HEGIS Code 1004.00 Inventory of Registered Program Code: 21158
Degree Requirements
The graduate program in Music Education requires satisfactory completion of thirty-six 36 credits of approved graduate courses including a research project. It is designed for those individuals who have Provisional/Initial Certification and wish to attain Professional Certification to teach grades K-12. Twenty-four (24) of these credits must be completed in residence in order to be eligible for the master’s degree. The program provides qualified students the opportunity to advance their study and research in music education and earn a Master of Music degree (M.M.). All requirements must be completed within five years of the date of matriculation.
Admission Standards
All applicants for admission are required to have Provisional/ Initial Certification and demonstrate by audition significant musical skills and a commitment to the advancement of their personal and professional accomplishments.
The following is required for application to the program:
- Complete and submit the Graduation Application
- Submit official transcripts demonstrating completion of a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with proof of initial teacher certification in New York State*. [Completion of an undergraduate major in music education with at least 36 credits of applied music courses and a 3.0 overall G.P.A. are required for admission].
- An audition on the candidate’s principal instrument. The audition should be of two contrasting pieces that demonstrate a level of skill.
- An interview with at least two Music Education Faculty.
- A writing sample at the time of the interview. Topics for writing samples can be selected by the applicant from a provided list.
- Two Letters of recommendation.
* Or equivalent certification from another state, including a minimum edTPA score of 38. Out of state certification will not automatically lead to New York State Professional Certification. It is the student’s responsibility to seek reciprocity for the New York State Initial Certification.
Transfer Credit
Graduate courses completed at an accredited institution, not applied to another graduate degree, completed with a grade of A or B, may be presented for transfer of credit with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. No more than 18 credit hours can be transferred in. Credits must be reviewed for equivalency and the College reserves the right not to accept transfer credits. Grades below B in graduate classes do not carry credit.
Grades
Only courses for which a student receives a final grade of A, or a B can be applied toward the 36 hours required for the MM degree. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Failure to maintain the required 3.0 GPA may be subject to dismissal from the program.
Comprehensive Exams
The comprehensive examination for master’s degree students gives graduate music students an opportunity to demonstrate intellectual mastery and fluency in music theory, music history, and their area of specialty. This is a closed book exam. The comprehensive exam consists of two parts: a written exam (two hours) and an oral exam (30-45 minutes) tailored to the student’s program and area of emphasis. A passing grade will allow the student to continue on the path towards graduation, while a failing grade will require the student to re-take portions of the exam at the discretion of the committee. The Comprehensive exams take place after the student has successfully completed EDU 552 Project Seminar 1.
Each exam will be written and graded for each student by a committee of no less than two (2) faculty members. Students must complete and submit “Request for Authority for Final Comprehensive Exam” form (found in the music department office or online) no less than 15 working days prior to the date of their exams. Rubrics are in the Master of Music Education Handbook.
Written examination: The written exam will consist of three sections: the major area of study, music theory, and music history. Material for questions will be selected from the content of graduate courses taken during enrollment. An important focus of the examination will be to test knowledge in the major area of study. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain a Request for Authority for the Final Comprehensive Exam and submit it to the Music Education Division Chair 15 days prior to the date of the exam.
Oral examination: The oral exam will consist of questions developed by faculty members after reviewing the student’s written examination. The oral component of the exam will give candidates the opportunity to clarify and broaden their written answers and demonstrate mastery of their specific field. It will also give students the opportunity to demonstrate professional communication skills. This exam will take place one to two weeks after the written examination. Students must coordinate with the chair of the committee immediately following the written examination to select a day/time/location for the oral examination.
Grading: Each question on the written examination will be worth 5 points (for a total of 15 points). Students who receive 10 points or less in total will be given the opportunity to retake failed sections of the exam. Students who fail to adjust the total score to 11 points or higher after retaking portions of the written exam must re-sit the entire examination in a subsequent semester. Student must receive a score of 11 points or higher to sit for oral examinations.
The oral examination is a Pass/Fail exam. Students who fail the oral examination must re-sit the entire examination in a subsequent semester. The selected committee must sign off on the comprehensive exams in order for the candidate to move forward with the Capstone Project.
Capstone Project
Part of the Master’s program is a culminating academic work that demonstrates mastery of content, the ability to think critically, and expertise in one’s field of study. Students may choose to complete a Final Project or a Thesis for their Capstone Project. Students should start thinking about their Final Project or Thesis topic early during their coursework. Students must commit to the type of Capstone Project (Final Project or Thesis) they will compete by the end of EDU551 Research Methods and Materials in order to register for the appropriate course work and submit a completed Capstone Project Application to the Music Education Division Chair.
Should the student change their mind as to their Capstone Project they will need to file a new Capstone Project Application form and submit it to the Music Education Department Chair for approval. Students begin working on their proposal when they are enrolled in EDU552 Project Seminar 1and should complete the course with a working proposal. The proposal will be presented to a committee of three faculty members during the week of finals. The proposal must be approved by the committee of three (3) faculty members selected on their knowledge of the topic of the project before continuing with the project in EDU553 Project Seminar 2. The format of the proposal should adhere to FTC’s guidelines which are outlined in the descriptions below.
Thesis
The thesis is original research work that contributes to the body of knowledge for the candidate’s field of study. For the purposes of this degree the thesis will consist of a minimum of five chapters: Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology section, Results section, and Conclusion. A Reference List and Appendices, as needed, are to follow the Conclusion. All work should be submitted according to APA format.
A proposal outlining the type of research and how the research will be conducted must be submitted at the end of EDU552 Project Seminar 1. The proposal should include a clearly defined statement of the purpose and limitations of the thesis, a statement about the need for and importance of the proposed research, and a projected timeline for completion of the research. A Capstone Project Application must be completed and turned prior to submission of the Research Proposal.
Final Project
The Final Project is an original culminating work that emerges from the student’s program of study and demonstrates mastery of content, critical thinking, and scholarship. Possible projects are a Lecture Recital, a Curriculum Project or an Analysis for a K-12 District, or a repertoire analysis of a 3-4 year Choral or Instrumental ensemble for performance at either the elementary, middle, or high school level. All projects must be approved by the Music Education Committee by the conclusion of enrollment in EDU552 Project Seminar 1.
The purpose and parameters of the project must be clearly outlined in the proposal that is submitted at the conclusion of EDU552 Project Seminar 1. A Masters Degree Final Project Application must be completed and turned in at the time of the Research Proposal.
Timeline Start to Finish
Students have 5 years to complete all necessary coursework and their dissertation.
- Acceptance into the MM program
- Complete all Coursework in the Approved Plan of Study.
- Take and successfully pass the Comprehensive Exams.
- Receive proposal approval for the Final Project or Thesis.
- Present the final project or Thesis to the Committee.
Graduation Requirements
Candidates for the Master’s Degree must complete all requirements within five years of the date of matriculation.
- Satisfactory completion of thirty-six (36) credits of course work that are designed to have the student acquire knowledge, expertise, and research skills in the field.
- A minimum of 24 credits at Five Towns College.
- Maintain a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0., with a minimum grade of no less than B- in any given course.
- Successful submission of a Theis or completion of a Final Project.
The courses below are required of all students in the graduate program in Music Education leading to the Master of Music degree. Students in the graduate program in Music Education take 18 credits of music education courses, 12 credits of music core courses, and 6 elective credits to complete the 36- credit requirement for the Master of Music degree.
Music Education Program Recommended Sequence of Courses
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