Please note that admission for the MAT in Teaching Music is managed by the USC Rossier School of Education. Please refer to the Rossier School website for application requirements.

In the USC Thornton Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Music program, the Thornton School of Music and the Rossier School of Education have developed an intensive plan that prepares outstanding musicians to become exceptional music educators through an immersive 13-month, 39-unit program. The program accommodates students of all musical backgrounds, including jazz, piano, studio guitar, voice, band, and orchestral instruments

"The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Music program is an intensive 13-month course of study that combines music education method courses from the Thornton School of Music with teacher credentialing classes from the Rossier School of Education. This unique and innovative program represents an advanced, state-of-the-art approach to music teacher preparation. Each year a select cohort of students makes the transition from outstanding musician to exceptional music educator. MAT Music program graduates enter the job market armed with a California Teaching Credential and a Master's degree, highly qualified and fully prepared to take on the challenges of today's schools."

- Dr. John L. Whitener

Distinctive Features:

• Students earn both a Master’s degree and teaching credential in 13 months
• Students can choose between two tracks: Instrumental and Choral/General
• Graduates will be in high demand and can enter the salary scale at a higher level in most school districts
• The program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Admission to the program requires a bachelor’s degree in music (BA, BMus) from a NASM-accredited institution and the successful completion of an interview or audition with the music education faculty, with accepted students entering the program each May. However, current USC undergrad music majors may enroll early in the program prior to graduation in either their junior or senior year. For early enrollment info, contact Debra Penberthy at dpenbert@usc.edu. Financial aid and scholarships are available. For more information on the program, please contact Dr. John Whitener at whitener@usc.edu.

The USC Thornton School of Music and the USC Rossier School of Education jointly administer the MAT, with the degree being conferred by the Rossier School.

Admitted students begin classes in early summer and must enroll as full-time students through the following summer, which includes a 14-week student teaching experience. For applications and further information, see the USC Rossier School of Education Web site or call (213) 740-3471.

All of the materials listed below must be received by the December 1st deadline. Any application not complete by December 1st may be removed from consideration.

The Master of Music program has been designed to provide music educators with courses that will rigorously improve their scholarship, research and practice in the field. We welcome applications from national and international students. In addition, we aim to accommodate local students who wish to maintain their full-time teaching jobs, offering alternative schedules, such as classes in the evenings and summers. The degree offers a seamless transition into the DMA in Music Education, with credit being applied for most courses taken at the Master level. All of the materials listed below must be received by the December 1st deadline. Any application not complete by December 1st may be removed from consideration. For further information on applications, contact Thornton Admissions at uscmusic@usc.edu or (213) 740-8986 or (800) 872-2213. For additional information on the program, contact Dr. Sheila Woodward, Chair of Music Education, at swoodwar@usc.edu or (213) 740-3011.

Any application not complete by December 1st may be removed from consideration.

Required items:

• USC Graduate Application to be submitted with the following documents online
• Statement of Objectives (see below)
• Résumé (see below)
• Writing Sample (see below)
• 3 Letters of Recommendation (see the USC online application for instructions on how to submit)
• Materials to be delivered to USC Admission (click here for the correct mailing address)
• Official Transcripts
• GRE (general test only)
• TOEFL score report (required from all applicants for whom English is a second language, regardless of educational background or immigration status)

• DVD Recording (see below) – to be mailed directly to the Thornton Admission Office (see address below)

USC Thornton Office of Admission
927 West 35th Street- PIC 212
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0021

DVD Recording

A video recording of the applicant teaching should be submitted for the purpose of evaluating the applicant's teaching skills and level of experience. The recording should be approximately 15 minutes in length.

Statement of Objectives

Describe in detail your goals for pursuing an MM in Music Education, both short term and long term.

Résumé

The résumé should list musical, professional and academic experience, including details regarding 3 or more years of teaching experience (whether private, public or studio teaching).

Writing Sample

This sample should consist of a literature review, essay or research report in the music education field.

**Please do not send any additional materials to the USC Thornton Office of Admission.

All of the materials listed below must be received by the December 1st deadline. Any application not complete by December 1st may be removed from consideration.

The new DMA in music education at USC equips college and university professors to train music teachers who can meet the challenges of increasingly diverse and technologically-proficient communities, while being able to rigorously participate in the public debate on the value and roles of music and music education. Students have the opportunity to intern with university professors in music education methodology classes, including and going beyond traditional models and formal public school education. Scholarship skills are rigorously developed through studies in music education research, history, philosophy, sociology and psychology. Students will acquire writing and design skills for a wide range of multimedia publications, while being able to pursue a choice of research activities or cutting-edge creative work that will enable them to lead our profession to new heights. In addition, students have the opportunity to minor in two additional fields within or outside of music. We welcome applications from national and international students. In addition, we aim to accommodate local students who wish to maintain their full-time teaching jobs, offering alternative schedules, such as classes in the evenings and summers. All of the materials listed below must be received by the December 1st deadline. For further information on applications, contact Thornton Admissions at uscmusic@usc.edu or (213) 740-8986 or (800) 872-2213. For additional information on the program, contact Dr. Sheila Woodward, Chair of Music Education, at swoodwar@usc.edu or (213) 740-3011.

Required items:

• USC Graduate Application
• Statement of Objectives (see below)
• Résumé (see below)
• Writing Sample (see below)
• 3 Letters of Recommendation (see the USC online application for instructions on how to submit)
• Materials to be delivered to USC Admission (click here for the correct mailing address)
• Official Transcripts
• GRE (general test only)
• TOEFL score report (required from all applicants for whom English is a second language, regardless of educational background or immigration status)

• DVD Recording (see below) – to be mailed directly to the Thornton Admission Office (see address below)

USC Thornton Office of Admission
927 West 35th Street- PIC 212
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0021

DVD Recording

A video recording of the applicant teaching should be submitted for the purpose of evaluating the applicant's teaching skills and level of experience. The recording should be approximately 15 minutes in length.

Statement of Objectives

Describe in detail your goals for pursuing a DMA in Music Education, both short term and long term.

Résumé

The résumé should list musical, professional and academic experience, including details regarding 3 or more years of teaching experience (whether private, public or studio teaching).

Writing Sample

This sample should consist of a literature review, essay or research report in the music education field.

**Please do not send any additional materials to the USC Thornton Office of Admission.