Advance Your Career as an Educator With a Master's Degree in Music
Music enhances communication, bridges differences, and improves our well-being. It can make us more empathetic, increase cultural experiences, and strengthen our connections.
The master's degree in music education at West Chester University is accredited by the National Association of Schools in Music, and provides an inclusive, world-class education. The program engages students, furthers artistic excellence, and builds pathways for students as valuable contributors to a greater society.
Our Master of Music in Music Education (M.M.) degree is 30 credits and was designed for maximum flexibility and personalization. Pursue your passions through our diverse course offerings including music technology, Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly Methodology, research, performance, and music history.
The M.M. in Music Education offers full-time and part-time options and can be completed in two years . WCU also offers a "summers-only" plan, which is ideal for current teachers.
At WCU, your Master of Music degree can be customized to fit your interests and career goals.
Benefits of Earning Your Music Master's Degree at West Chester University
Accreditation for the Music Education Master's
WCU's M.M. in music education is fully accredited by the:
- National Association of Schools of Music Commission on Accreditation
- Organization of American Kodaly Educators
- American Orff-Schulwerk Association
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Graduate Assistantships
WCU’s Master of Music in Music Education program awards two graduate assistantships. These paid assistantships provide research, administrative, and community partnership opportunities for our students on and off campus.
Outstanding Facilities
The arts are a priority at West Chester University, and we have the facilities to prove it. With more than 200 events annually and nationally recognized music programs, you’ll experience our artistic community firsthand. Our M.M. programs are housed within the Swope Music Building and Performing Arts Center. Just steps from the heart of campus, Swope offers:
- State-of-the art music education computer lab
- Extensive rehearsal and performance facilities and practice rooms
- Center for Music and Technology
- Presser Music Library
- Partnership with the Philadelphia Orchestra
- World renown guest artists
- Apple Training Center for music education
Major performances at the University take place in one of several venues including the Ware Family Recital Hall, the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, and the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall.
Exceptional Faculty
Faculty members in the Wells School of Music bring their diverse experiences into each and every class to help you excel as a music educator. You'll train with musician educators at the top of their field with opportunities to enhance both your educational and performance skills. Many faculty members are also active musicians who perform nationally and abroad. With an average class size of just 11 students, you'll receive plenty of individualized guidance in WCU's Master of Music program .
Community
The Wells School of Music is a welcoming, tight-knit community full of talented musicians at every level. You'll build relationships with your classmates and faculty as you move through your program and will have opportunities for field placements and travel abroad. Our faculty will bring out your best so that you can do the same for your students.
What Can You Do With a Master's in Music Education?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary range for this degree varies depending on factors such as additional certificates and educational level, experience, and career direction. Graduates from our master's in music education program have pursued rewarding careers as educators in public and private institutions, as private instructors, composers, music directors, director of bands, and have continued their studies in top doctoral programs.
Many of our graduates who remain in teaching after receiving their M.M. degree from WCU report salary increases.
What Will You Study as a Master's in Music Education Student?
M.M. in Music Education - Kodaly Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| MUE 500 | Methods & Materials Of Research | 3 |
| MUE 503 | Philosophical Foundations Of Music Educ | 3 |
| MUE 510 | Current Trends In Music Education | 3 |
| Music History course 500 level of higher 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration Requirements 2, 3 | ||
| MUE 560 | Kodaly Level I Musicianship Training 2 | 2 |
| MUE 561 | Kodaly: Level I Methodology 2 | 2 |
| MUE 562 | Kodaly: Level ll Musicianship Training 4 | 2 |
| MUE 563 | Kodaly: Level ll Methodology 4 | 2 |
| MUE 564 | Kodaly: Level lll Musicianship Training 5 | 2 |
| MUE 565 | Kodaly: Level lll Methodology 5 | 2 |
| MUE 566 | Kodaly Conducting | 2 |
| MUE 567 | Kodaly: Folk Music | 2 |
| MUE 568 | Kodaly: Games And Materials | 2 |
| Supportive Electives 500 level or higher. 3 | 3 | |
| MUE 569 | Kodaly Final Project | 1 |
| Comprehensive Exit Exam 6 | ||
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 34 | |
- 1
If a student fails the Graduate Music History Assessment Test, they must take MHL 501 prior to satisfying this requirement.
- 2
If a student fails the Graduate Music Theory Assessment Test, they must take MTC 591 prior to taking MUE 560 or MUE 561.
- 3
Selected under advisement.
- 4
Requires prerequisite of MUE 560 or MUE 561.
- 5
Requires prerequisite of MUE 562 or MUE 563.
- 6
All students in M.M. programs in music education also must complete a comprehensive exit examination. Students not holding Level I Certification in music education must complete prerequisite undergraduate work prior to admission into a graduate program that requires Level I Certification.
M.M. in Music Education - Music Technology Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| MUE 500 | Methods & Materials Of Research | 3 |
| MUE 503 | Philosophical Foundations Of Music Educ | 3 |
| MUE 510 | Current Trends In Music Education | 3 |
| Music History course 500 level of higher 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration Requirements 2 | ||
| Music Theory course 500 level or higher 3 | 3 | |
| MUE 591 | Introduction to Notation, Sequencing, and Electronic Instruments | 3 |
| MUE 592 | Introduction to Internet, Multimedia, and Computer-Assisted Instruction | 3 |
| MUE 598 | Integrating Music Technology Into the Curriculum 4 | 3 |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
MUE 593 | Notation for Music Educators 4 | |
MUE 594 | Sequencing for Music Educators | |
| Select 3 credit from the following: | 3 | |
MUE 596 | Multimedia Authoring Mus Ed 4 | |
MUE 597 | Digital Media for Music Educators 4 | |
| Supportive Electives 500 level or higher. 2 | 3 | |
| MUE 693 | Music Technology Final Project | 1 |
| Comprehensive Exit Exam 5 | ||
| Tota Minimuml Credits Required | 34 | |
- 1
If a student fails the Graduate Music History Assessment Test, they must take MHL 501 prior to satisfying this requirement.
- 2
Selected under advisement.
- 3
If a student fails the Graduate Music Theory Assessment Test, they must take MTC 591 prior to satisfying this requirement.
- 4
Requires prerequisites of MUE 591 and MUE 592.
- 5
All students in M.M. programs in music education also must complete a comprehensive exit examination. Students not holding Level I Certification in music education must complete prerequisite undergraduate work prior to admission into a graduate program that requires Level I Certification.
M.M. in Music Education - Orff-Schulwerk Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| MUE 500 | Methods & Materials Of Research | 3 |
| MUE 503 | Philosophical Foundations Of Music Educ | 3 |
| MUE 510 | Current Trends In Music Education | 3 |
| Music History course 500 level or higher 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration Requirements 2 | ||
| Select 15 credits from the following: | 15 | |
MUE 570 | Orff-Schulwerk: Lev I Basic Musicianship 3 | |
MUE 571 | Orff Schulwerk: Level I Recorder | |
MUE 572 | Orff Schulwerk: Level I Movement | |
MUE 573 | Orff Schulwerk: Level II Basic Musicianship 3, 4 | |
MUE 574 | Orff Schulwerk: Level II Recorder 4 | |
MUE 575 | Orff Schulwerk: Level II Movement 4 | |
MUE 576 | Orff Schulwerk: Level III Basic Musicianship 5 | |
MUE 577 | Orff Schulwerk: Level III Recorder 5 | |
MUE 578 | Orff Schulwerk: Level III Movement 5 | |
MUE 579 | Orff Schulwert: Recorder Ensemble 5 | |
MUE 580 | Orff Schulwerk: Movement 5 | |
MUE 581 | Orff Schulwerk: Instrumentarium Practicum 5 | |
| Supportive Electives 500 level or higher. 2 | 6 | |
| MUE 582 | Orff-Schulwerk Final Project | 1 |
| Comprehensive Exit Exam 6 | ||
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 34 | |
- 1
If a student fails the Graduate Music History Assessment Test, they must take MHL 501 prior to satisfying this requirement.
- 2
Selected under advisement.
- 3
If a student fails the Graduate Music Theory Assessment Test, they must take MTC 591 prior to taking MUE 570 or MUE 573.
- 4
Requires prerequisites of MUE 571 and MUE 572.
- 5
Requires prerequisites of MUE 574 and MUE 575.
- 6
All students in M.M. programs in music education also must complete a comprehensive exit examination. Students not holding Level I Certification in music education must complete prerequisite undergraduate work prior to admission into a graduate program that requires Level I Certification.
M.M. in Music Education - Performance Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Majors Requirements | ||
| MUE 500 | Methods & Materials Of Research | 3 |
| MUE 503 | Philosophical Foundations Of Music Educ | 3 |
| MUE 510 | Current Trends In Music Education | 3 |
| Music History course 500 level or higher 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration Requirements 2 | ||
| Music Theory course 500 level or higher 3 | 3 | |
| Music Education courses 500 level or higher 2 | 6 | |
| INM 511 | Graduate Applied Lesson | 1 |
| or VOK 511 | Graduate Applied Lesson | |
| INM 512 | Graduate Applied Lesson | 1 |
| or VOK 512 | Graduate Applied Lesson | |
| INM 513 | Graduate Applied Lesson | 1 |
| or VOK 513 | Graduate Applied Lesson | |
| INM 514 | Graduate Applied Lesson 4 | 1 |
| or VOK 514 | Graduate Applied Lesson | |
| Supportive Electives 500 level or higher. 2 | 7 | |
| MUE 698 | Recital Research 4 | 1 |
| Select one of the following. | 1 | |
VOI 696 | Chamber Recital 4, 5 | |
AIM 696 | Chamber Recital 4, 5 | |
PIA 696 | Recital 4, 5 | |
| Comprehensive Exit Exam 6 | ||
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 34 | |
- 1
If a student fails the Graduate Music History Assessment Test, they must take MHL 501 prior to satisfying this requirement.
- 2
Selected under advisement.
- 3
If a student fails the Graduate Music Theory Assessment Test, they must take MTC 591 prior to satisfying this requirement.
- 4
Students must complete MUE 698, INM 514 or VOK 514, and VOI 696 or AIM 696 or PIA 696 all during the same semester.
- 5
Candidates desiring to pursue the recital option in voice must audition before the voice jury and receive permission to pursue that option before earning 15 graduate credits or after completing VOK 513, whichever comes first.
- 6
All students in M.M. programs in music education also must complete a comprehensive exit examination. Students not holding Level I Certification in music education must complete prerequisite undergraduate work prior to admission into a graduate program that requires Level I Certification.
M.M. in Music Education - Research Report Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| MUE 500 | Methods & Materials Of Research | 3 |
| MUE 503 | Philosophical Foundations Of Music Educ | 3 |
| MUE 510 | Current Trends In Music Education | 3 |
| Music History course 500 level or higher 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration Requirements 2 | ||
| Music Education courses 500 level or higher 2 | 6 | |
| Applied Music courses 500 level or higher 2 | 3 | |
| Music Theory course 500 level or higher 2, 3 | 3 | |
| Supportive Electives 500 level or higher. 2 | 6 | |
| MUE 691 | Research Seminar In Music | 2 |
| MUE 692 | Research Report | 2 |
| Comprehensive Exit Exam 4 | ||
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 34 | |
- 1
If a student fails the Graduate Music History Assessment Test, they must take MHL 501 prior to satisfying this requirement.
- 2
Selected under advisement.
- 3
If a student fails the Graduate Music Theory Assessment Test, they must take MTC 591 prior to satisfying this requirement.
- 4
All students in M.M. programs in music education also must complete a comprehensive exit examination. Students not holding Level I Certification in music education must complete prerequisite undergraduate work prior to admission into a graduate program that requires Level I Certification.
Get Started on YourMusic Education Master's
Reach out today to expand your skills and advance your career as a music educator. West Chester University's music master's degree is the next step.
Apply NowPrograms Related to WCU's Master of Music Education
- Master of Music in Performance
- Master of Music Theory and Composition
- Master of Music History and Literature
- Master in Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs
- Master of Science in Transformative Education and Social Change
- Minor in Music
- Samuel Barber Winter and Summer Institute
- Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in Music Education
- Certificate in Piano Pedagogy
- Certificate in Orff-Schulwerk
- Certificate in Kodaly Methodology
