Music Education
Department Head: Dr. Barry E. Kopetz
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Gary Packwood
Music Building A
PO Box 6240
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Telephone: 662-325-3070
http://music.msstate.edu/
The mission of the Department of Music at Mississippi State University is to contribute to the culture and education of our diverse state and region by providing quality training and opportunities through programs of teaching, research, and service. The department has the following goals:
- Offers excellent instruction to its students, helping to produce future generations of music professionals and patrons
- Engages in meaningful research, performance, and other creative work, positively affecting students, colleagues, and audiences throughout our community and beyond
The department's first obligation is to provide music instruction and specialized pedagogical training for state-certified elementary and secondary school music teachers. This program of instruction is intended to preapre students for exemplary entry-level teaching performance and for admission to selective graduate schools. To this end, the Department of Music provides the following:
- Curricula and advisement that encourage students to acquire a broad, liberal education
- A comprehensive education in the art of music
- A background in existing music curricula, curriculum design principles, materials, and methodologies
- Preparation in general education, theory, history, and methodology
Master of Music Education
The Department of Music offers a Master of Music Education degree (M.M.E.). The M.M.E. is a practitioner's degree, focused on advancing the knowledge and skills of the classroom music educator in one of three specific concentrations: Choral Music, Elementary Music, or Instrumental Music. It is a 32-hour degree consisting of a 14-hour core, 8 hours in the concentration (Choral Music, Elementary Music, or Instrumental Music) and 10 hours of electives. The M.M.E. is designed to be completed in three consecutive summers at MSU, culminating in a final project evaluated by the student's M.M.E. committee.
Admission
To be considered for admission, the applicant must meet all MSU Graduate School admission requirements, including the following:
- Must have earned a baccalaureate degree in Music Education or a related field
- Preferably have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 for admission to the graduate program
- Must submit three letters of recommendation, with at least two coming from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic work; letters should address the applicant's potential for successfully completing graduate studies
- Must submit a personal statement (500-1,000 words) describing the applicant's purpose for undertaking graduate study, including professional plans and career goals
Application is made through the Mississippi State Graduate School website. In addition to the application, complete information regarding is available regarding graduate admissions and graduate academic policy. A complete application packet to the Graduate School must be received by March 1 for consideration for the following Summer term.
Academic Performance
The Department of Music defines satisfactory performance in graduate-level coursework as a GPA of at least 3.00 on all coursework attempted with no course receiving the grade of D or lower. Students may retake the first course for which they receive the grade of D. Failure to complete any required component of the M.M.E. can result in dismissal according to Graduate School policy.
The Department of Music follows Graduate School policy relating to academic performance. In the event a student's performance warrants dismissal from a graduate program, the Music Graduate Coordinator will petition the Graduate School to dismiss the student from the program. The student will be notified of the action by email.
Master of Music Education with a concentration in Choral Music, Elementary Music, or Instrumental Music
| Major Required Courses | 14 | |
| Research in Music Education | ||
| Seminar in Music History Research | ||
| Seminar in Music Theory | ||
| Current Topics in Music Education | ||
| Final Project in Music Education | ||
| Choose One Concentration | 8 | |
Choral Music Concentration Courses | ||
| Advanced Vocal Pedagogy | ||
| Seminar in Choral Literature | ||
| Techniques of Choral Conducting | ||
| Choral Program Development and Curricular Structure | ||
Elementary Music Concentration Courses | ||
| The Child Voice | ||
| Elementary Music Pedagogy | ||
| Media, Materials and Resources for the Elementary Music Specialist | ||
| Instructional Design for the Elementary Music Program | ||
Instrumental Music Concentration Courses | ||
| Advanced Woodwind Pedagogy | ||
| Seminar in Brass and Percussion Pedagogy | ||
| Wind Band Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques | ||
| Instructional Design for the Instrumental Music Program | ||
| Electives | 10 | |
Choose 10 hours from COE, Music, or other advisor-approved graduate courses. The below electives are suggested. | ||
| Research in the Classroom | ||
| Advanced Methodologies in Middle and Secondary Education | ||
| Educational and Psychological Statistics | ||
| Advanced Instrumental Arranging | ||
| World Drumming | ||
| Keyboard Skills for Music Educators | ||
| Wind Band Literature | ||
| Individual Studio Instruction | ||
| Applied Composition | ||
| Applied Conducting | ||
| Guitar in the Classroom | ||
| Jazz Techniques for the Music Educator | ||
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Note: A minimum of 15 hours is required at the 8000-level or above.
MUE 6990 Special Topics in Music Education: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
MUE 7000 Directed Individual Study in Music Education: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
MUE 8033 Current Topics in Music Education: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to the MME degree program). Three hours lecture. An investigation of current topics impacting music education classrooms
MUE 8102 Advanced Vocal Pedagogy: 2 hours.
(Pre-requisite: Admission to MME Degree Program). Two hours lecture. Body alignment, respiration, phonation, resonation, articulation, vocal health, and the developmental stages of the voice. Concepts and topics addressed can be applied to both one-on-one teaching (voice lessons, vocal coachings) and group situations (class voice, choral ensembles)
MUE 8112 Seminar in Choral Literature: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. An intensive study of a specific area of choral literature. The content of this course will vary from semester to semester. Emphasis is placed upon in-depth study of selecting and interpreting choral literature
MUE 8122 Techniques of Choral Conducting: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. An examination of appropriate choral techniques for the secondary choral music program
MUE 8132 Choral Program Development and Curricular Structure: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. Design and implementing a program and process for success in the choral music program
MUE 8202 The Child Voice: 2 hours.
(Pre-requisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. Exploration of the unique pedagogical and literature requirements of the young singer (children and adolescents) in both solo and choral settings
MUE 8212 Elementary Music Pedagogy: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to the MME degree program) Two hours lecture. Research and experiential-based study of the pedagogies, curricula, media and literature designed for the elementary child
MUE 8222 Media, Materials and Resources for the Elementary Music Specialist: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to the MME degree program.) Two hours lecture. A survey of media, materials, resources, equipment, repertoire, facility designs, and technology for the elementary music specialist. Learning to budget, prioritize, and effectively apply findings for teacher effectiveness and student achievement will also be included
MUE 8232 Instructional Design for the Elementary Music Program: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to the MME degree program) Two hours lecture. Research and theoretical- based study of instructional design models for the elementary music curriculum. Standards, assessment, repertoire, methodology and technology will provide a framework for designing and evaluating elementary music curricula and learning outcomes
MUE 8302 Advanced Woodwind Pedagogy: 2 hours.
(Pre-requisite: Admission to MME Degree Program). Two hours lecture. Teaching methodology and materials for woodwind instruments in the middle and high school band setting, including performance benchmarks and appropriate repertoire for solo, chamber winds and concert ensembles
MUE 8312 Seminar in Brass and Percussion Pedagogy: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to the MME degree program). Two hours seminar. Directed study and discussion of topics of brass and percussion pedagogy and performance
MUE 8322 Wind Band Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. An investigation of selected scores, advanced conducting and rehearsal techniques for the wind band
MUE 8332 Instructional Design for the Instrumental Music Program: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program). Two hours lecture. Developing and implementing appropriate conceptual frameworks, pedagogical approaches, materials and assessment for the secondary school instrumental program
MUE 8363 Research in Music Education: 3 hours.
(Pre-requisite: Admission to MME Degree Program). Three hours lecture. A survey of the purpose and major types and methods used in music education research, principal sources of music research information, formation of research questions, preparing a research proposal, designing and conducting a music education research project
MUE 8432 Guitar in the Classroom: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME degree program.) Two hours lecture. The process of creating and implementing a guitar program in a public school, or the inclusion of guitar in a pre-existing music program
MUE 8472 Jazz Techniques for the Music Educator: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. Materials, methods, and techniques for teaching instrumental jazz to K-12 students, including an overview of jazz history and styles and a pedagogical approach to teaching beginning improvisation
MUE 8990 Special Topics in Music Education: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
MUE 9012 Final Project in Music Education: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours seminar. Directed study, emphasizing intensive research, analysis, and development of a final research product for an approved topic central to the field of music education
MUE 6990 Special Topics in Music Education: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
MUE 7000 Directed Individual Study in Music Education: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
MUE 8033 Current Topics in Music Education: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to the MME degree program). Three hours lecture. An investigation of current topics impacting music education classrooms
MUE 8102 Advanced Vocal Pedagogy: 2 hours.
(Pre-requisite: Admission to MME Degree Program). Two hours lecture. Body alignment, respiration, phonation, resonation, articulation, vocal health, and the developmental stages of the voice. Concepts and topics addressed can be applied to both one-on-one teaching (voice lessons, vocal coachings) and group situations (class voice, choral ensembles)
MUE 8112 Seminar in Choral Literature: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. An intensive study of a specific area of choral literature. The content of this course will vary from semester to semester. Emphasis is placed upon in-depth study of selecting and interpreting choral literature
MUE 8122 Techniques of Choral Conducting: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. An examination of appropriate choral techniques for the secondary choral music program
MUE 8132 Choral Program Development and Curricular Structure: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. Design and implementing a program and process for success in the choral music program
MUE 8202 The Child Voice: 2 hours.
(Pre-requisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. Exploration of the unique pedagogical and literature requirements of the young singer (children and adolescents) in both solo and choral settings
MUE 8212 Elementary Music Pedagogy: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to the MME degree program) Two hours lecture. Research and experiential-based study of the pedagogies, curricula, media and literature designed for the elementary child
MUE 8222 Media, Materials and Resources for the Elementary Music Specialist: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to the MME degree program.) Two hours lecture. A survey of media, materials, resources, equipment, repertoire, facility designs, and technology for the elementary music specialist. Learning to budget, prioritize, and effectively apply findings for teacher effectiveness and student achievement will also be included
MUE 8232 Instructional Design for the Elementary Music Program: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to the MME degree program) Two hours lecture. Research and theoretical- based study of instructional design models for the elementary music curriculum. Standards, assessment, repertoire, methodology and technology will provide a framework for designing and evaluating elementary music curricula and learning outcomes
MUE 8302 Advanced Woodwind Pedagogy: 2 hours.
(Pre-requisite: Admission to MME Degree Program). Two hours lecture. Teaching methodology and materials for woodwind instruments in the middle and high school band setting, including performance benchmarks and appropriate repertoire for solo, chamber winds and concert ensembles
MUE 8312 Seminar in Brass and Percussion Pedagogy: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to the MME degree program). Two hours seminar. Directed study and discussion of topics of brass and percussion pedagogy and performance
MUE 8322 Wind Band Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. An investigation of selected scores, advanced conducting and rehearsal techniques for the wind band
MUE 8332 Instructional Design for the Instrumental Music Program: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program). Two hours lecture. Developing and implementing appropriate conceptual frameworks, pedagogical approaches, materials and assessment for the secondary school instrumental program
MUE 8363 Research in Music Education: 3 hours.
(Pre-requisite: Admission to MME Degree Program). Three hours lecture. A survey of the purpose and major types and methods used in music education research, principal sources of music research information, formation of research questions, preparing a research proposal, designing and conducting a music education research project
MUE 8432 Guitar in the Classroom: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME degree program.) Two hours lecture. The process of creating and implementing a guitar program in a public school, or the inclusion of guitar in a pre-existing music program
MUE 8472 Jazz Techniques for the Music Educator: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours lecture. Materials, methods, and techniques for teaching instrumental jazz to K-12 students, including an overview of jazz history and styles and a pedagogical approach to teaching beginning improvisation
MUE 8990 Special Topics in Music Education: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
MUE 9012 Final Project in Music Education: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to MME Degree Program.) Two hours seminar. Directed study, emphasizing intensive research, analysis, and development of a final research product for an approved topic central to the field of music education