Programs Offered
Master of Music Degree in Music Education
The Master of Music in Music Education (MM, ME) offers a core course of study along with electives in music and education that provides an individualized program catered to the individual’s specific career goals. Candidates for the MM, ME degree must have their baccalaureate degree from an accredited school or department of music and must also demonstrate evidence of accomplishment during their undergraduate years commensurate with those that lead to a Bachelor of Music degree at Pacific. All transcripts and placement tests are evaluated; recommendations for courses of study are made accordingly.
Candidates for the MM, ME must complete the requirements for a teaching credential in music. For students who have not yet earned a teaching credential prior to entering the MM, ME program, there are two paths to satisfy the requirements for a California Single Subject in Music credential prior to completing the degree.
The first option is to complete coursework leading to Single Subject in Music credential, listed below as “Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification” requirements (METC course designators). These postbaccalaureate teacher certification courses are offered in conjunction with Pacific’s Benerd College.
A second option to complete requirements for a teaching credential in music is for MM, ME candidates to verify completion of pre-certification requirements through one or more of the following paths:
- Transcript verification
- California Single Subject Competency verification
- California CSET Examination in Music, and/or
- Credit by Examination
Pacific’s post-baccalaureate teacher certification courses align with those in University of the Pacific's Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree leading to Single Subject in Music credential, with the distinction that they are offered at the post-baccalaureate level as METC courses. Entry into Post- Baccalaureate Certification courses requires admission into the Master of Music, Music Education degree. Pacific does not offer a stand-alone path to single subject certification in music.
For the MM, Music Education degree, the major field is music education. There are two options within the degree. Option one allows students to complete a master’s thesis as part of the degree, with a thesis defense as the Capstone Examination. Option two allows students to take elective music education coursework with a comprehensive examination as the Capstone Examination. Both options allow for personalization of the degree plan. Both options develop Areas I, II, and III below. Those not pursuing a thesis will spend more time on Areas I and II, while the thesis option allows for more coursework developing Area III.
Master of Music in Music Education
Master of Music in Music Education Students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate level units (200+) with a Pacific cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to earn the Master of Music in Music Education. At least 16 of the credits required for graduate degrees in music must be in courses intended for graduate students only. A single course that carries both an undergraduate and a graduate designation is not considered a course intended for graduate students only. Courses which are offered at the 200+ level only are indicated with an asterisk.
Course Requirements for the MM Music Education Degree:
| Major Area | ||
| MUSC 202 | Introduction in Music Research | 2-3 |
| MUSC 203 | Contemporary Issues in Music Education and Music Therapy | 3 |
| Choose a minimum of three units from the following: | 3 | |
| Video Microrehearsal for Music Teaching Candidates | ||
| Instrumental Organization, Conducting and Literature | ||
| Choral Organization, Conducting and Literature | ||
| Advanced Problems in Elementary Music Teaching | ||
| Music Education Electives (MEDU and MPED) at 200 + Level | 3-5 | |
| MEDU 299 | Thesis | 4 |
OR MEDU Electives 200+ | ||
| Total Major Area | 16-21 | |
| Other Studies in Music | ||
| MHIS 200 + | 2 | |
| MCOM 200 + | 2 | |
| MAPM, MPER, or MCON 200 + | 2 | |
| Any 200 + level music course(s) | 3-8 | |
| Total Other Studies in Music | 9-14 | |
| Electives | ||
| 200 + level course(s) | 0-3 | |
| Total Electives | 0-3 | |
| TOTAL UNITS | 30 | |
Musician and Educational Leadership
- Apply advanced musical skills in a variety of performance and educational settings, such as lessons, rehearsals and concerts, as an instrumentalist, vocalist, and/or conductor
- Incorporate advanced music theory and music history knowledge into educational settings
- Demonstrate musical leadership and professionalism
- Demonstrate advanced performance and/or pedagogical techniques across a range of instrument/vocal settings.
Music Education Theory/Philosophy
- Apply comprehensive, in-depth knowledge of the foundations and principles of music education practice
- Articulate and defend a personal philosophy, approach and/or theory to music education
- Identify areas of common practice and philosophy between music education, music therapy, and other educational areas of study.
Research
- Articulate the value and the techniques of various research methodologies in music
- Perform a literature review on a musical topic of interest
- Demonstrate understanding of ethical principles for research, such as principles for protection of human participants and assessment of risk and benefit
- Conduct and present research in music education, to classmates and/or professional organizations.
