Master of Science in Music Education
Kevin Jay Isaacs, Graduate Coordinator Phone: (203) 837-8355
isaacsk@wcsu.edu
Deborah Pontelandolfo, Dept. Secretary Phone: 203) 837-8350
Fax: (203) 837-8630
Program Overview
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Music Education program at Western is designed to further develop the student’s cultural, musical and professional growth and to provide graduate coursework necessary for permanent teaching certification. Western Connecticut State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Credit hour
A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than -
1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks;
2. or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time;
3. or at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph 1 of this definition for other acdemic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, interships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
The above definitions do not restrict a department from requiring more student work per credit than presecribed, nor do they dictate the ratio of classroom to out-of-classroom work required for successful completion.
Program Mission, Goals, and Objectives
The Department of Music at Western Connecticut State University is a friendly, vibrant, student-oriented unit committed to fulfilling the university and department mission to:
I. Prepare students for careers in music education.
II. Prepare students to be lifelong advocates for music and the arts.
III. Encourage development of the creative, intuitive, and intellectual capabilities of students,
faculty, and audience.
IV. Provide for the cultural enrichment of the individual, the unit, the university, the community, the region, and the state.
V. Provide services to the individual, the unit, the university, the community, the region, and the state. The department of music believes the earnest pursuit of this mission will have a positive effect in promoting the arts and cultivating culture in our community and will greatly enhance Western Connecticut State University’s influence throughout the region and state.
The goals of our mission statement are attainable through the following objectives:
I. Prepare students for careers in music education.
-Help students understand the development of structures and organization of music throughout history and to enhance their appreciation and performance of diverse musical styles.
II. Prepare students who desire further study with the necessary musical skills to pursue advanced degrees.
-Insure students gain the necessary and fundamental musical skills to enter the music teaching profession.
-Provide a comprehensive music education curriculum that prepares the student for the changeable
climate of teaching profession.
-Give graduate students in music the training and experiences to expand their musical skills and
professional opportunities, especially in teaching.
III. Prepare students to be lifelong advocates for music and the arts.
-Offer a musical environment where students can hear, see, and experience musical events performed by their peers, faculty, and guest artists.
-Instill in all music education students the importance of being both an advocate for and an expert in their field and to represent proudly their discipline to their teaching peers, to their administration, and to their students’ families.
IV. Encourage development of the creative, intuitive, and intellectual capabilities of students, faculty, and audience.
-Train students in the fine art of musical performance through applied study with instructors who are both teachers and mentors.
-Allow students numerous opportunities to practice their skills of musical performance through the large ensembles, chamber groups, and student recitals offered by the department.
-Offer a musical environment where students can hear, see, and experience musical events performed by their peers, faculty, and guest artists.
-Create an environment where the faculty is encouraged to participate in projects that will continue their creative and professional development and provide a model for students.
V. Provide for the cultural enrichment of the individual, the unit, the university, the community, the region, and the state.
-Help students, families, community members, and university colleagues learn to appreciate the value of the arts in their lives.
-Promote and encourage faculty development and cultural exchange through artistic and scholarly endeavors.
-Be a musical and cultural outlet for the university, community, and regional populations, through
concerts, recitals, master classes, and lectures.
VI. Provide services to the individual, the unit, the university, the community, the region, and the state.
-Serve as a regional resource center for the promotion and production of the arts.
-Serve as a regional resource center for elementary and secondary music education programs and educators.
-Offer the services and scholarship of the music faculty, staff, and students to the populations that are served by the university.
-Help students to develop skills in self-discipline, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication through caring and personalized guidance and academic advising.
Admission Requirements
All applicants who wish to be admitted to the Master of Science in Music Education program must submit the required materials to the Division of Graduate Studies, and in addition, provide evidence of the following:
1. An earned baccalaureate degree in music education (or equivalent) from an accredited institution of higher education.
2. A valid certificate to teach music in elementary and/or secondary education.
3. A successful interview with the graduate program coordinator.
Students wishing to take courses for continuing education graduate credit (up to nine credits) must hold a baccalaureate degree in music from an accredited college or university.
Potential music graduate students are required to audition either in person or by submission of a video or audio cassette tape only when attempting to include ensemble or applied performance courses in their degree program. A maximum of three semester hours of ensemble and applied music may be used. Auditions and supportive materials are reviewed by the graduate program coordinator and either the conductor of the ensemble or the applied music instructor.
Degree Program Requirements
The M.S. in Music Education degree will be conferred upon matriculated students who have completed 30 graduate credits at Western Connecticut State University (minus transferred credits), using either the thesis or non-thesis approach in a program approved by the graduate program coordinator.
Transfer of Courses
WCSU accepts as transfer credit toward a graduate degree course work that was completed at a college or university regionally accredited as a degree-granting institution at the time the course work was completed. No more than nine hours of transfer credit will be accepted, except in the case of work completed at another campus of the Connecticut State University system. However, a student must complete at least 15 semester credits in residence (including thesis requirements, alternative research project, departmental seminar, and/or comprehensive examination) as required for particular programs.
Master of Science in Music Education
Professional Education Requirements 6 SH
ED 500 Contemporary Educational Issues 3 SH
ED 501 Introduction to Educational Research (after 18 SH) 3 SH
Thesis or Non-Thesis Requirements 3-6 SH
MUS 590 Music Department Seminar 3 SH
