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:
- individual students which will result in enrichment of their personal lives and will enable them to preserve and extend cultural and diverse heritages; and
- 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 Graduate Studies prior to enrollment in coursework beyond 12 hours (inclusive of transfer credit). In compliance with Graduate Studies 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)
- *
These concentrations offer choral, orchestral, and wind band options.
Program Admission
Students seeking admission to the graduate program apply through Graduate Studies.
Admission Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree in music from a NASM accredited institution.
- Successful audition and interview specific to the discipline.
- Writing sample that demonstrates style and ability.
- 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 Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies 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)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Music Core 1 | ||
| MUS 500 | Theory Seminar | 3 |
| MUS 530 | Music Literature | 3 |
| MUS 511 | Research Methods in Music 2 | 3 |
| MUS 525 | Music and the Human Experience 3 | 3 |
| Conducting Concentration Core | ||
| MUS 518 | Advanced Conducting 4 | 3 |
| MUS 519 | Conducting Seminar | 6 |
| Ensemble Course | 1 | |
| MUS 625 | Graduate Capstone Project | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 hours from the following 5 | 6 | |
| 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 Hours | 31 | |
- 1
Level 2 content core for the Music Education/Teacher Leader and Conducting/Teacher Leader.
- 2
- 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)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Music Core 1 | ||
| MUS 500 | Theory Seminar | 3 |
| MUS 530 | Music Literature | 3 |
| MUS 511 | Research Methods in Music 2 | 3 |
| MUS 525 | Music and the Human Experience 3 | 3 |
| Professional Education Core | ||
| TCHL 500 | Foundations of Teacher Leadership 4 | 3 |
| MUS 509 | Music Curriculum in the Elementary and Middle Schools 5 | 3 |
| MUS 514 | Secondary Music Curriculum 5 | 3 |
| MUS 625 | Graduate Capstone Project (Action Research Project, an exit requirement) | 3 |
| MUS 512 | Music Education Workshop 6 | 3 |
| Conducting/Teacher Leader Concentration Core | ||
| MUS 518 | Advanced Conducting 7 | 3 |
| MUS 519 | Conducting Seminar | 6 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Level 2 content core for the Music Education/Teacher Leader and Conducting/Teacher Leader.
- 2
- 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)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Music Core 1 | ||
| MUS 500 | Theory Seminar | 3 |
| MUS 530 | Music Literature | 3 |
| MUS 511 | Research Methods in Music 2 | 3 |
| MUS 525 | Music and the Human Experience 3 | 3 |
| Professional Education Core | ||
| TCHL 500 | Foundations of Teacher Leadership 4 | 3 |
| MUS 509 | Music Curriculum in the Elementary and Middle Schools 5 | 3 |
| MUS 512 | Music Education Workshop 6 | 3 |
| MUS 514 | Secondary Music Curriculum 5 | 3 |
| MUS 625 | Graduate Capstone Project | 3 |
| Elective | ||
| Select 3 hours from the following 7 | 3 | |
| 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 Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Level 2 content core for the Music Education/Teacher Leader and Conducting/Teacher Leader.
- 2
- 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)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Music Core 1 | ||
| MUS 500 | Theory Seminar | 3 |
| MUS 530 | Music Literature | 3 |
| MUS 511 | Research Methods in Music 2 | 3 |
| MUS 525 | Music and the Human Experience 3 | 3 |
| Pedagogy Concentration Core | ||
| MUS 520 | Advanced Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUS 513 | Independent Directed Study/Music Education | 3 |
| MUS 553 | Applied Music Principal | 6 |
| MUS 625 | Graduate Capstone Project | 3 |
| Elective Course | ||
| Select 3 hours from the following | 3 | |
| 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 Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Level 2 content core for the Music Education/Teacher Leader and Conducting/Teacher Leader.
- 2
- 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
- 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. - 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.