The M.M. music education degree is designed to cultivate continued development of professional competence beyond the baccalaureate degree. High levels of musicianship and pedagogical expertise are integrated into a comprehensive program of study. Unique to the degree in music education are four degree options that enable students to pursue individual interests and talents. At the core of each of the 30-hour degree option is coursework that immerses students in the foundations and research of music education, performance studies, music history, and music theory. To complete the degree, students can select from the following four options of coursework and culminating projects:
- Field Study Option: This degree option emphasizes teaching and includes opportunities to integrate performance studies and research with a school-based field study that demonstrates application of knowledge and skills from graduate study as a culminating project.
- Recital Option: This degree option emphasizes performance studies and includes opportunities to integrate research and teaching with a representative public recital that demonstrates advanced performance competence as a culminating project.
- Thesis Option: This degree option emphasizes research and includes opportunities to integrate performance and teaching with an original thesis that demonstrates advanced research and writing competence as a culminating project.
- Certification Option: This degree option is designed for persons who obtained an undergraduate degree in music other than music education. Coursework (including student teaching) leads to a professional certificate (birth-adult music, West Virginia) and is combined with a master's degree in music education with the generation of a professional portfolio as a culminating project. Students begin the program with a series of undergraduate courses that are necessary for certification. This block of undergraduate courses ranges from zero to twenty credits depending on the student's previous coursework.