Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

Music, Master of Music (0453)

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/music


Program Coordinator

Catherine M. Wilson, catherine.wilson@wku.edu, (270) 745-5925

The Master of Music graduate program has four areas of concentration: Music Education/Teacher Leader, Conducting/Teacher Leader, Conducting, and Pedagogy. These provide continued development of:

  1. individual students which will result in enrichment of their personal lives and will enable them to preserve and extend cultural and diverse heritages; and
  2. professional and scholarly competence in organization, interpretation, evaluation, communication, and dissemination of knowledge in the discipline.

The Music Education/Teacher Leader and Conducting/Teacher Leader concentrations would further enable the teacher/practitioner to meet certification renewal requirements and rank changes mandated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Graduates in the Pedagogy concentration would meet requirements for national certification through the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).

All degree seeking students must submit a planned program of study (curriculum contract) to the Graduate School prior to enrollment in coursework beyond 12 hours (inclusive of transfer credit).  In compliance with Graduate School policy, the degree program is to be developed in consultation with the approved advisor assigned at the time of admission to the program. 

Concentration(s)

  • Conducting (MUCN)
  • Conducting/Teacher Leader (MUCT)
  • Music Education/Teacher Leader (MUTL)
  • Pedagogy (MUPD)

Program Admission

Students seeking admission to the graduate program apply through the Graduate School.

Admission Requirements

  1. Baccalaureate degree in music from a NASM accredited institution.
  2. Successful audition and interview specific to the discipline.
  3. Writing sample that demonstrates style and ability.
  4. Applicants who are alumni of WKU teacher preparation programs seeking the Music Education/Teacher Leader and Conducting/Teacher Leader concentrations must submit a current, valid teaching certificate or Statement of Eligibility for P-12 Music Certification (Integrated, Vocal, or Instrumental).

Graduate School Admission

Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate School admission requirements.

Program Requirements (30-36 hours)

Prior to completion of 9-12 graduate hours, students are required to take placement exams in music theory and music history.

Conducting Concentration (31 hours)

Required Courses
Music Core 1
MUS 500Theory Seminar3
MUS 530Music Literature3
MUS 511Research Methods in Music 23
MUS 525Music and the Human Experience 33
Conducting Concentration Core
MUS 518Advanced Conducting 43
MUS 519Conducting Seminar6
Ensemble Course1
MUS 625Graduate Capstone Project3
Electives
Select 6 hours from the following 56
Independent Directed Study/Music Education
Advanced Conducting
Independent Directed Study/Theory-Literature
Choral Union
University Choir
University Orchestra
Chamber Singers
Marching Band
Band
Chamber Music
Applied Music Secondary
Applied Music Principal
Jazz Ensemble
Opera Theatre
Total Hours31
1

Level 2 content core for the Music Education/Teacher Leader and Conducting/Teacher Leader.

2

TCHL 559 (1 hr) is embedded in MUS 511.

3

MUS 525 (3 hrs) is a music content course which aligns to competencies in TCHL 530 and is considered a Level 1 education course.

4

MUS 518 is a (1) one hour course that is required to be taken three times. 

5

Elective hours must be music courses selected from the other graduate offerings: workshops, ensembles, lessons, independent studies, etc.

Conducting Teacher Leader Concentration (36 hours)

Required Courses
Music Core 1
MUS 500Theory Seminar3
MUS 530Music Literature3
MUS 511Research Methods in Music 23
MUS 525Music and the Human Experience 33
Professional Education Core
TCHL 500Foundations of Teacher Leadership 43
MUS 509Music Curriculum in the Elementary and Middle Schools 53
MUS 514Secondary Music Curriculum 53
MUS 625Graduate Capstone Project (Action Research Project, an exit requirement)3
MUS 512Music Education Workshop 63
Conducting/Teacher Leader Concentration Core
MUS 518Advanced Conducting 73
MUS 519Conducting Seminar6
Total Hours36
1

Level 2 content core for the Music Education/Teacher Leader and Conducting/Teacher Leader.

2

TCHL 559TCHL 559 (1 hr) is embedded in MUS 511.

3

MUS 525 (3 hrs) is a music content course which aligns to competencies in TCHL 530 and is considered a Level 1 education course.

4

 Required the first semester of admission to the program.

5

Competencies included in TCHL 530, TCHL 545, and TCHL 555 are embedded in MUS 509 and MUS 514. Student enrolled in MUS 509 will have opportunities to interact with students in the TCHL 530 course; those enrolled in MUS 514 will have opportunities to interact with students in the TCHL 555 course. Students will be afforded the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in those competencies associated with TCHL 530, TCHL 545, and TCHL 555. Those students demonstrating proficiency would not be expected to complete learning outcomes related to those competencies and accompanying critical performances in MUS 509, MUS 512, and MUS 514. They would be provided with advanced learning experiences associated with the courses or would be permitted to substitute another course. The music education critical performances are loaded in the unit's accountability system (E-PASS).

6

Competencies included in TCHL 555 are embedded in MUS 512. Students enrolled in MUS 512 will have opportunities to interact with students enrolled in TCHL 555.

7

MUS 518 is a (1) one hour course that is required to be taken three times. 

Music Education Teacher Leader Concentration (30 hours)

Required Courses
Music Core 1
MUS 500Theory Seminar3
MUS 530Music Literature3
MUS 511Research Methods in Music 23
MUS 525Music and the Human Experience 33
Professional Education Core
TCHL 500Foundations of Teacher Leadership 43
MUS 509Music Curriculum in the Elementary and Middle Schools 53
MUS 512Music Education Workshop 63
MUS 514Secondary Music Curriculum 53
MUS 625Graduate Capstone Project3
Elective
Select 3 hours from the following 73
Independent Directed Study/Music Education
Advanced Conducting
Independent Directed Study/Theory-Literature
Choral Union
University Choir
University Orchestra
Chamber Singers
Marching Band
Band
Chamber Music
Applied Music Secondary
Applied Music Principal
Jazz Ensemble
Opera Theatre
Total Hours30
1

Level 2 content core for the Music Education/Teacher Leader and Conducting/Teacher Leader.

2

TCHL 559 (1 hr) is embedded in MUS 511.

3

MUS 525 (3 hrs) is a music content course which aligns to competencies in TCHL 530 and is considered a Level 1 education course.

4

 Required the first semester of admission to the program.

5

 Competencies included in TCHL 530, TCHL 545, and TCHL 555 are embedded in MUS 509 and MUS 514. Students enrolled in MUS 509 will have opportunities to interact with students in the TCHL 530 course; those enrolled in MUS 514 will have opportunities to interact with students in the TCHL 555 course. Students will be afforded the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in those competencies associated with TCHL 530, TCHL 545, and TCHL 555. Those students demonstrating proficiency would not be expected to complete learning outcomes related to those competencies and accompanying critical performances in MUS 509, MUS 512, and MUS 514. They would be provided with advanced learning experiences associated with the courses and would be permitted to substitute another course. The music education critical performances are loaded in the unit's accountability system (E-PASS).

6

Competencies included in TCHL 555 are embedded in MUS 512. Students enrolled in MUS 512 will have opportunities to interact with students enrolled in TCHL 555.

7

Elective hours must be music courses selected from the other graduate offerings: workshops, ensembles, lessons, independent studies, etc. MUS 512 is a required course. Competencies included in TCHL 550, TCHL 554, and TCHL 558 are embedded in MUS 512. Students enrolled in MUS 512 will have opportunities to interact with students enrolled in the courses TCHL 550 and TCHL 554.

Pedagogy Concentration (30 hours)

Leads to National Certification by Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)

Required Courses
Music Core 1
MUS 500Theory Seminar3
MUS 530Music Literature3
MUS 511Research Methods in Music 23
MUS 525Music and the Human Experience 33
Pedagogy Concentration Core
MUS 520Advanced Pedagogy3
MUS 513Independent Directed Study/Music Education3
MUS 553Applied Music Principal6
MUS 625Graduate Capstone Project3
Elective Course
Select 3 hours from the following3
Music Education Workshop
Independent Directed Study/Music Education
Applied Music Secondary
Applied Music Principal
Choral Union
University Choir
University Orchestra
Chamber Singers
Marching Band
Band
Jazz Ensemble
Opera Theatre
Total Hours30
1

Level 2 content core for the Music Education/Teacher Leader and Conducting/Teacher Leader.

2

TCHL 559 (1 hr) is embedded in MUS 511.

3

MUS 525 (3 hrs) is a music content course which aligns to competencies in TCHL 530 and is considered a Level 1 education course.

Program Exit Requirements

  1. Graduate Capstone Project
    Candidates must successfully complete MUS 625 and present research results to the Music Education Committee. The committee will use a 4-point scale with specific criteria to grade the project.  A passing score of 3 or higher is needed to pass the exam graduation requirement.
  2. Oral Comprehensive Exam
    A comprehensive approach to problem solving in the discipline of music, which includes historical, analytical and pedagogical applications. A committee of graduate music faculty will assess each candidate’s oral exam using a 1 (low) to 4 (high) scoring rubric. A passing score of 3 or higher is needed to pass the exam graduation requirement.