Overview
With over 1,000 music majors, the USC Thornton School counts among its alumni collegiate and public school music educators across the country serving as role models for excellence in musicianship and music education worldwide. Graduates from the USC Thornton School are consistently the first choice by professional performing ensembles and schools looking for the finest musicians and teachers. The music education program offers two degrees, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Music and the Master of Music in Music Education.

Degrees Offered
MAT, MM

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Music

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, 37-unit program.

"The Master of Arts in Teaching Music program is an intensive 13-month course of study that combines music education methods courses from the Thornton School of Music with teacher credentialing classes from the Rossier School of Education. This unique and innovative program represents the most advanced, state-of-the-art approach to music teacher preparation ever devised. 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
Director of the Master of Arts in Teaching Program

Students progress through the 13-month program in a cohort with their peers. They spend the first summer taking core education classes to prepare them for teaching. In the following fall and spring semesters, students focus on their chosen area of expertise, either instrumental or choral/general methods, including teaching in the schools. In the spring and second summer, students continue with their methods courses and fulfill their full time student teaching requirement. Students are immersed in the public school teaching experience, combining peer-to-peer learning with instruction from outstanding practicing music teachers. This provides a hands-on approach to learning the art of music education. The MAT degree leads to California single subject certification to teach music in the public schools, preK-12.

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 an 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, 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.

For more information click here.

Master of Music

The MM is a two-year, 30-unit program consisting of course work in music education and music history as well as individual instruction in piano, an orchestral instrument, or voice and ensemble. A thesis is required.

Faculty
Robert Cutietta
Susan Helfter
Dean Raymond Immel
John L. Whitener
Sheila C. Woodward

Contact
Department of Music Education
USC Thornton School of Music
Los Angeles, California 90089-0851
(213) 740-3211
burmood@thornton.usc.edu