Graduate Programs
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General Requirements
Admission to the graduate music program is based on general requirements of the University. Prospective MA and MMT students audition and interview with department faculty appropriate to the degree program.
Master of Arts (MA) in Music Education (36 cr.)
PA Department of Education requires minimum 3.0 GPA (on 4.0 scale) in undergraduate degree for admission to graduate education programs. Applicants audition on applied major instrument and take entrance exams in music theory/music history for placement in graduate coursework. An applicant may submit videotape evidencing music teaching proficiency to support application.
Degree Candidacy: Admission to graduate study does not assure admission to candidacy for the degree. A thorough assessment of the candidate's academic progress is made by the music department, including completion of 12 credits with "B" or better GPA, all prerequisites for degree program have been met. Notification of candidacy is given in writing by the department administrator.
Upon completion of coursework, degree candidates take the comprehensive exam (written/oral) and complete degree requirements by choosing master's thesis, professional contribution (project), or lecture-recital under the direction of department faculty mentor.
The MA in music education degree leads to eligibility for permanent certification in PA and in other states that accept the certificate. Candidates must complete all requirementments for initial PA certification, including successful practice teaching in music K-12. Course numbers, titles, and credits are listed below.
I. Required Major Courses (15 cr.)
| EDUC 502 | Multidisciplinary Foundations of Education (required for all graduate education majors) | 3 |
| MUSC 543 | Intro to Music Bibliography & Research (substitute EDUC 501 Research Theory) |
3 |
| MUSC 506 | Psychology of Music (online) | 3 |
| MUSC 521 | Seminar in Elementary Education | 3 |
| MUSC 522 | Seminar in Secondary Education | 3 |
II. Supportive Courses (12 cr.)
| MUSC 501 | Computers and Technology for the Musician | 3 |
| MUSC 511 | Analytical Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 519 | Seminar in World Music | 3 |
| MUSC 525 | Admin and Supervision of Music Ed (online) | 3 |
III. Electives (9 cr.) -- choose from the following 3 tracks:
Music Education/Music History Emphasis
| MUSC varies | Seminar in Music History (seminars MUSC 507, 512, 513, 516, 517, 518 offered on rotating basis) |
3 |
| MUSC 527 | History and Philosophy of Music Ed | 3 |
| MUSC 528 | Seminar in Working with Special Needs Students | 3 |
Vocal Emphasis
| MUSC 530 | Choral Arranging | 3 |
| MUSC 531 | Choral Literature and Conducting | 3 |
| MUSC 528 | Seminar in Working with Special Needs Students | 3 |
| MUSC 545 | Seminar in Vocal Pedagogy I | 3 |
| MUSC 546 | Seminar in Vocal Pedagogy II | 3 |
Instrumental Emphasis
| MUSC 520 | Instrumental Literature and Conducting | 3 |
| MUSC 526 | Care and Repair of Instruments | 3 |
| MUSC 536 | Instrumental Arranging | 3 |
| MUSC varies | Applied Music (two semesters ensemble participation required) | 0 |
Required Capstone for the MA degree in Music Education:
Degree candidates, in consultation with graduate faculty advisor, choose one professional contribution option:
| MUSC 555T | Master's Thesis | 3 |
| MUSC 555R | Lecture/Recital | 0 |
| MUSC 555W | Workshop | 0 |
Master of Music Therapy (MMT)
Applicants for the MMT degree must have minimum 3.0 GPA (on 4.0 scale) in undergraduate coursework. All applicants must schedule an interview with program director. Applicants should also submit a CD/videotape demonstrating music skills on piano, guitar, and voice as utilized in music therapy practice. An audition is required for those pursuing the degree-equivalency. Board certification (MT-BC) applicants must submit an essay on a professional area of interest and reason for pursuing the graduate degree in music therapy. Course numbers, titles, and credits are listed below.
The Master in Music Therapy degree is comprised of two options:
Option I: Non-licensure (36 credits)
- Two-year, non-licensure, stand-alone program designed as traditional graduate degree model.
- Specializations in gerontology, counseling, special education, or social work.
- Additional training in supervision; elective of Level I Bonny Guided Imagery and Music (BGIM).
- Applicants must demonstrate functional competencies in: (a) applied music--voice, guitar, and keyboard; and,
(b) music technology. Evaluation is ongoing via juries and practicum performance.
Option II: Licensure (60 credits)
- Designed for licensure in music therapy. Program meets PA and NY state licensure requirements.
- Candidates complete 48 credits coursework and 12 credits internship.
Option I. Non-licensure (36 cr.)
Applicants must demonstrate functional competencies in: (a) applied music—voice, guitar, and keyboard; and,
(b) music technology. Evaluation is ongoing via juries and practicum performance.
I. Music Therapy Core (18 cr.)
| PSY 501 or PSY 503 |
Research Methods or Research and Statistics I (required for specialist in counseling) |
3 |
| M TH 510 | Theories in Creative Arts Therapy | 3 |
| M TH 511 | Assessment/Appraisal in Music Therapy | 3 |
| M TH 512 | Ethical & Legal Issues in Music Therapy | 3 |
| M TH 513 | Advanced Improvisation and Arranging | 3 |
| M TH 550 | Graduate Practicum--Seminar I | 3 |
II. Supportive Courses--Specialization (18 cr.)
M TH 551 Graduate Practicum Seminar II required for Option I. Candidates take 9 credits of coursework in one of four specialty areas (gerontology, counseling, special education, or social work), plus 6 additional credit hours.
A. Specialty in Gerontology (12 cr.)
| GER 510 | Concepts and Issues in Gerontology (cross-listing SW 941) | 3 |
| GER 520 | Psychological Perspectives on the Aging (cross-listing PSY 540) | 3 |
| GER 527* | Gerontological Services Administration | 3 |
| GER 525 or |
Aging Changes and Health Problems or | 3 |
| GER 528* | Administration of Long-Term Care | 3 |
| M TH 551 | Graduate Practicum--Seminar II | 3 |
*GER 527 and GER 528 required for candidates specializing in administration of facilities for elderly.
B. Specialty in Counseling (12 cr.)
| PSY 514 | Human Development | 3 |
| PSY 561 | Intro to Psychological Testing | 3 |
| M TH 551 | Graduate Practicum--Seminar II | 3 |
| PSY 572 or |
Intro to Group Psychotherapy or | 3 |
| COUN 543 | Group Process in Counseling |
C. Specialty in Special Education (12 cr.)
| S ED 500 | Law, Special Education and Service Delivery | 3 |
| S ED 539 | Behavior Management Approaches | 3 |
| M TH 551 | Graduate Practicum--Seminar II | 3 |
| S ED 507 | Characteristics of Students with Disabilities | 3 |
D. Specialty in Social Work (12 cr.) [Choice of 3 courses plus M TH 551]
| SW 535 | Child Welfare Practice and Services | 3 |
| SW 625 | Critical Issues in Chemical Dependence | 3 |
| SW 908 | Women’s Issues and the Practice of Social Work | 3 |
| SW 925 | Critical Issues in Ethnic and Racial Experience | 3 |
| SW 965 | Human Sexuality: Issues for Social Work | 3 |
| M TH 551 | Graduate Practicum--Seminar II | 3 |
III. All Option I candidates must take six additional hours (6 cr.):
| PSY 514* | Human Development (only gerontology, special education, social work specializations) | 3 |
| M TH 514 | Foundations of Creative Arts Therapy & Psychopathy | 3 |
| MUSC 519 | Seminar in World Music [includes Social /Cultural Aspects] | 3 |
| M TH 515 (elective) | Level I Bonny Guided Imagery and Music (prerequisite for level 2 and 3 required for becoming a fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery) |
3 |
| PSY 572* | Introduction to Group Psychotherapy or | 3 |
| COUN 543 | Group Process in Counseling | 3 |
*Not available for counseling specialization if already counted as supportive course.
OPTION II. Licensure (60 cr.)
Candidates complete 48 credits coursework and 12 credits internship:
| Music Therapy Core | see Option I, core | 18 |
| Supportive courses | see Option I, specialization | 12 |
| Clinical component | Option II section A |
6 |
| Option II section B | 12 | |
| Internship | Option II section C | 12 |
Option II Section A (6 cr.)
| M TH 540 | Clinical Application, Instruction, and Supervision | 3 |
| M TH 541 | Clinical Application, Instruction, and Seminar | 3 |
Option II Section B (12 cr. plus BGIM elective)
| PSY 514 | Human Development (only gerontology, special education, social work specializations) | 3 |
| M TH 514 | Foundations of Creative Arts Therapy and Psychopathy | 3 |
| MUSC 519 | Seminar in World Music [includes Social /Cultural Aspects] | 3 |
| COUN 543 | Group Process in Counseling | 3 |
| M TH 515* (elective) | Level I Bonny Guided Imagery and Music (prerequisite for level 2 and 3 required for becoming a fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery) |
3 |
*M TH 515 for counseling specialization students who have already counted PSY 514 as supportive credits.
Option II Section C (12 cr.)
| M TH 560 | Music Therapy Supervised Internship | 12 |