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
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 October audition date. Theory and history placement tests will be given during organized audition days.
Do You Have Questions?
Contact Our Coordinator of Music Education
M.S. in Music Education
Now, you can complete the Master of Science onsite or fully online!
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. A culminating scholarly project in the form of a thesis or capstone project is required. A limited number of teaching assistantships are available.
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 FIU School of Music 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).
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 inter-personal 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 October audition date. Theory and history placement tests will be given during organized audition days.
Do You Have Questions?
Contact Our Coordinator of Music Education
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.
Children’s Creative Learning Center
FIU music education students will be collaborating with the Children’s Creative Learning Center this fall to provide outreach services and music activities to young children.
Little Kids Rock
FIU School of Music 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.
Orff-Schulwerk
Florida International University is pleased to host the South Florida Orff Chapter’s two week summer intensive Orff-Schulwerk Level 1 certification course for music educators from July 24–August 4, 2018.
