The decision to pursue a graduate degree is one of the most important and exciting steps you will make in your professional development. At Eastman, we offer the Master of Music in Music Education and the Master of Arts in Music Education as graduate degrees that may be undertaken through summer study. Most graduate students enrolled in these programs have full-time teaching jobs during the academic year. They are fine musicians and serious scholars who are working to become leaders in our profession. If you would like to join this highly select group of graduate students, the information contained in this document should assist you.
We are proud that at Eastman you will study with the major professors in music education who teach the same courses during the academic year. This is not like many summer master’s degree programs where courses are taught by part-time summers-only faculty. Also, our summer courses are offered in a predictable pattern so that you are able to complete your degree in a timely manner.
Admission
An application, with appropriate fees, must be submitted by December 1 of the year prior to the summer in which you anticipate beginning your study. Full application and audition requirements may be found at: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/portfolio/music-education/
Academic Advising
All matriculated MM-MUE and MA-MUE students will be assigned to a faculty advisor. Regular consultation with that advisor is essential to the timely completion of the degree program.
Applied Study
Students matriculated in the Master of Music degree in Music Education will be given high priority for placement in the studios of prominent Eastman faculty. Not all faculty are available in the summers for applied study, however.
Students matriculated in the Master of Arts degree in Music Education may enroll for applied study, and may count up to 6 credits of 430 Graduate Applied Study toward the degree. MA students enrolled in 430 Graduate Applied Study are normally placed in the studio of a highly qualified doctoral teaching assistant.
Change of Status
All matriculated students in the MM-MUE or MA-MUE summers-only program must maintain continuous enrollment during consecutive summer sessions until degree completion. Any student who cannot maintain enrollment in coursework must enroll for ESM 985 Graduate Inactive Status or ESM 995 Graduate Continuation of Enrollment, in consultation with the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. Any matriculated MM-MUE or MA-MUE student who wishes to change from full-time enrollment to summer enrollment, or from summer enrollment to full-time enrollment must consult with the Music Education department chair and receive written authorization for the change of status from the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.
MA Field Project
The academic advisor and the department chair will consult with the MA student to assign a Field Project advisor. Any MA-MUE student who is developing a field project proposal, actively working on a field project, or presenting the field project in a public forum must register for at least 1 credit of MUE 473 Field Project. Even if the student has already enrolled for a total of 4 credits of MUE 473 Field Project, registration for 1 credit is necessary to continue. Before registering for MUE 473 Field Project credit, the student should consult with the Field Project advisor to determine his or her availability. A complete description of the MA Field Project may be found at: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/policy/07-00/#07.02.05
MM Comprehensive Exam
The completion of the MM Comprehensive Exam is necessary before the degree can be awarded. MM-MUE summers-only students must maintain continuous enrollment during consecutive summer sessions until the MM Comprehensive Exam has been completed. Instructions for completing the MM Comprehensive Exam may be found at: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/comprehensive-examination-in-music-education-for-the-master-of-music-degree/
Rochester Area Teachers
Any local teacher matriculated in the MM-MUE or MA-MUE summers-only program may register for required coursework in the fall or spring semesters, but such registration is not mandatory.
