Music Education M.M.E. Program
Master of Music Education (M.M.E.) in Music Education
The department’s graduate programs include advanced professional and scholarly study for music educators, licensure programs for those with baccalaureate degrees in other fields who plan to enter the music education profession (the graduate licensure program typically requires collateral undergraduate study), and advanced study for individuals in related disciplines. Areas of emphasis, curricula, examinations, and regulations and procedures are described in the MEMT Master's Handbook available online (https://music.ku.edu/graduate-handbooks/).
M.M.E. in Music Education Admission
Admission requirements are as follows:
- An undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- An appropriate baccalaureate degree to support the individual’s goals for master’s study. Students seeking entrance into the graduate licensure program in music education should have substantial backgrounds in music regardless of the undergraduate major. Degree patterns include:
- A bachelor’s degree with a major in music education.
- A bachelor’s degree with any music major plus any state certification as a music teacher (for MME in music education).
- The equivalent of a music minor plus a bachelor's degree in an appropriate related field.
- Final official degree-conferred transcripts must be sent directly from all previous colleges or universities.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation regarding the applicant's qualifications for graduate study in their selected program.
- Submission of a video recording or unlisted YouTube link to the online application (portfolio section). The video should include:
- 5-minute teaching/rehearsal video
- 5-minute performance on the applicant's primary instrument
- Submission of a resume or curriculum vita.
Additional detailed admission requirements and information are found online (https://music.ku.edu/graduate-admission).
Graduate Admission to the School of Music
Application procedures and program requirements can change. Please visit the School of Music Admissions webpage for current information.
Graduate programs in the School of Music are open to students with acceptable baccalaureate degrees, as specified by the admitting areas, whose academic records indicate that they can do successful work at the graduate level. Regular admission requires a bachelor's degree and a grade-point average of at least a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), from KU or from another regionally accredited institution or foreign university with substantially equivalent bachelor's degree requirements.
Programs of study leading to the Master of Music (M.M.), Master of Music Education (M.M.E.), Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) are offered through the School of Music. Specific admission procedures and degree requirements for the M.M. and M.M.E. programs are described under division headings. Specific admission procedures and degree requirements for the D.M.A., Ph.D. (musicology/music theory), and Ph.D. (music education/music therapy) are listed in the appropriate sections.
Program Areas
Graduate study in the School of Music is organized into program areas within 2 units:
- Music includes programs in composition, conducting, musicology, music theory, and areas of performance.
- Music Education and Music Therapy (MEMT) includes programs in music education or music therapy.
At least a 3.0 grade-point average, overall and in the major area, is required for all coursework counted toward any graduate degree in the School of Music. If the overall grade-point average falls below 3.0, the student is placed on probation for one semester; if the cumulative average is not 3.0 or higher after the next semester, the student is dismissed from the program. Students must also achieve at least a grade of B or better in thesis, lecture-recital, document or dissertation, and on each recital for satisfactory completion of degree requirements.
M.M.E. in Music Education
Course and Proficiency Requirements
The degree requires a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit. At least one-half of the required credit hours must be in courses at the 700-level or above. The work must be distributed as indicated in the categories shown on the appropriate Master's Degree Program Plan.
Course Distribution
- At least 17 hours in MEMT including MEMT 812 Research in Music Education and Music Therapy (3 hours), MEMT 899 Master’s Thesis (3-5 hours if thesis option) or MEMT 898 Master's Examination (1 hour if nonthesis option), and additional hours to reach the minimum elected from 700- and 800-level MEMT courses, subject to advisor's approval.
- At least 10 graduate hours outside of MEMT, including
- at least 2 hours of applied music or conducting;
- at least 3 hours in music history, theory, or composition.
All selections are subject to the advisor's approval. Students may elect to earn the MME using the thesis or the non-thesis option.
Final Master's Oral Examination (Thesis)
The student must be enrolled in MEMT 899 at the time the final master’s exam is held. The exam will be scheduled for a period of 2 hours. The examination committee shall be comprised of the student’s major advisor and 2 other graduate faculty members jointly selected by the student and major advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to present the final thesis copy to each committee member 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled exam date.
The candidate will begin by giving a twenty-minute oral presentation on his or her thesis, but the exam is not confined to that topic. Thereafter, the candidate will address questions posed by the committee arising from the candidate’s presentation and the thesis document.
Final Master's Oral Examination (Non-Thesis)
The non-thesis option culminates with enrollment in a 1-credit hour in the master's oral examination (MEMT 898).
The student must be enrolled at the time the final non-thesis master’s exam is held. The non-thesis master’s exam includes presenting a portfolio and will be scheduled for a period of 1 hour. The examination committee shall be comprised of the student’s major advisor and 2 other graduate faculty members jointly selected by the student and major advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to present the final portfolio to each committee member 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled examination date.
More information about the thesis or non-thesis option is available online in the MEMT Graduate Handbook.
Plan of Study
The Master of Music Education degree in Music Education (MME-ME) requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, distributed into the categories listed below (thesis and non-thesis options are available). Selections must be approved by your academic advisor. A list of all course offerings can be found on the Schedule of Classes. To track progress, please download the degree progress check sheet.
Contact Information
- Area Coordinator: Jacob Dakon (Music Education), jmdakon@ku.edu, 785-864-4518
- Graduate Student Academic Services: musicgrad@ku.edu
MME in Music Education Program of Study: Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research in MEMT | ||
| MEMT 812 | Research in Music Education and Music Therapy (or equivalent course) | 3 |
| Advanced MEMT Electives | 9-11 | |
| Applied Music or Conducting (minimum of 2 hours) | 2 | |
| Music History, Theory, or Composition (minimum of 3 hours) | 3 | |
| Supportive Studies (minimum of 5 hours) | 5-8 | |
| Master's Thesis Option | ||
| MEMT 899 | Master's Thesis | 3-5 |
MME in Music Education Program of Study: Non-Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research in MEMT | ||
| MEMT 812 | Research in Music Education and Music Therapy (or equivalent course) | 3 |
| Advanced MEMT Electives | 13-16 | |
| Applied Music or Conducting (minimum of 2 hours) | 2 | |
| Music History, Theory, or Conducting (minimum of 3 hours) | 3 | |
| Supportive Studies (minimum of 5 hours) | 5-8 | |
| Master's Non-Thesis Option | ||
| MEMT 898 | Master's Oral Examination | 1 |