Music Education2023-08-24T11:34:17-04:00

A Degree in Music Education

Whether you are continuing your music education studies with an undergraduate degree or transforming your career with one of our two graduate tracks, you will receive an outstanding education with the guidance of a diverse faculty of world-class scholars, performers, researchers, and educators.

FIU is committed to the mission of graduating educators who are responsible, reflexive, ethical, creative and dedicated to their communities. Job placement has been consistently strong for graduates seeking positions in schools.

With a Degree in Music Education from FIU, You Will: 

  • Advance quickly through an accelerated, cutting-edge curriculum with competitive cost
  • Further your knowledge on a schedule that fits your busy lifestyle
  • Access Florida International University’s extensive resources
  • Join a global network of music educators and alumni

 Florida International University Is Top-Ranked and Fully Accredited

  • FIU is Miami’s public research university, focused on student success. FIU is ranked a top-50 innovative public university by U.S. News & World Report.
  • FIU was ranked No. 3 among U.S. public universities that are 50 years old or younger by Times Higher Education (THE).
  • Florida International University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
  • Herbert and Nicole Wertheim School of Music & Performing Arts ranks #7 in 2020 Colleges and Universities by Hispanics by Hispanic Outlook on Education.
  • Herbert and Nicole Wertheim School of Music & Performing Arts ranked Top 10 of Top 100 in 202 Best Colleges and Universities most popular to study music by College Factual.

Your future is now. Let’s get started!

B.M. in Music Education

The landscape of music education consists of a wide array of teaching and learning approaches, settings, and styles. Therefore, this degree at FIU seeks to provide well-rounded experiences and preparation for Florida K-12 music teaching certification through guidance and practice with world-class faculty. The degree curriculum provides students with core music studies in theory, history, piano skills, and private lessons and performance practices. Music education majors experience specialized music education studies such as coursework in conducting, pedagogical techniques and methods, general education, and orchestration related to the chosen area of emphasis. Students also participate in a wide offering of large and chamber ensembles.

Audition Requirements

Note for Transfers with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree: applicants must also upload a copy of their unofficial passing score report for all four parts of the FTCE GKE.

All Music Education candidates must also audition in their applied instrument.  

All Music Education candidates must submit a 5 minute video which should be properly edited. Feel free to use a creative format.  All videos should, at minimum, address the following issues/questions:

  • Provide background in music and explain your interest in music education.
  • Explain what, in your opinion, constitutes an outstanding educator, explaining your rationale, and providing examples.
  • Tell us about a time when you acted as a teacher and what challenges and questions that experience raised for you. How might it have impacted your decision to become a music educator. If you do not have any teaching experiences describe a teacher you had in the past who was effective and why. Describe a teacher who was not effective and why.
  • A common saying states that: “those who can’t do, teach!” How would you respond to such a statement, and what evidence would you offer?

Audition Dates

Qualified candidates will be invited to audition in person at FIU. Organized auditions are held three times per year, but can be scheduled at other times throughout the year upon request. Applicants who wish to be considered for University merit-based scholarships should attend the November audition date. Theory and history placement tests will be given during organized audition days.

Upcoming audition dates include: November 18, 2023 | February 17, 2024 | and March 16, 2024.

Do You Have Questions?

Contact Us!

Dave Fernandez

Coordinator of Academic Support Services

(305) 348-6183

ddfernan@fiu.edu

 

M.S. in Music Education

Tailored with you in mind, the Master of Science in Music Education can be completed face-to-face, fully online, or as a hybrid!

This degree is highly individualized and provides graduate students with opportunities to pursue advanced coursework and enhance their understanding of music education research, curricular theories, philosophy, psychology, policy, and other areas while also exploring avenues in music history and theory. The graduate degree curriculum is also highly customizable in order to allow students to tailor their experiences coursework toward their own unique professional interests and goals.

The M.S. in Music Education is a research-oriented program designed for practicing music educators. This 30-credit degree program can be completed entirely online or a hybrid of face-to-face and online courses. Upon graduation, students will complete a 3-credit capstone directed research project or may opt to extend their program 2-6 credits to fulfill the requirements of a Master’s thesis.

Eligibility

To be admitted into the program, a student must:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited university or college;
  • Have a ‘B’ (3.0) average or higher in all junior and senior year course work for the bachelor’s degree;
  • Exhibit classroom teaching experience;
  • Submit two (2) letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and a video of classroom teaching;
  • Complete an interview with music education faculty in place of an applied audition.

Curriculum

The curriculum is:

Music Education: (12)

MUE 6938 Seminar in Music Education (3)

MUE 6815 Psychological Foundations of Music Behavior (3)

MUE 6785 Research in Music Education (3)

MUE 6190 Curriculum and Policy Design in Music Education (3)

Music Courses/Common Core: (6)

MUT 5629 Analytical Techniques (3)

                        or

MUT 5051 Graduate Theory Survey (3)

MUH 5688 Graduate Music History Review IV (3)

                        or

Graduate Music History Elective (3)

Personal Focus Courses: (9)

General Electives/Cognate Area (9)

Research: (3)

MUE 6910 Directed Research (3)

Thesis Option: Students may opt to extend their program by adding MUE 6971 Thesis in Music Education (2-6 credits) to their MS in Music Education.

Thesis/Capstone

Satisfactory completion of a culminating scholarly project, either in the form of a thesis or capstone, is required for all students in the Master of Science in Music Education degree. Students will work closely with an advisor who will help to guide the project and provide support and mentorship throughout development.

The thesis is a substantial formal research project that draws conclusions based on systematic research of a focused topic, or question of interest related to the field. The writing of a thesis can be intensive and rigorous, but also rewarding, providing opportunities for scholarly publication, dissemination of ideas, and a point of access for entering future doctoral studies.

The capstone project is meant to provide a synthesis of understanding across a chosen field of study and an application of innovative ideas. While scholarly thinking and writing is involved, the form of the capstone project is more practitioner-based in nature, geared toward applications in the classroom. The project consists of two parts: (1) an inquiry section, consisting of research guided by meaningful questions related to music teaching and learning, and (2) a curriculum project, in which creative learning experiences for students are created based on support from the inquiry section.

Teaching Assistants

The Herbert and Nicole Wertheim School of Music & Performing Arts offers graduate assistantships to exceptional candidates pursuing a Master of Science in Music Education. Teaching assistants are assigned various duties, including teaching, administrative, and clerical duties relative to the student’s expertise. Students awarded an assistantship will receive full tuition coverage and an additional stipend of $7,500 annually. Recipients must enroll in a minimum of nine credit hours each semester while maintaining full-time status and a good standing GPA. 

Assistantships are highly competitive and limited in availability. Preference is given to applications received and approved prior to June 1st for appointments beginning the following fall semester.

Audition Requirements

A 20-30 minute video recording of classroom teaching (should not be a concert or performance)

Upload a curriculum vitae or teaching resume

Submit a 1000 word essay on “The Challenges and Possibilities for Music Education in the 21st Century.”

Upload a copy of your transcript(s)

Provide the names and emails of two people you would like to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

A personal interview will be scheduled after all sets above have been completed. Interviews can be done on-site or done via Skype. All interviews will be no more than 30 minutes long and will focus equally on the following criteria:

  • The capacity to articulate ideas clearly and concisely.
  • The capacity to demonstrate interpersonal skills.
  • The capacity to detail key challenges in the field of music education as well as demonstrate basic knowledge of the field.
  • The capacity to delineate their own educational and professional goals.
  • The capacity to exemplify and qualify pedagogical practices.
  • The capacity to self-evaluate and self-critique.

Audition Dates

Qualified candidates will be invited to audition in person at FIU. Organized auditions are held three times per year, but can be scheduled at other times throughout the year upon request. Applicants who wish to be considered for University merit-based scholarships should attend the November audition date. Theory and history placement tests will be given during organized audition days.

Upcoming audition dates include: November 18, 2023 | February 17, 2024 | and March 16, 2024.

Do You Have Questions?

Contact Us!

Dr. Sandra Sanchez Adorno, Ph.D.

(305) 348.7252

sadorno@fiu.edu

WPAC 145C

 

M.S. in Music Education: Certification Track

The M.S. in Music Education: Certification Track is a professional education degree designed for those who have studied music and wish to become a licensed music educator. This 35-credit degree program can be completed through a series of face-to-face and online courses. Please note that this degree track is not offered entirely online in order to fulfill the Florida Department of Education requirements for certification. This program allows for students to complete coursework in music education, general education, music history, and music theory. The culminating project for this degree is a full-time teaching internship. Completion of the degree and passing the Florida Department of Education Professional Knowledge and Music Subject Area exams will ensure students meet the eligibility requirements to apply to the FLDOE for a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate.

Eligibility

To be admitted into the program, a student must:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited university or college
  • Have a ‘B’ (3.0) average or higher in all junior and senior year course work for the bachelor’s degree
  • Show passing scores on all portions of the Florida Department of Education General Knowledge Exam
  • Submit two (2) letters of recommendation and a writing sample
  • Complete an interview with music education faculty in place of an applied audition
Curriculum

The curriculum is:

Music Education: (9)

MUE 6938 Seminar in Music Education (3)

MUE 6815 Psychological Foundations of Music Behavior (3)

MUE 6190 Curriculum and Policy Design in Music Education (3)

Music Courses/Common Core: (6)

MUT 5629 Analytical Techniques (3)

                        or

MUT 5051 Graduate Theory Survey (3)

MUH 5688 Graduate Music History Review IV (3)

                        or

Graduate Music History Elective (3)

Personal Focus Courses: (14)

MUE 6316 Instruction in Elementary Music (3)

MUE 5xxx/5xxx Instruction in Secondary Instrumental/Choral Music (2)

MUE 6396 Music in Special Education (3)

RED 5339 Subject Related Reading (3)

TSL 5361 TESOL for Secondary Teachers (3)

Capstone Experience: (6)

MUE 5945 Supervised Teaching: Music Education

Audition Requirements

Upload a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae

Submit a 1000 word essay on “The Challenges and Possibilities for Music Education in the 21st Century.”

Upload a copy of your transcript(s)

Upload a score report showing passing scores on all portions of the Florida Department of Education General Knowledge Exam

Provide the names and emails of two people you would like to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

A personal interview will be scheduled after all sets above have been completed. Interviews can be done on-site or done via Skype. All interviews will be no more than 30 minutes long and will focus equally on the following criteria:

  • The capacity to articulate ideas clearly and concisely.
  • The capacity to demonstrate interpersonal skills.
  • The capacity to detail key challenges in the field of music education as well as demonstrate basic knowledge of the field.
  • The capacity to delineate their own educational and professional goals.
  • The capacity to exemplify and qualify pedagogical practices.
  • The capacity to self-evaluate and self-critique.

Do You Have Questions?

Contact Our Music Education Graduate Advisor

Sandra Sanchez Adorno, Ph.D.

(305) 348.7552

sadorno@fiu.edu

 

Community Engagement

Arts@FIU

Hosted by FIU in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Arts Day at FIU provides teachers in all areas of the arts with exciting professional development sessions and collaborative activities led by special guests, university faculty, and outstanding area leaders. The annual event will take place on October 27, 2017, and is one of the largest arts events for MDCPS teachers.

Little Kids Rock

Herbert and Nicole Wertheim School of Music & Performing Arts has partnered with Little Kids Rock to provide music teachers in South Florida with professional development, instruments, and curricular resources for integrating fun and exciting Modern Band classes into schools.

NAfME

FIU’s collegiate chapter of NAfME is a professional student organization designed for pre-service music educators. The organization provides community services to support local schools, including hosting an annual benefit concert, fundraising, and outreach. The collegiate chapter also participates in the Florida Music Education Association’s annual professional development conference.

Sing, Write, Play! Program

Sing, Write, Play!” Program is an extra-curricular music program geared towards 4th and 5th-grade students who wish to gain musical skills and knowledge in singing, songwriting, and playing modern band instruments (e.g., ukulele, guitar, keyboard, drum set, etc.). Initially funded through the FIU Provost-Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab Research Grant in Fall of 2021, the goals of this program include: 1.) provide elementary-aged children in the greater Miami community access to free music instruction, 2.) promote FIU undergraduate music students’ growth, learning, and civic engagement through real-world teaching experience and experiential learning, and 3.) offer a setting for teaching and research concerning children’s music learning, popular music education, extracurricular music participation, professional development, and service-learning. 

Please contact Sing, Write, Play! Program Director Dr. Sandra Adorno at sadorno@fiu.edu for any questions.