education Program, the deadlines for submitting an application to the Graduate College have been established as March 15 for summer or fall-term enrollment and October 15 for spring semester enrollment.

Transfer Credit. Of the 33 semester hour minimum required for the M.A., 24 s.h. must be completed at The University of Iowa. Nine hours of graduate coursework completed at other accredited graduate institutions may be accepted toward the degree if such credit duplicates required or elective coursework at The University of Iowa.

Final Examination. The student schedules the final examination during the semester in which he or she plans to complete the degree. This twelve-hour written examination, which covers the areas of music theory, music history, and music education, is given over three days at approximately the middle of the fall or spring term. Students are provided with guidelines for use in preparation for this examination. Master’s candidates may register for Master’s Final Registration (000:001), which requires a 2 s.h. tuition and fees payment, or appropriate course work.

Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education

Click for Ph.D. Degree Course Checklist for Music Education

The Ph.D. program in music education is designed to prepare students for careers in teaching, research, or administration in: (a) College positions—teachers of music education or music therapy classes; band, chorus and orchestra directors; and administrators of music departments; (b) Public school positions—music supervisors; research and curriculum consultants; directors of city or district school music programs. Music therapy students may obtain the Ph.D. in music education and apply courses from the music therapy program. Applicants whose background and career goals are focused on music therapy should contact Dr. Gfeller (kay-gfeller@uiowa.edu) to discuss admission requirements and curricular options. Dr. Coffman and Dr. Gfeller will co-advise students with a music therapy emphasis on program requirements (including curricular requirements, comprehensive examinations, research expectations, and assistantships).

Additional Ph.D. Admission Requirements.:

1. A 3.50 graduate grade-point average in graduate school.
2. Scores from the General Aptitude Test (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical portions, not the Music specialty test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are requested but not required.
3. Holding, or being qualified for, a valid teaching certificate.
4. A minimum of two years of successful music teaching experience.
5. Materials/documentation attesting to teaching success, academic and musical abilities, and writing ability (Master’s thesis or term papers).

Regular admission status is granted when all required admission materials (evaluations of teaching, etc.) have been received and the music education faculty has appraised the prospective student’s qualifications and has completed a scheduled interview.

Transfer Credit. 24 hours of graduate coursework completed at other accredited graduate institutions may be accepted toward the degree if such credit duplicates required or elective coursework at The University of Iowa.

Examinations. The student schedules the comprehensive written examination after finishing coursework. This 20-hour written examination, which covers the areas of music theory, music history, and music education, is given on five consecutive days at approximately the middle of a term. Students are provided with guidelines for use in preparation for this examination. The final examination is an oral defense of the dissertation.

Last updated 1-nov-07