Master of Music Education (M.M.E.) in Music Education

The department’s graduate programs include advanced professional and scholarly study for music educators, licensure programs for those with baccalaureate degrees in other fields who plan to enter the music education profession (the graduate licensure program typically requires collateral undergraduate study), and advanced study for individuals in related disciplines. Areas of emphasis, curricula, examinations, and regulations and procedures are described in the MEMT Master's Handbook available online (https://music.ku.edu/graduate-handbooks/).

M.M.E. in Music Education Admission

Standard Admission Requirements for all Graduate Programs

• All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy. 

• Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.  

• English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required. 

Specific Program Requirements

• Undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Resume or CV
• Statement of Purpose
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation (provide professional email addresses within application system)

• Music Education Video. Upload a video or provide a link to a video as follows:

  • Face the camera, State your name, and tell why you are interested in Music Education at KU (2 minutes max).
  • Select 3-4 contrasting pieces (12 minutes max) and demonstrate one of the options (a, b, or c) below:
    1. Play or sing music from different time periods or styles according to your best applied music skill
    2. Conduct each piece or chosen portion thereof without interruption placing the camera so that we see your entire body and face. Conducting can be in a rehearsal or concert setting.
    3. Mix singing/playing with conducting, if desired.
  • Applicants who do not sing in #2 above must sing without accompaniment one verse of a familiar song of your choosing.

Applicants should submit the application by the December 1^st application deadline. We will accept applications after this date, but late applicants may not be considered for funding. Contact musicgrad@ku.edu with questions.

M.M.E. in Music Education

Course and Proficiency Requirements

The degree requires a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit. At least one-half of the required credit hours must be in courses at the 700-level or above. The work must be distributed as indicated in the categories shown on the appropriate Master's Degree Program Plan.

Course Distribution

• At least 17 hours in MEMT including MEMT 812 Research in Music Education and Music Therapy (3 hours), MEMT 899 Master’s Thesis (3-5 hours if thesis option) or MEMT 898 Master's Examination (1 hour if nonthesis option), and additional hours to reach the minimum elected from 700- and 800-level MEMT courses, subject to advisor's approval.
• At least 10 graduate hours outside of MEMT, including
  • at least 2 hours of applied music or conducting;
  • at least 3 hours in music history, theory, or composition.

All selections are subject to the advisor's approval. Students may elect to earn the MME using the thesis or the non-thesis option.

Final Master's Oral Examination (Thesis)

The student must be enrolled in MEMT 899 at the time the final master’s exam is held. The exam will be scheduled for a period of 2 hours. The examination committee shall be comprised of the student’s major advisor and 2 other graduate faculty members jointly selected by the student and major advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to present the final thesis copy to each committee member 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled exam date.

The candidate will begin by giving a twenty-minute oral presentation on his or her thesis, but the exam is not confined to that topic. Thereafter, the candidate will address questions posed by the committee arising from the candidate’s presentation and the thesis document.

Final Master's Oral Examination (Non-Thesis)

The non-thesis option culminates with enrollment in a 1-credit hour in the master's oral examination (MEMT 898).

The student must be enrolled at the time the final non-thesis master’s exam is held. The non-thesis master’s exam includes presenting a portfolio and will be scheduled for a period of 1 hour. The examination committee shall be comprised of the student’s major advisor and 2 other graduate faculty members jointly selected by the student and major advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to present the final portfolio to each committee member 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled examination date.

More information about the thesis or non-thesis option is available online in the MEMT Graduate Handbook.

Program of Study

The Master of Music Education degree in Music Education (MME-ME) degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, distributed into the categories listed below (thesis and non-thesis options are available). Selections must be approved by your academic advisor. A list of all course offerings can be found on the Schedule of Classes. 

Contact Information

• Area Coordinator: Melissa Grady (Music Education), mgrady@ku.edu
• Graduate Student Academic Services: musicgrad@ku.edu 

MME in Music Education Program of Study: Thesis Option

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Research in MEMT
MEMT 812	Research in Music Education and Music Therapy (or equivalent course)	3
Advanced MEMT courses (minimum of 9 hours)		9-12
Applied Music or Conducting (minimum of 2 hours)		2
Music History (MUSC), Theory, or Composition (MTHC)		3
Supportive Studies (minimum of 5 hours)		5-10
MEMT 899	Master's Thesis	3
Total Credit Hours Required:		30

MME in Music Education Program of Study: Non-Thesis Option 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Research in MEMT
MEMT 812	Research in Music Education and Music Therapy (or equivalent course)	3
Advanced MEMT courses (minimum of 13 hours)		13-16
Applied Music or Conducting (minimum of 2 hours)		2
Music History (MUSC), Theory (MTHC) or Conducting (COND)		3
Supportive Studies (minimum of 5 hours)		5-8
Master's Non-Thesis Option
MEMT 898	Master's Oral Examination	1
Total Credit Hours Required:		30

At the completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Develop advanced capacities to work independently and make effective artistic and intellectual judgments and  decisions in the area of specialization.
• Demonstrate advanced competence in the area of specialization before peers and faculty.
• Produce a final project or some equivalent reviewed by more than one faculty member.