Program Overview
Designated for music educators who want to enhance their impact, the MME program helps students to improve as educators and make positive change in their classrooms and school communities. Students design their own 12-credit "focus-area" of courses tailored to their particular interests and goals and learn skills and techniques that can be immediately applied to their current teaching or used as preparation for doctoral work. Example areas of focus include choral pedagogy, choral conducting, voice pedagogy, Kodály (with certification) and music technology.
The degree is for individuals with significant music teaching experience. Students do not earn teacher certification through this degree program. The MME program may be completed part-time through online classes and summer study or over two academic years.
Music Education Courses Online
The following music education courses are offered in rotation during the summer in an online format. Students in the MME or BM-MME programs may take either the traditional or online format to complete their degree. Students in other degree programs may take these courses as free electives:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ME 685 | Improving Musical Practice: Research in Music Education | 3 |
| ME 692 | Social Justice in Music Education: History, Philosophy, and Practice | 3 |
| ME 721 | Curriculum Development & Evaluation | 3 |
| ME 723 | Social, Emotional, and Musical Learning | 3 |
| ME 693 | Seminar in Music Educ | 3 |
CP 640 Creative Practices in Choral Pedagogy is offered online during the summer and may be used as an elective in graduate music education.
Degree Offered:
- Master of Music Education (M.M.E.)
Contact
Tom T. Shelton, Jr., M.M.
Associate Professor and Chairperson
Department of Choral Conducting, Music Education and Sacred Music
School of Westminster Choir College
Omega House #211
609-896-5000 x8274
tshelton@rider.edu
Program Website: Westminster Choir College Graduate Programs
Associated Department: Department of Choral Studies, Music Education and Sacred Music
Faculty
Jason Vodicka • Associate Professor, Music Education, 2018. B.M., M.M., Westminster Choir College; D.M.A., University of Georgia.
Frank Abrahams • Professor Emeritus, Music Education, 1992. B.M.E., Temple University; M.M., New England Conservatory; Ed.D., Temple University.
Maureen Murphy-Fernandez • Adjunct Instructor, Music Education, 2016. B.S., West Chester University.
Marshall Onofrio • Professor, Music Education, 2007. B.M., B.S., University of Connecticut; M.M., University of Illinois; M.M., University of Nebraska-Lincoln; D.M.A., The Ohio State University.
Sarah Perry • Assistant Professor, Music Education, 2021. B.S., Elizabethtown College; M.A., Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University.
G. Preston Wilson, Jr. • Assistant Professor, Music Education, 2021. B.M., Fisk University; M.M., Bowling Green State University.
Master of Music Education (M.M.E.) Program Requirements
(32-33 credits)
Learn more about General Graduate Policies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ME 692 | Social Justice in Music Education: History, Philosophy, and Practice | 3 |
| ME 685 | Improving Musical Practice: Research in Music Education 1 | 3 |
| ME 723 | Social, Emotional, and Musical Learning | 3 |
| Music Education Elective. Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Music Educ | ||
or ME 682 | Choral Music Education | |
or ME 721 | Curriculum Development & Evaluation | |
or ME 730 | Pedagogy and Practice | |
or ME 771 | Critical Pedagogy for Music Ed | |
| Complete 1 credit in one of the following courses: | 1 | |
| Thesis | ||
or ME 775 | MME Capstone | |
| Core Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Music History/Music Theory Elective | 3 | |
| Choral Experience 2 | 1-2 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Area of Emphasis 4 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 32-33 | |
- 1
ME 685 prepares students to write the thesis for the course ME 650. However, with permission of the Music Education Department students may substitute MH 731, Introduction to Musicology. Students should plan on at least one full year to complete the thesis after taking a research course.
- 2
Students may take any approved WCC Ensemble, including CR 509 Symphonic Choir; CR 513 Williamson Voices; CR 515 Westminster Kantorei; CR 517 Master Singers; SM 509 Jubilee Singers; SM 519 Concert Handbell Choir I; Choral Institute at Oxford; Conducting Institute; Summer Choral Festival, or another WCC ensemble by approval of the department chair.
- 3
The core elective must be a single, 3-credit graduate-level course outside the student's major area, area of emphasis, and/or area of applied study.
- 4
Emphasis must be formally presented to the department chair or advisor for approval. Suggested courses include Semminar in Music Education, Curriculum Development, Pedagogy and Practicum, Conducting, Conducting Institute, Oxford, Choral Pedagogy Institute, Kodaly I, II, III, ATM4, VC/OR/PI study, Theory/Comp., Music Theatre, Popular Music, CP, MVP courses, School of Ed. courses, etc.
Notes:
- Students may elect to complete New Jersey approved teacher certification courses at the undergraduate level in conjunction with this degree program. Courses taken at the undergraduate degree level do not count towards the completion of the MME degree. Candidates who wish to complete teacher certification must plan on three semesters of study during the academic year.
- Students complete a thesis as the capstone experience in the degree. Information about the thesis is contained in the Music Education Thesis and Capstone Handbook found on the Music Education website. Students should plan at least one year to complete the thesis.
Courses and Descriptions
ME 650 Thesis 1 Credits
Independent research under faculty supervision leading to the writing of a master’s thesis. Students register for this course in every semester or summer term in which assistance is provided by the thesis advisor.
Prerequisite(s): ME 685 (preferred) or MH 731; Permission of the Chair for Music Education is required to register for this course.
ME 682 Choral Music Education 3 Credits
This course is designed to assist choral music educators to improve their pedagogical effectiveness. This course will provide students with the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary for developing comprehensive musicianship in the choral ensemble setting through the study of creating original music, responding to music, connecting to students and performing vocal/choral music with a primary focus on choral pedagogy, curriculum development, unit and rehearsal planning, programming, vocal development, program management, music literacy pedagogy, music technology and assessment.
ME 685 Improving Musical Practice: Research in Music Education 3 Credits
Intended for students in the MME and BM-MME degree programs, this course focuses on research as a tool for improving practice. Course members will read qualitative and quantitative research studies and consider the impact of research on their teaching. Course members will also plan and conduct original research that will help them to analyze their specific teaching contexts, identify and conduct inquiry into problems, and refine their practice as educators.
ME 692 Social Justice in Music Education: History, Philosophy, and Practice 3 Credits
The purpose of this course is two-fold. First, the course will explore the historical perspectives that have significantly shaped and informed music teaching and learning within American public education during the last century. Second, students will encounter, engage with, and interrogate philosophies and theories of practice from social justice perspectives in order to critically consider the place and purpose of music and music education within educational and societal contexts.
ME 693 Seminar in Music Educ 3 Credits
While the topics vary from year to year, international perspectives in music education form the foundation for this seminar.
ME 721 Curriculum Development & Evaluation 3 Credits
This course examines the relationship between curriculum theory and philosophy of music education. Through the study of traditional and contemporary models of curriculum development and evaluation, students broaden their understanding of curriculum as it impacts the learning process. Post modern theory consistent with the Department’s commitment to Critical Pedagogy for Music Education provide the focal point for the development of curricula that enhance and support quality music education. Course content, activities and experiences in this course covers New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Music and prepares students to meet the New Jersey Professional Standards for Teaching.
ME 723 Social, Emotional, and Musical Learning 3 Credits
This course examines topics in psychology of music from the lens of social emotional learning. This theoretical lens will allow students to find the relationships between music-making as social and cultural practices and the development of individual and collective psychological process in music teaching and learning. Major topics include affective and physiological responses to music, musical enculturation, learning theory, well-being and wellness, musical aptitude, developmental processes, and motivation. Students will discuss literature in the psychology of music with applications to K-12 music classes and rehearsals and conduct a pilot study in an area of interest based upon knowledge from the literature.
ME 730 Pedagogy and Practice 3 Credits
This course explores the intersection of philosophy, psychology, pedagogy and practice by providing students with guided teaching experiences connected to their current teaching situation. Throughout the course, students will be challenged to evaluate their own teaching against philosophical, psychological, pedagogical, and research-based models of music instruction. In addtion to guided teaching experiences, students will participate in a weekly seminar class during which they will share and reflect on their experiences in the field and discuss topics pertinent to teaching and learning music.
ME 771 Critical Pedagogy for Music Ed 3 Credits
This course presents the fundamental concepts, contexts and constructs that define Critical Pedagogy for Music Education. It focuses on the application of critical theory as a philosophical perspective to inform decisions teachers make when planning instruction for their students.
ME 775 MME Capstone 1 Credits
Independent research leading to a completed capstone project, such as curriculum and assessment development, pedagogical publication or presentation, instructional materials, etc. The project must be approved by the department.
Prerequisite(s): ME 685 and permission of the Music Education Chair.