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MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING (MAT) GENERAL MUSIC

The Master of Arts in Teaching General Music degree is offered for the music teacher who has an initial license and is seeking a professional license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The MAT program is designed to meet the "appropriate master's degree" requirement, which is part of the criteria for professional stage teaching licensure, as set forth in the most recent DOE licensure regulations. This degree program will also appeal to music teachers who already hold a standard level or professional license and want to acquire additional knowledge and a master's degree in general music.

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree in music, an initial teaching license and teaching experience in classroom music, three appropriate letters of recommendation, a composite score of 900 or more on the quantitative and verbal parts of the GRE General Test, and a 2.75 GPA based upon four years of undergraduate work or a 3.0 undergraduate GPA based upon work completed during the junior and senior years (on a 4.0 scale or equivalency). The music department requires a passing score on the music department music proficiency test and either a formal audition or a video of the applicant's teaching and/or conducting. (The demonstration must evidence basic competency.) Proficiency in the use of technological applications for music education is required and will be assessed by the department's technology specialist. MAT applicants are expected to have, or acquire in addition to degree requirements, an appropriate background of college-level courses, to be determined by the department (see number eight in Admission Requirements).

Since most music teachers teach general music as part of their teaching assignments, the focus on general music is practical. Students will be permitted to enroll in courses for this program only after meeting with their advisers to plan and develop a coherent program of graduate study. The program outline should be appropriate to the background and objectives of the candidate and the goals of general music teacher education. A candidate for this program will be expected to have taken at least one course in general music methods prior to enrolling in this program. A candidate missing such background will be required to take either MUSC456: Music Methods and Materials or MUSC455: Creative Activities in Elementary Music in addition to regular program requirements.

Course work for this program consists of fifteen credits of education core courses and a minimum of eighteen credits in music education courses. (See course listing within Admission Requirements.) Successful completion of a comprehensive examination is also required.

GOALS OF THE MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING GENERAL MUSIC EDUCATION
For the music teacher who has an initial license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

To fulfill the "appropriate master's degree" requirement for professional stage teaching licensure, as set forth in the most recent Commonwealth of Massachusetts licensure regulations
To acquire advanced training in instruction and assessment for music education
To participate in a forum with other music educators to analyze issues and problems that arise in the current music education environment
To investigate the role of music in a multi-cultural setting
To learn practical applications for teaching general music at multiple levels
To develop the skills required for the critical evaluation of current research and to become familiar with the methods and technology surrounding scientific inquiry
To examine and analyze philosophical, historical, and aesthetic issues related to music education