Degrees

The Master of Arts in Music Education degree furthers Adams State University’s mission by providing educational opportunities for K-12 teachers in rural areas of Colorado and beyond to earn a master’s degree in music education at a reasonable cost. The Music Education master’s program furthers students’ musical and professional growth, enhances the success of the students they serve, and provides graduate coursework necessary for additional salary credit. The degree offers two tracks, using the cohort model. For the first track, all courses are delivered online and require a three-day summer residency at the beginning of the degree program. The second track is a combined online/on-campus program. Students in this track enroll in the same online core and supporting courses as the first track. Students in the second track choose an area of concentration, in performance, composition, or conducting, in lieu of electives. These courses are delivered face-to-face and require a two semester residency in addition to the summer residency at the beginning of the degree program.

Admission Requirements
Students desiring to enroll in the Master of Arts degree program in Music Education must:
1. hold a baccalaureate degree in music from an accredited institution or hold a baccalaureate degree in another subject and have a.) completed a state licensure program in music or b.) earned a passing grade on a state standardized licensure exam in music or music education, such as the Program for Licensing Assessments for Colorado Music Educators (PLACE), the Praxis exam, etc.
2. have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 for the last 30 credit hours of the degree.
All applicants must submit the following information to the Graduate School, RH Box 31, Adams State University, 208 Edgemont Blvd., Alamosa, CO 81101.
1. An application for admission to graduate study.
2. A $30 non-refundable application fee.
3. Unofficial transcripts (official after acceptance) verifying receipt of the baccalaureate degree.
4. A letter of intent
5. A 2- to 3-page philosophy of education essay that will be used to assess writing skills for eligibility into the program.
6. A complete resume including academic, volunteer, and work experience
7. Two recent letters of reference including reference contact information that outline the student’s strengths and weaknesses, likely success in a graduate program, and what the student will bring to the field of music education. One letter should be from an immediate and/or current supervisor.
8. Students applying to the combined online/ on-campus program with a concentration in performance or conducting will audition in person or submit an audition CD/DVD. Students applying to the combined online/on-campus program with a concentration in composition will submit representative original compositions with their application.
The department chair will notify students of admission decisions.
Degree Requirements
1. Minimum degree requirements are 30 hours.
2. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 throughout the degree.
All candidates for a master’s degree in music education must meet graduation requirements as set forth in the Adams State University Academic Catalog.
- Music Education Online Track
  - Course Requirements (minimum 30 credits)
    - Required Core
    - Supportive Studies
      - MUED 503: Analytical Techniques (3 hours)
      - MUED 531: Renaissance Vocal Music (3 hours)
    - Additional Supportive Studies
  A three-day residency on the Adams State campus in Alamosa, Colorado is required.
- Music Education Online/On-Campus Track
  with concentrations in:
  - Composition
  - Conducting
  - Performing
  - Course Requirements (minimum 30 credits)
    - Required Core
    - Supportive Studies
    - Area of Concentration
      - MUED 540: Applied Lessons (2 hours)
      - MUED 541: Applied Lessons (2 hours)
      - Small Ensemble (2 credits total-courses may be repeated)
        
        MUED 546: Jazz Ensemble (1 hours)
        
        OR MUED 548: Jazz Singers (1 hours)
        
        OR MUED 549: Chamber Ensemble (1 hours)
        
        OR MUED 555: Wind Ensemble (1 hours)
      - Large Ensemble (2 credits total-courses may be repeated)
        
        MUED 545: Band (1 hours)
        
        OR MUED 547: Concert Choir (1 hours)
        
        OR MUED 550: Orchestra (1 hours)
      - MUED 595: Graduate Recital (1 hours)
  A three-day residency on the Adams State campus in Alamosa, Colorado is required. An additional on-campus residency during the first two semesters of the program is required for completion of courses in the concentration area.

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