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| Undergraduate Program | Graduate
Programs |
| Masters of Music in Music Education |
Northwestern University has been in the forefront of music education for decades,
producing literally thousands of teachers that can be found throughout the
world. Flexible programs offer a wide array of coursework — much of it found nowhere else — as
well as options for double majors, added certification, and many opportunities
for independent study.
Classes are small so that students receive individual attention from faculty
who are vitally interested in issues of creative and critical thinking, philosophically
based education, student-centered learning, issues of social context, and music
technology. The Doctoral Research Center CSEME engages graduate students in creative study side by side with faculty, a feature that makes this program especially innovative. All students in the PhD program receive full tuition and a living stipend so that they may fully devote themselves to research and study.
Undergraduate Program
Northwestern's undergraduate program offers distinct advantages. Not only
does its high standards far exceed state and national requirements, but the
quarter system allows for more courses and experiences in four years than are
generally found in other programs, such as "Teaching Composition in the
Schools" and "Technology
for the Music Educator." Students
may elect a double major, usually in education plus a performance area, that
can be completed in four years. Collaborations with over 60 schools in the
Chicago area provide many opportunities for practice teaching, as does the
student-founded Music
Learning Community.
Job placement each year is 100%.
For more information, contact Janet Barrett at j-barrett3@northwestern.edu.
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Graduate Programs
Flexible and individualized are the watchwords of the graduate program. Master's
students design a personalized course of study that includes 8 electives and
4 core courses, blending research and practice. The degree may be earned in
one academic year or during a four-summer program. Graduate assistantships
are available to students during the yearlong program. Students may also receive
in two years a master's degree with certification, if they are not already
certified.
For more information on the master's degree in Music Education, contact Janet
Barrett at j-barrett3@northwestern.edu.
The PhD program in music education is considered one of the finest anywhere.
Interdisciplinary in nature, it combines coursework within the School of Music
with programs located in many other parts of the university. Research opportunities
abound, supported directly by the Doctoral Research Center, CSEME. Graduates
can be found in prestigious positions at colleges and universities both here
and abroad. All students in this program receive full tuition and a living
stipend so that they may fully devote themselves to research and study.
For more information on the PhD in Music Education, contact Peter Webster
at pwebster@northwestern.edu.
Important Note
The Music Education Program is closely aligned with the School
of Education and Social Policy teacher education unit. Students receive their K-12
certification from the SESP
certification office. As part of that unit, the
program has adopted the Conceptual
Framework philosophy, created by the teacher
education unit.
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Master of Music in Music Education
| Double Major | Financial Aid | String
Pedagogy & Piano Pedagogy |
| Degree
Requirements | Four-Summer Masters Program |
This flexible degree program provides
a strong foundation in philosophy, research, curriculum design, and technology.
In planning an appropriate course of study, students may draw upon the resources
of the School of Music and the entire University to meet individual professional
interests and needs. Those with successful teaching experience and who are
already certified to teach can complete the program in a year-long, three
quarter sequence, or during four consecutive summer quarters.
For more information on masters degree in Music Education, contact Janet Barrett
at j-barrett3@northwestern.edu.
Master’s Degree with Teaching Certification
Students who do not already hold teaching certification may obtain
it by completing the program requirements for the master of music
in addition to:
- course work that leads to certification in the state of Illinois
- appropriate field experience
- formal student teaching
This degree program, which generally comprises two years of full-time
study, is not available to students in the four-summer master’s
program.
Double Major
Students may combine the music education master’s degree
with a master’s program in another area within the School
of Music (such as conducting or performance) to pursue a degree
with two majors. Students must meet the requirements for admission
of both programs. Double majors require additional quarters of
study.
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Music Ed ]
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Financial Aid
Aid is available for students in the year-long or multi-year
curriculum only. Aid is not available for students in the summer
program.
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Music Ed ]
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String Pedagogy and Piano Pedagogy Programs
The School of Music maintains separate pages for the string pedagogy
and piano pedagogy programs. These programs offer Masters degrees
in "Music Education and String Pedagogy" and "Music Education and
Piano Pedagogy."
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Masters of Music in Music Education
Degree Requirements
Coursework
- Foundation Courses (required)
- Philosophical Bases of Music Education
- Paradigms and Processes of Research
- Technology, Computers, and the Musical Experience
- Curriculum Development in Music Education
- Professional Emphasis and Electives. Students
take two related courses that form a professional emphasis.
- Instrumental Music/Conducting. Courses
may be chosen from music education, instrumental
music education, conducting, arranging, and instrumental
music
- Choral Music/Conducting. Courses
may be chosen from music education, choral music
education, conducting, and choral music.
- Alternative Emphasis. Courses may
be chosen from an area that meets a special need
(requires approval of a written plan outline). Examples
include general music, music technology, composition,
creative thinking administration and supervision,
music and psychology, ethnic music, music and medicine.
- Music History, Theory, and Aural Skills
Diagnostic exams in music theory are used to advise students
in the selection of appropriate theory courses. Students are encouraged
to conduct a self-analysis of their strengths and weaknesses in
music history and aural skills and may elect courses in these areas.
Although specific courses are not required, students must demonstrate
their understanding of history and theory through special domain
projects as part of the portfolio process.
Applied Music and Ensemble Participation
Private study is available for students achieving the “300” level
or higher in their entering performance audition, with a maximum
of three units counting toward the degree. All students are
required to participate in ensemble(s) during their residency at
Northwestern. Ensemble credit does not count toward the 12
units required for graduation.
Teaching Demonstration
All students must show evidence of outstanding teaching ability
in a professional setting. Of particular importance is the application
of coursework to teaching and learning. If student teaching
is part of a degree program, this experience will count as the
teaching demonstration.
Final Oral Examination and Portfolio
A final examination is scheduled during the final week at Northwestern
to provide closure for the master’s program. At the time
of the oral exams, students present their portfolios. These portfolios
include domain projects in music theory, music history, and in
areas of particular interest to the student.
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Music Ed ]
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The degree requirements of the year-long curriculum can also be
completed in a four-summer master’s program. Students typically
take three courses and participate in an ensemble each summer,
with the oral examination and portfolio presentation scheduled
during the fourth summer.
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Music Ed ]
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