Degrees offered: B.M., M.M., M.M.E., D.M.A.
For more than half a century, the music education faculty have inspired fine musicians to become successful teachers. Because of their comprehensive professional and musical training, our graduates occupy the most desirable teaching positions and are leaders in college and music education programs around the world. This department is a center of graduate study and research in music education in the western United States.
Assistant Professor Patrice Madura with
graduate research methods class
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Entrance Requirements
Applicants who select music education as their major must perform an instrumental or vocal audition for the appropriate faculty.All candidates for a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree and California Teaching Credential in music must give a recital and pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) before they can be admitted to student teaching. In addition, students should refer to the Professional Studies Requirements: Single Subject found in the School of Education Teaching Credentials section of the USC Catalogue.
Requirements for the California Single Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential in Music
With careful planning and at least one summer session, it is possible for students to complete both a bachelor's degree in music education and a California Single Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential in Music in four years. Those graduates are then permitted to teach vocal and instrumental music K-12 in the public schools of California and in most other states. Teachers then have five years to complete a California Clear Professional Teaching Credential which consists of approximately 28 post-bachelor degree units.Twelve of the 16 units required for completion of the preliminary credential may also apply toward the required 28 units for the clear credential and toward the Master of Music Education degree at USC. These courses include CTSE 409, CTSE 410, CTSE 474b, MUED 402 and MUED 403.
Performance majors who wish to complete a teaching credential should consult music education faculty advisors as early in their degree as possible to arrange the music education portion of their program. Performance majors may begin work toward the teaching credential as early as their freshman year.
Curriculum Requirements Units General education requirements 6 courses Writing 2 courses Education courses: CTSE 203 (4), 474a (4) 8 MUCD 340 (2), 343 (2) 4 Large ensemble 8 MUED 241ab (4), 301 (1), 345abL (4), 346L (2), 347L (2), 348L (2), 430 (3), 443 (2), 448 (2), 452 (2) 24 MUHL 280ab (6), 385ab (6) 12 MUPF 153 or 201 (4), 220 (2), 250ab (4), 253 or 201 (4), 353 or 401 (2) 16 MUTC 132ab (2), 133ab (6), 232ab (2), 233ab (6), 332ab (2), 338x (2), 340x (2) 22 Electives in music or letters, arts and sciences 6 132 Master of Music in Music Education
This is a traditional master of music degree for bachelor of music degree holders who plan to teach mainly at the college or university level and will continue their progress toward a doctorate in music.Prerequisite-applicants must hold a bachelor of music degree or its equivalent, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Some teaching experience, private, public or studio, is required and evidence of such must be included in the admission application.
The culmination of this degree will consist of a traditionally written master's thesis developed under the guidance of a member of the music education faculty.
Curriculum Requirements Units Ensemble 2 MUHL 570 (2), MUHL electives at the 500 level (6) 8 MUED 500 (2), 501 (2), 594ab (4), electives (4) 12 MUPF (organ, piano, string instrument, vocal arts, or wind or percussion instrument) 4 Electives in music or education 4 30 Master of Music Education
This degree is for all bachelor of music degree holders who plan to teach music at any level and in any format, including preschool, public and private school, college and university, and in private studios.Prerequisite-applicants must hold a bachelor of music degree or its equivalent, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Some teaching experience, private, public or studio, is required and evidence of such must be included in the admission application.
The culmination of the degree will consist of a creative project developed under the guidance of a member of music education faculty. Projects must be reported in written form but need not be limited to traditional written material. Candidates may produce, design, arrange or implement innovative ideas, materials or curricula for specific application in teaching settings.
Curriculum Requirements Units MUED 500 2 At least one course from either MUED 501 (2), 502 (2), 503 (2) or 505 (2) 2 MUED 592 Final Project 2 Electives in music education 6 Electives in music 6 Electives in music, music education, letters, arts and sciences, or any other university departments 12 30 Doctor of Musical Arts, Music Education Major
Applicants for the D.M.A. must hold an appropriate master's degree and supply evidence of successful music teaching experience. The master's thesis or written project must accompany the application for admission. Teaching assistantships are available; inquire about an application and additional information through the department chair.
*May be taken as part of the master's degree.
Curriculum Requirements Units Basic D.M.A. curriculum 24 MUED 502* (2), 503* (2), 550* (2), 601 (2), 602 (2), 603 (2), 604 (2), 790 (2), 792 (2), 794ab (4) 22 Electives 6
