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.

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.

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.

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 1^st for appointments beginning the following fall semester.

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.

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.

Organized auditions are held: October 24, 2026, November 14, 2026, February 6, 2027, and March 13, 2027

Start Today! Learn how to apply.

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

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

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.

Start Today! Learn how to apply.