Music Education

Master's Degree Program

Graduate opportunities

In the Division of Music Education at the University of North Texas, we're dedicated to developing strong leaders in music education.

Our Master of Music Education degree provides you the teaching, administrative and leadership skills needed for success in a variety of educational settings. You can select either a teaching emphasis or a research emphasis.

The teaching emphasis is for school music teachers wanting to advance their knowledge in the practice and theory of music instruction. The research emphasis is recommended for those who might want to teach music in higher education. Both tracks require passing a comprehensive exam consisting of a thesis or the defense of a project practicum, depending on your track.

Outstanding faculty

Our faculty members remain current on trends through various research projects. Research topics include, but are not limited to:

• Choral music education
• Community music
• General music pedagogy
• Instrumental instruction
• Sociological context

They've also published many articles in peer-reviewed journals, written or contributed to textbooks and conducted presentations at regional, national and international conferences. Several faculty members remain active in music education through community outreach programs such as the Early Childhood Music Program and the New Horizons Senior Band.

The College of Music is one of the nation's most comprehensive music schools and is recognized internationally for its artistic and academic excellence. The college is vital to the region's arts community, presenting more than 1,000 formal and informal concerts annually. Its facilities include:

• More than 300 practice rooms
• Seven performance halls
• Numerous classrooms and rehearsal rooms
• Computer labs

UNT provides a wide variety of services exclusively to graduate students. The Graduate Student Writing Support office can help you with writing, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research offers assistance with statistical research.

The Toulouse Graduate School® offers several professional development workshops, including a Thesis Boot Camp. Many of the workshops are available online for your convenience.

Attending UNT

Admission requirements

Applying to the Music Education program is a two-step process. First, you'll need to meet the admission requirements for the graduate school. Specific requirements are outlined at the graduate school website. Second, once accepted by the graduate school, you'll need to complete an online College of Music application and supply the following materials to the Division of Music Education:

• Current résumé or curriculum vitae
• GRE scores
• Personal statement addressing teaching, music and long-range professional goals
• Teaching DVD or video tape
• Three letters of recommendation
• Writing sample of an undergraduate paper or scholarly work

Degree requirements

Teaching emphasis

• 12 credit hours of required music education courses
• 10 credit hours of music courses outside of music education
• 9 credit hours of electives
• 3 credit hours of project practicum

Research emphasis

• 12 credit hours of required music education courses
• 10 credit hours of non-music education electives
• 6 credit hours of research courses
• 6 credit hours of thesis

Financial assistance

Our division funds several competitive, merit-based scholarships, teaching assistantships and teaching fellowships to help you pursue your degree. Teaching fellowships allow you to teach courses and serve as the primary instructor. Teaching assistants often teach a music fundamentals course, work with the Early Childhood Music Program or the New Horizons Senior Band or oversee the Music Education Resource Room.

Information about these opportunities is available by contacting the music education office. Visit the financial aid website for information about other financial assistance programs.