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Master’s in Music Education (MAT)

Compose a Brighter Future with a Music Master’s Degree From BSU

If you hold initial teacher licensure and seek professional licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Bridgewater State University’s established music master’s program marks the next bar in the composition of your career. Our music MAT program meets the most recent Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE) licensure requirements with personal attention to your journey as our top priority.

Our accomplished faculty in the Department of Music bring years of public teaching and diverse performance experience to our graduate music education degree program. Through courses focused on established and new music education techniques, you will acquire skills to create an enriched-instruction environment for middle and high school level students.

Students earning a master’s in music education can complete the program in as little as two years. Start picturing yourself taking the first step toward earning your music master’s today.

Music Education Degree Program Highlights

Professor Robert McManus helps a graduate student prepare the computer for a presentation

Personal attention

As a music master's degree student at BSU, you’ll receive individualized support in classes of 7 to 10 students.
Dr. Donald Running directing flute players who are seated behind music stanchions

Accomplished faculty

Our esteemed professors have extensive public school teaching experience, perform internationally and publish work in music education journals. BSU’s music department faculty include composers, a contributor to The Journal of Band Research, an accomplished pianist and Fulbright scholar and a documentarian of Mali, West Africa’s traditional music.
a BSU graduate student giving a presentation in class

Specialized learning opportunities

You’ll pursue your master’s in music education in real-world settings as you practice teaching and implementing techniques you’ve learned through peer-teaching episodes.

Cutting-edge facilities

Music master’s degree students have access to seven practice rooms, a drum studio, MIDI lab, keyboard lab and dedicated performing spaces.

Program of Study for Music MAT Students

The master’s in music education program at BSU provides professional licensure for music educators. To that end, BSU offers a variety of courses that delve into prominent teaching methods, including a two-week intensive workshop on the Orff Schulwerk approach, taught by a certified Orff instructor. Another graduate music education degree course introduces the early childhood music learning principles of the Gordon Institute for Music Learning.

Both courses arm music master's degree students with a more in-depth understanding of theory and practice to bring to their music education careers. Music MAT students also receive the most up-to-date training in special areas like music and social emotional learning and teaching music to students with special needs.

Admission Requirements and Program Details

Click the link below to reveal the program's admission requirements and program description.

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Program details from 2024-2025 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog

Graduate Program Coordinator: Dr. Sarah McQuarrie

Programs Related to Music Master’s Degree

In addition to a music master’s degree, students may also be interested in pursuing graduate studies in the Art department for licensure to teach art:

Visual Arts, MAT

"I can say that I have worked with many of these students, and they are truly hard-working students, with a positive feelings about the program.”
Susan St. Pierre
retired music teacher Brockton Public Schools

Careers in Music

Some music MAT students use their graduate music education degree as a springboard to their doctorates. Most use their enhanced skills in their K-12 music teaching and performance roles.

Employers say graduates with a master’s in music education have a deeper understanding of curriculum, assessment, music philosophy and teaching techniques. Some job titles BSU students with a master’s in music education hold have included:

  • Founder/Director Entertaining for a Cure Performance Arts Classes
  • Associate Elementary School Principal

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for high school teachers was

$62,870

in 2020 with career opportunities expected to grow 8% by 2030.

Graduate Funding Opportunities

The College of Graduate Studies provides various opportunities for graduate students to receive funding while working towards their degrees. Appointments are competitive and are determined by undergraduate and/or graduate grade point averages, pertinent experience, educational preparation and interviews. For information on assistantships, fellowships and conference funding awards, please visit our Graduate Funding Opportunities page.

The Master of Arts in Teaching Music is eligible for unsubsidized student loans and applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For more specific questions, please visit the Financial Aid Office website or contact them directly at finaid@bridgew.edu.

BSU Graduate Studies Overview Brochure Cover

Graduate Viewbook

View this PDF for an overview of the College of Graduate Studies.

Counselor Education classroom 2020

Cost of Attending

Bridgewater offers competitive tuition and fees for graduate students both in and out of state.

4 students sitting at desks in in a graduate class

Graduate Events

View our graduate events page to RSVP to information sessions, workshops and seminars.

Grad students in a classroom

Apply Now

Create an account to start your application to a graduate program today!