Music Education
Master of Science in Education
Inspire the next generation of musicians.
- Gain advanced skills in curriculum, pedagogy, musicianship, research methods, and topics in both music and music education, to teach grades PreK–12.
- There are two program options, depending on whether you already have New York state initial teacher certification.
- Nazareth University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Curriculum: Professional program / Extended Program • Affordability • Program Director
Highlights
Evening and summer classes
Traditional (on-campus), hybrid (half online), and online classes offered
Complete in as fast as 12–30 months
Program Options
Professional program (30 credits) is ideal for recent college graduates, teachers, or professionals with initial or provisional certification in music education who seek a master's degree with a focus on music education. Catalog: Program requirements and course descriptions »
Extended program (44.5 credits: minimum 30 graduate credits and 14.5 undergraduate credits, including fieldwork) is ideal for students with a bachelor's degree in music who want initial New York state certification to teach (complete in as little as five semesters). Catalog: Program requirements and course descriptions »
What to Expect
- Nazareth's affordable cost for grad teaching degrees makes this high-demand certification within reach, enabling you to fill a needed teaching position in a school district in the local region or beyond.
- Collaborate with peers, since many of your fellow students are currently teachers.
- Get one-on-one attention from faculty.
- Private instruction on a primary instrument is an elective option.
- You have the option to get specialized preparation in teaching students with autism. See details about the Interdisciplinary Specialty Program in Autism (I-SPAN).
- Benefit from top-notch facilities. The 550-seat Glazer Music Performance Center is designed to provide state-of-the-art acoustics for large instrumental and vocal ensembles, to integrate multimedia collaborations, and to enable live recording.
- Nazareth's full-time director of clinical experiences and partnerships and full-time certification officer provide you with strong support, including prep for certification exams and facilitating hands-on experiences with students. If you're working in a school district, this can include facilitation with your own school district so you can meet degree requirements while keeping your job.
- Your full-time career coach for education (part of Nazareth's nationally recognized Center for Life's Work) is available for resume, interviewing, and job search guidance.
- Additional guidance and support is available from your individual academic advisor and from the School of Education's director of academic support services.
Why Nazareth?
“I had a strong relationship with all of the faculty in my grad experience at Naz and had small, individualized courses. Dr. Koster met with me before grad school and helped me figure out my graduate music education path. Since I wanted to pursue orchestral conducting, I focused my studies on conducting and music theory. I had incredible faculty and courses, including a one-on-one course with in-depth studies of music theory pedagogy where I created curriculum, lesson plans, and so much more. I had the absolute joy of conducting the Nazareth Symphonic Orchestra numerous times. My master’s thesis was on Assessing Relevancy of Topics in the Music Theory Curriculum, which included a research survey with input from 128 people. I had struggled with writing during my undergrad years. In grad school, I took Dr. Roth’s music research and writing course, and she met with me multiple times to help me improve those skills, which boosted my study habits as well.”
— Tyler Nadrich '21, '24G, director of orchestras at Scribner Road Elementary School, Penfield, New York.
Value of Your Degree
- Be prepared and credentialed to teach music to students from pre-K through grade 12.
- Graduates teach music in public or private schools, at colleges, or in the community as private music teachers.
- Benefit from connections to Nazareth alumni teaching music in schools throughout the Rochester region and professional development opportunities at Nazareth and community music workshops.
- Average salary for high school teachers: $65,220, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023).
Making Grad School Affordable
Grants, scholarships, veterans benefits, partner benefits, loans, and undergraduate loan forgiveness are options for paying for this grad degree. Are you committed to teaching in high-needs schools? See if you are eligible for the Teacher Opportunity Corps II (TOC II) Scholarship.
Curriculum Examples
- Foundations of Music Education
- Curriculum Design in Music
- Jazz Music
- Seminar in Conducting
- Music for the Special Learner
- Issues in Elementary Music
- Teacher Learner Research Inquiry
- World Music
- Music Theory Pedagogy
Audition
Audition information: How to Apply