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Music Education at UMass Amherst

Welcome! The undergraduate and graduate Music Education programs at UMass Amherst have a long and proud tradition of excellence. We prepare graduates of our program to be innovative, thoughtful, and successful leaders and professionals in the field of music education. Within our program there are three degrees offered (BM, MM, Ph.D.) and a post-baccalaureate music educator licensure program. At UMass Amherst, you can be sure you will receive a contemporary, comprehensive, and practical preparation for a career in music education.

Undergraduate | Licensure | Masters | Ph.D. | Faculty

Don't miss our 2023 Hip Hop Music Education Festival!
March 9 & 10 in the UMass Old Chapel Great Hall. More info =>

UNDERGRADUATE MUSIC EDUCATION

This program prepares graduates to become creative and highly-qualified music educators in PreK-12 schools. Throughout their course of study, students grow and develop their pedagogical skills through cutting-edge curricula, opportunities for guided field experience, and engagement with diverse populations of students - all while interacting with a collaborative community of peers, faculty, and in-service teachers. Coursework includes music education methods, instrumental and vocal techniques, conducting, music theory, private instrument/vocal study, and student teaching at both the elementary and secondary levels. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Music degree with a music education concentration with qualification for initial teacher licensure in Massachusetts. Because of reciprocity agreements between states, you may be able to transfer your license to another state. However, the College of Education at UMass Amherst makes no guarantees that this program meets teacher licensure requirements in any state other than Massachusetts. If you are seeking licensure in another state, you should contact Stephen Paparo, Associate Professor of Music Education, spaparo@umass.edu, for more information about how to determine whether this program will be appropriate for you. Access to your state’s licensing agency is available on the Teacher Licensure Agency Directory.

Music Education class Links to Music Education Bachelor of Music SUBPLANS/course degree checklists:
Wind/Brass/Percussion
Strings
Keyboard-Instrumental
Keyboard-Voice
Voice

General Music Education Undergraduate Course Checklist

The Music Education BM (undergrad) degree track is not currently available to students auditioning as JAZZ majors or minors. However, it may be possible to pursue Music Education and Jazz degrees separately; for more information, please consult with the Coordinators and Admissions Director.

POST-BACCALAUREATE MUSIC TEACHER LICENSURE PROGRAM (Link to detailed webpage)

This program is administered jointly by the College of Education and University Without Walls. All applicants must have an earned Bachelor’s degree in music (any area). This program provides coursework leading to qualification for a Massachusetts Initial Educator License in Music: All Levels (PreK-12). For more information, please see the Program webpage and/or contact Prof. Stephen Paparo.

GRADUATE MUSIC EDUCATION

We offer a Master of Music degree with a concentration in music education. This newly-revised degree offers a fresh and contemporary curriculum to graduate students who want to explore innovative practices and current topics in music education among a community of scholars and practitioners, while further developing their creative, analytical, and teaching skills and/or preparing for doctoral studies in music education. This coursework addresses music education topics related to innovation and contemporary issues, community engagement, music education in global contexts, music and lifelong learning, and musician health and wellness. Students choose one of four focus areas: Applied, Conducting, Pedagogy, and Research.

M.M. in Music Education (Link to SUBPLAN/course degree checklist, pdf)

Complete Graduate Handbook (pdf)

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Education: This terminal degree has been newly-revised to provide theoretical foundations for the examination and exploration of innovative research and pedagogical practices. A limited number of 20-hour teaching associateships are available for highly-qualified applicants who have earned a master's degree and seek professional advancement and/or employment in higher education or arts administration.

Ph.D. in Music Education (Link to SUBPLAN/course degree checklist, pdf)

For more information on our programs, please contact Dr. Lisa Lehmberg (lehmberg@umass.edu).