Music Education, MA Ed
Master of Arts in Education Degree in Music Education

University of Nebraska at Kearney
Overview
Admissions and Requirements
Courses You’ll Take
Tuition & Fees
Program Overview
The fully online Music Education, MA Ed program is designed for teachers wishing to advance their degree and for music enthusiasts.
Students of this program experience:
- Online music courses for teachers seeking a Master of Arts in Education, Music Education degree program
- Education that will serve the students cultural or professional needs
- A variety of courses for those seeking personal or professional fulfillment
Students may choose this program because:
- They are a teacher at the K-12 or community college level looking for musical professional development
- They plan to continue their graduate education toward a doctorate
- They seek personal musical development
- They wish to enhance professional goals
Career Outlook: The need for K-12 educators is in high demand across all areas of study with the demand for Arts, Drama and Music Teachers increasing due to rising student enrollment.
Careers in Music Education include:
- Music Instructor
- Elementary/Primary School Music Teacher
- Secondary School Music Teacher
- Choir Director
- Music Education Supervisor
- Band Director
- Musicologist
- Private Instrument Teacher
- Music Librarian
- Orchestral Musician
- Music Producer
- College, Conservatory or University Music Professor
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
A Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with major in music
3 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
A written personal statement
Philosophy of Teaching essay (300-500 words)
3 letters of recommendation
Official transcripts from all previous schools
Professional resume
NOTE: If you reside in state(s) KY contact a program adviser before applying.
To apply to this program:
- Complete and submit the online application for admissions
- Pay the $45 non-refundable application fee
Courses You’ll Take
Course Information
Core Courses
Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
---|---|---|
MUS 897 | Graduate Capstone Project | 3 |
Prereq: minimum 24 hours graduate music program coursework or permission of graduate program chair/department chair
Research and/or performance final project in an area of special interest to the student that demonstrates an integration of ideas from at least two content areas of the graduate music program—Aesthetics, Education (foundations, philosophy, psychology), History/Literature, Theory, Pedagogy/Methods, and Performance. | ||
MUS 846 | Survey of Choral Literature | 3 |
This course examines significant and noted sacred and secular choral literature from the Renaissance to 21st century through general characteristics and development of form, style, and performance practice considering specific examples of representative works. Department Consent Required. Prerequisite: Completion of Graduate Music Entrance Assessment with a minimum score of 80% or completion of MUS 402 with a minimum grade of "B" and permissions of instructor. | ||
MUS 801 | Music Analysis | 3 |
Prereq: completion of Graduate Music Entrance Assessment with a minimum score of 80% or completion of MUS 402 with a minimum grade of "B"
A study of the architecture of music, and will include analysis of harmonic, melodic, rhythmic, and formal elements in the works of representative composers and styles. The objective of the course is to acquire the ability to approach a piece of music unencumbered by preconceived notions and to discover the structure of music. | ||
MUS 804 | Introduction to Music Research | 3 |
The purposes of this course are for students to gain an overview of online research tools available through the UNK library, applying these tools towards: a class research project; preparation for other graduate level courses; and ultimately the graduate Capstone and gain familiarity with various style manuals (MLA, APA, and Chicago). Prerequisite: Admission to Music graduate program |
Elective Courses
Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
---|---|---|
MUS 815 | Graduate Secondary Applied Instruction Studio | 1 |
Applied study in a secondary area in music composition, piano, vocal or instrumental areas. A jury examination is required at the end of each semester of study. A private lesson fee will be assessed. Total Credits Allowed: 5.00 Prerequisite: Music degree seeking student that has been successfully accepted to the graduate program. | ||
MUS 816P | Special Topics in Piano Pedagogy | 3 |
Topical studies of various teaching techniques and materials used in individual and/or group piano instruction at elementary, intermediate or advanced levels. | ||
MUS 894P | Wind Band Pedagogy | 3 |
This course is designed to further develop the band director's understanding of appropriate literature and rehearsal techniques. The course will promote the refinement of analytical skills necessary to more fully identify, understand, teach, and conduct quality repertoire. The course objectives are designed to improve analytical skills and rehearsal effectiveness through a scholarly approach to score study and rehearsal philosophy. Department consent required | ||
MUS 848 | History of Baroque Music | 3 |
Prereq: completion of Graduate Music Entrance Assessment with a minimum score of 80% or completion of MUS 402 with a minimum grade of "B"
This course develops an in depth understanding of fundamental compositional style elements and performance practices utilized in the Baroque Era, and explores relationships between major philosophical, sociological, and political currents and their relationship to musical developments. The course further acquaints students with landmark composers and compositions that may serve as reference points in their professional musical development. | ||
MUS 812P | Brass Pedagogy | 3 |
A course designed to study the pedagogy, performance, and literature of the brass instruments through lecture, discussion, demonstration, and performance. | ||
MUS 809P | Vocal Pedagogy | 3 |
A study of the problems confronted in dealing with the voice of the beginning and the advanced singer, and an analysis and compilation of suitable literature. | ||
MUS 811P | Woodwind Pedagogy | 3 |
An opportunity to study the problems and techniques peculiar to the woodwind instruments; to gain additional proficiency in playing; and to study teaching methods suitable for both individual and group instruction. | ||
MUS 814 | Aesthetics of Music | 3 |
A survey of the standard literature of aesthetics. A consideration of art in its relation to experience with specific reference to the function of music in an educational program. | ||
MUS 857P | Elementary School Music | 3 |
Current trends in curriculum planning, assessment, and effective teaching strategies at the elementary level. | ||
MUS 852 | History of Twentieth Century Music | 3 |
Prereq: completion of the Graduate Music Entrance Assessment with a minimum score of 80% or completion of MUS 402 with a minimum grade of "B"
This course is designed to increase the depth of the student's knowledge of the music of our own time. It will include an overview of the major currents and composers in 20th century music and will focus on a few specific composers and ideas. | ||
MUS 820P | String Pedagogy | 3 |
A course designed to develop string teaching competency in a public school instrumental program. Actual playing experience combined with study of available materials, organizational procedures, and problems likely to be encountered. | ||
MUS 850 | Graduate Applied Instruction | 2 |
Prereq: submission of a recording of a performance on principal instrument or voice
Applied study in graduate music composition, piano, vocal or instrumental areas. A jury examination is usually required at the end of each semester. A private lesson fee will be assessed. | ||
MUS 895P | Choral Pedgagoy | 3 |
This course is designed to further develop the choral director's understanding of appropriate literature and rehearsal techniques. The course will promote the refinement of analytical skills necessary to more fully identify, understand, teach, and conduct quality repertoire. The course objectives are designed to improve analytical skills and rehearsal effectiveness through a scholarly approach to score study and rehearsal philosophy. Department consent required | ||
EDAD 831 | Social Foundations of Education | 3 |
This course provides insight into the relationship of education to the social order, a rationale for the underlying philosophy of education, and an understanding of how political theory and social forces provide for school organization and authority. | ||
TE 803 | Philosophy of Education | 3 |
Survey of the philosophical foundations of western culture and their relation to the development of earlier and contemporary educational philosophies. | ||
MUS 899P | Music Special Topics | 1 - 3 |
MUS 849 | History of Classical Music | 3 |
Prereq: completion of Graduate Music Entrance Assessment with a minimum score of 80% or completion of MUS 402 with a minimum grade of "B"
This course develops an in depth understanding of fundamental compositional style elements and performance practices utilized in the Classical Era, and explores relationship between major philosophical, sociological, and political currents and their relationship to musical developments. The course further acquaints students with landmark composers and compositions that may serve as reference points in their professional musical development. | ||
MUS 813P | Percussion Pedagogy | 3 |
Emphasis placed on techniques of teaching designed to enhance the educator's ability to identify and correct faulty percussion playing in both individual and ensemble performance; and to serve as a source of information for the development of marching band, concert band and percussion ensembles. | ||
MUS 851 | History of Romantic Music | 3 |
Prereq: completion of the Graduate Music Entrance Assessment with a minimum score of 80% or completion of MUS 402 with a minimum grade of "B"
This course develops an in depth understanding of fundamental compositional style elements and performance practices utilized in the Romantic Era, and explores relationships between major philosophical, sociological, and political currents and their relationship to musical developments. The course further acquaints students with landmark composers and compositions that may serve as reference points in their professional musical development. | ||
CSP 800 | Advanced Educational Psychology | 3 |
This course focuses on school learning, its assessment and factors that are related to it. These factors include, for example, learner's development and characteristics (biological, psychological, cultural and social), learner's exceptionalities, teacher's instructional and behavior management techniques, and social influences. Current issues and problems will be studied and discussed in a seminar setting. There will also be opportunity to study topics of individual concern. |
Tuition & Fees
Nebraska Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $315.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $367.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $945.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $1101.75
Out of State Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $504.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $556.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $1512.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $1668.75
Brian Alber, D.A.
Assistant Professor
Besides co-directing the "Pride of the Plains" Marching Band and the Symphonic Band, Brian Alber brings his immense experience into his teaching experience with students. He is passionate about music and music education and is a member of Nebraska State Bandmasters Associations, College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society and the International Society of the Promotion and Research of Wind Music.
Application Deadlines
- Fall SemesterJul 11
- Spring SemesterNov 11
- Summer SessionsApr 11

