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Department of Music College of Arts and Sciences

Traditional Track: Music (Choral)

Students may complete no more than five approved program courses prior to unconditional admission to the Traditional Master's Program.

Core Courses

All students are required to take five core courses (13 hours).

  • EDU 600: Education as a Profession

    Formal introduction to the Teacher Education Program (TEP). Using writing and discussion, the class provides a clear and realistic understanding of issues involved in choosing education as a career. Writing is a significant component of this course (QEP). 3 hours.

  • MU 502: Methods of Teaching Music

    Teaching music in the elementary school environment. Investigation of critical elements in the teaching and learning process as related to music in grades N-6. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor. 3 hours.

  • MU 521: Foundations of Graduate Study in Music

    Examines the history and contemporary philosophy of music education in the public schools. Curriculum development, conceptual teaching, basic bibliographic and research techniques, and evaluation of the music program, with an emphasis on psychology of music as applied to contemporary music instruction in public schools will be examined in detail. 3 hours.

  • MU 529: Choral Methods and Materials

    Advanced study of the techniques of choral conducting including appropriate gestures, score study, performance practice, choral diction, voice building for choirs, literature selection, rehearsal techniques and working with various types of instrumental accompaniment. 3 hours.

  • MU 615: Technology for Music Instruction

    Explores ongoing innovations in technology as applied to music instruction. Application of computer based technology as applied to contemporary music instruction in public schools will be examined in detail. 3 hours.

  • MU 629: Music Research

    A study of music research, including both qualitative and quantitative techniques. An introduction to research journals, traditional and electronic sources of information, and study development. 3 hours.

Teaching Field

At least 1/3 of the program shall be in teaching field courses. Coursework in the teaching field requires 500 level or above courses as approved by the advisor. 

Students must take one of the following (2 hours) in Music Ensemble:

  • MUP 520: Concert Choir - Performs choral music representing a variety of periods and styles. Some sight-reading ability necessary. May be repeated for credit. 1 hour.
  • MUP 535: Wind Symphony - Performs finest concert band literature. Open to students of all majors. May be repeated for credit. 1 hour.
  • MUP 536: Jazz Ensemble - Performs classic and contemporary jazz, swing, and rhythm and blues. May be repeated for credit. 1 hour.

Students must take one of the following (3 hours) in Music Theory:

  • MU 545: Modal Counterpoint - Characteristics of vocal polyphonic writing based on modal scales with emphasis on the style of Palestrina and other Renaissance composers. 3 hours.
  • MU 548: Orchestration - Subjects covered include instrument construction and acoustics, range notation, and terminology. Basic principles and techniques of writing for orchestral and wind instruments. Guidelines are provided regarding writing for instruments for special effects. It is appropriate for students who have completed a thorough study of music theory desiring more advanced work in arranging, composing, conducting, and analyzing instrumental music. 3 hours.
  • MU 555: Form and Analysis - Principles and techniques of organization in tonal music and introduction to analytical methods. For students who have completed a thorough study of music theory desiring more advanced work in analyzing representative musical literature. 3 hours.
  • MU 558: Contemporary Techniques - Techniques and materials employed in contemporary music, including nonfunctional and nontertian harmony, polyharmony, atonal and serial music, contemporary notation. 3 hours.

Students must take one of the following (2 hours) in Applied Music:

  • MUP 540: Voice - Limited to Music majors and minors. Weekly performance class and private lesson, to be scheduled with the instructor, are required. May be repeated for credit. 1-2 hours.
  • MUP 550: Piano - Limited to Music majors and minors. Weekly performance class and private lesson, to be. 1-2 hours.
  • MUP 560: Music Research - Music Research. 3 hours.
  • MUP 570: Technology for Music Instruction - Technology for Music Instruction. 3 hours.
  • MUP 580: Percussion - Weekly performance class and private lesson, to be scheduled with the instructor, are required. May be repeated for credit. 1-2 hours.
  • MUP 590: Technology for Music Instruction - Technology for Music Instruction. 3 hours.

Students must choose one of the following (3 hours) in Music History:

  • MU 561: Seminar in Music Literature - Selected topics concerning specific periods, genres, and forms. May be repeated for credit. 3 hours.
  • MU 564: American Music - Explores sacred music in the colonies, Anglo-American music in oral tradition, the African slave and his music in America, Stephen Foster, Shape-note hymnody, the rise of classical music in America, jazz, and the American avant-garde. 3 hours.
  • MU 566: Music in World Cultures - Characteristics of musical styles found in various cultures throughout the world. 3-hour option requires semester project directed by the instructor. 3 hours.

Students should select two classes (6 hours) from among the following:

  • EPR 688: Measurement and Evaluation - Basic concepts and principles of measurement and evaluation of personal and academic progress in classroom. Elementary descriptive statistics and measurement techniques used in student evaluation. Quantitative literacy is a significant component of this course (QEP). 3 hours.
  • EDF 600: Urban Education - Urban Education. 3 hours.
  • EDF 602: Critical Social Issues in American Education - Critical Social Issues in American Education. 3 hours.

Required if not previously completed:

  • CY 600: Introduction to Exceptional Learners - An overview of exceptionality as it pertains to children and adults. Both high and low incidence populations will be examined. Each area of exceptionality will be reviewed in terms of etiology, diagnosis, prevalence, remediation, and educational strategies. 3 hours.

Questions?

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