Prospective Graduate Students

Master of Music in Music Education

The Master of Music in music education, offered through the School of Music of ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, provides opportunities to pursue an advanced degree for full-time teachers, part-time teachers, summers only students, and teachers who wish to take a leave from the their positions and enroll in graduate studies full time.  Many classes are scheduled in the late afternoons and evenings to accommodate K-12 and community educators. Summer and hybrid courses (combining on-line and in-person instruction) are also available.

The master's degree program of study includes core courses in music education (curriculum, foundations, psychology, research, social and cultural studies), music studies (history, ethnomusicology, theory, composition, improvisation), and a series of courses designed around each student’s teaching specialization and interests. 

Applicants must submit the online application for the University and the School of Music.  Applicants should hold an undergraduate music education degree or a valid K-12 teaching certificate.  Prospective students with other credentials will also be considered.  Coursework leading to a teaching certificate in conjunction with master’s degree studies can be planned through individual consultation. 

Prospective students should contact Dr. Jill Sullivan, coordinator of admissions for music education. Members of the School of Music faculty can provide further information about graduate coursework.

Band/Instrumental Music: Jill Sullivan
Choral Music: Gregory Gentry, Sandra Stauffer
Digital and Participatory Culture: Evan Tobias
General Music: Sandra Stauffer, Evan Tobias
Jazz Studies Emphasis: Michael Kocour
Orchestra/Strings: Margaret Schmidt

Doctor of Philosophy in Music with a concentration in Music Education

The Doctor of Philosophy in Music degree with a concentration in music education qualifies graduates for faculty positions at colleges or universities in the United States or abroad, and for leadership and administrative positions in the arts and arts education. The doctoral program is a research degree that includes a dissertation.  Coursework options include both highly specialized and cross-disciplinary study with scholars and artists in the School of Music, the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, and on the ASU campuses. Cognates allow program flexibility and individual interests, such as early childhood education, conducting, psychology, research methods, critical theory, and public policy.

Members of each doctoral class are also members of the Music, Learning, and Society Research Group.

When applying to the PhD in Music (Music Education), please contact Dr. Sandra Stauffer, doctoral coordinator, and Dr. Jill Sullivan, coordinator of graduate admissions for music education.  Information is also available from members of the doctoral faculty in music education: Dr. Jeffrey Bush, Dr. Margaret Schmidt, and Evan Tobias.