Master of Music in Music Education
NDSU’s Master of Music in Music Education is designed with flexibility and personal attention especially for professional educators working in the K-12 schools. All courses are offered online; the degree can be completed in five semesters or up to seven years. Coursework can be focused on elementary, choral/vocal or instrumental music education.
Credits may be transferred from other institutions pending approval. The typical capstone activity is a four-credit practicum; no thesis is required. Students are required to register for at least six credits per calendar year until all degree requirements, which include written and oral comprehensive exams, are completed.
| Curriculum | Offered | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Music Education Core (9 credits) | ||
| MUSC 701 Psychology of Music | Online Summer – Odd Years | 3 |
| MUSC 703 Foundation of American Music Education | Online Summer – Even Years | 3 |
| MUSC 790 Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Music Education | Summer – Odd Years | 3 |
| Music Core (8 credits) | ||
| MUSC 702 Graduate Theory Survey | Online Fall | 3 |
| MUSC 704 Graduate Music History Survey | Online Spring | 3 |
| MUSC 731 Applied Study | Ongoing | 2 |
| Music Electives (9 credits) to be selected from: | ||
| MUSC 713 Advanced Choral Methods | Online Spring – Odd Years | 3 |
| MUSC 714 Advanced Elementary Methods | Online Spring – Even Years | 3 |
| MUSC 715 History of Choral Literature | Online Fall | 3 |
| MUSC 765 Band Literature I: History & Development | Online Fall - Even Years | 3 |
| MUSC 758 Jazz Methods and Pedagogy in Music Education | Online Fall – Odd Years | 3 |
| MUSC 766 Band Literature II: Chamber Music, Other Genres | Online Fall – Odd Years | 3 |
| MUSC 790 Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Music Education | Summer – Odd Years | 3 |
| Ensembles, Pedagogy/History/Theory Courses, Transfer Credits | 9 | |
| Practicum MUSC 795 | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
Questions? See the FAQs below or contact Dr. Nicki Bakko Toliver at nicki.toliver@ndsu.edu for more information.
FAQs
What is the timeline for degree completion?
Complete the degree in five semesters (two in the summer) or within seven years.
What is the tuition?
The tuition is low and affordable.
What courses are available online?
All of our courses are available online.
Are the online courses offered asynchronously or synchronously?
The online courses are designed for flexibility and offered asynchronously to accommodate teacher’s schedules. A few synchronous meetings are required for MUSC 701 and 703. MUSC 790 is the only online course which requires synchronous attendance.
What is MUSC 790 – The Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Music Education?
MUSC 790 is the only course which requires synchronous attendance, but we are actually encouraging students to campus if they are available. This Seminar (Music Education Symposium) is a fantastic ONE WEEK course which completes three credits. During that week, we have headliners such as Bridget Sweet, Birch Browning, Mary Goetze, Peter Boonshaft, Robert Duke, Carl Hancock, Kenneth Elpus, Andrea Strauss, Carlos Abril, Alice-Ann Darrow, Tim Sharp and Deborah Sheldon join us on campus to share their areas of expertise.
Will I connect with my colleagues and professors during online classes?
Even though the degree is online, through Discussion Boards in our elective course offerings and MUSC 790, teachers pursuing this degree are able to connect with other colleagues and faculty while gaining relevant knowledge.
MUSC 790 is the only online course which requires synchronous attendance, and we also invite our teachers that are pursuing the degree to our beautiful campus. Summers are gorgeous in Fargo, North Dakota.
What is MUSC 731?
MUSC 731 is Applied Lessons, these lessons are typically in the teacher’s area of expertise but sometimes in an area in which they hope to gain knowledge. Applied Lessons are flexible and scheduled between the student and instructor and can be offered online or in person, if living in close proximity to North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.
What are the required registration details when completing the degree?
Teachers pursuing the MMME only need to complete six-credits per calendar year (January – December) to remain in the program.
What is MUSC 795 and the requirements for comprehensives?
The practicum is a self-guided project, guided by your advisor. Creating your practicum for the four credits of MUSC 795 begins with your thoughts about your current teaching situation. What are areas in your teaching that you wish to strengthen or further organize? What is a content area that you wish you were incorporating into your teaching, but need an extra motivation to create it? Our practicums have ranged from standards, to assessments, to seating arrangements, to diversity, to units to develop compound counting systems, to adaptive music, to “guitar hero” structured for orchestra.
We know the art of teaching is constantly evolving, so the practicum is viewed as a "work in progress." Comprehensives are evidence that you have gained knowledge that aligns with our NASM accreditation. Comprehensives also offer an additional opportunity to communicate the results of your practicum and implementations that you have integrated into your teaching through the MMME coursework.
Will I receive good advising?
At NDSU, we pride ourselves in our personal approach to assisting teachers in completing this degree. We thrive on building connections with currently practicing teachers.
How can I receive more information?
Email Dr. Nicki Bakko Toliver at nicki.toliver@ndsu.edu for more information.
What are the requirements to apply for the fully-online Master of Music in Music Education?
All Master of Music in Music Education candidates must have an undergraduate degree in music education, have a GPA of 3.0, an adequate writing sample and excellent references.
Where can I start the application process?
https://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/apply