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Music Education - Ph.D.

Immerse yourself in the study of music teaching and learning with the Ph.D. in Music Education. As doctoral candidate, you'll be interested in preparing future music teacher educators, engaging in arts education activities and exploring emerging practices in curriculum, artistic instruction and educational thought. Join our community of scholars and explore the cutting-edge of music education research.

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College of the Arts
School of Music
www.kent.edu/music/

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Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education – Ph.D.

The Glauser School of Music has offered the Ph.D. in Music Education for more than 40 years. This program offers career benefits for students looking to specialize in music education and is one of only two public universities in Ohio to offer the B.M. through Ph.D. in Music Education. 

Founded on the principles of sociocultural and multicultural studies, our newly revised contemporary program was designed to meets the needs of music teachers and learners in the 21st century within a supportive and engaging environment.

See our History of Excellence

Mission

The purpose of doctoral study in music education at Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ is to integrate teaching, theory, and research with inquiry about music teaching and learning. Emerging scholars will engage in activities that connect musical and educational pedagogies in preparation to work with pre-service music teachers at higher learning institutions, engagement in arts education enterprises, and the exploration of emerging practices in curriculum, artistic instruction and educational thought.  

A Strong and Supportive Learning Community

The School of Music boasts a diverse and growing community of students and faculty engaged in the study of music education. Consisting of over 90 undergraduate students and over 150 graduate students in the online master’s program – the largest of its kind in the country – you’ll be joining one of the premier Music Education programs in Ohio.

The Music Education Ph.D. program at Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ has a global reach with meaningful impact. Using a student-centered approach, faculty mentors will guide you through your pedagogical and professional development. Candidates will work with faculty and colleagues in instrumental, choral, general music, technology, contemporary curricula, foundational studies, curriculum and instruction, sociocultural and multicultural studies, social justice and democracy, culturally relevant pedagogy, and more.

A Curriculum for the 21st Century and Beyond 

Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ University offers a curriculum designed to meet the needs of today’s educator and gives our students the skills to adapt to a changing landscape from the first day of classes to the dissertation.

Features:

  • Preparation for advanced study
  • Career guidance
  • Specialty seminars for students from diverse backgrounds
  • Unique educational experiences

Designed for the doctoral candidate on the go, the curriculum is specifically crafted for the teacher currently out in the field. There’s no need to give up your passion for teaching or your connection to your students to complete your doctoral work! However, students are welcome to enroll full-time, with many current and past candidates choosing to focus exclusively on their doctoral work. 

Program Information for Music Education - Ph.D.

Program Description

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Music Education integrates teaching, theory and research in inquiry about music teaching and learning. Through a collaboration with Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹'s College of Education, Health and Human Services, the degree program allows for emerging scholars to engage in coursework and research in areas connecting musical and educational pedagogies. Students pursuing the Ph.D. degree are interested in preparing music teacher educators at institutions of higher learning; engaging in arts education activities; and exploring emerging practices in curriculum, artistic instruction and educational thought.

Admissions for Music Education - Ph.D.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in music education
  • Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Current and valid state teaching license earned from an accredited U.S. university program
  • Minimum three years of successful teaching experience at elementary and/or secondary levels
  • Video/DVD sample of school music teaching
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae of professional musical and teaching work
  • Goal statement
  • Scholarly writing sample of related discipline
  • Three letters of reference (professional and pedagogical)
  • Interview with music education faculty (via voice, video or personal campus visit)
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 50 PTE score
    • Minimum 100 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Summer Term
    • Rolling admissions
Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of music education research and practice relative to primary, secondary, undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels through writing and oral communication.
  2. Engage in research activities appropriate to doctoral and professional level practice in music education.
  3. Demonstrate active involvement at local, national and global levels through diverse professional activities, including but not limited to scholarly publications and presentations, collaborative research and engagement with other scholars in order to share knowledge in music and related fields.
  4. Communicate a comprehensive and sophisticated knowledge of music education through the lens of history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, research methodologies, advanced pedagogy, learning theories and methods of curricular structure.
  5. Demonstrate reading, research, writing and critical-thinking skills related to contemporary music education contexts.
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
CI 77001FUNDAMENTALS OF CURRICULUM 3
CI 87000THEORY AND RESEARCH IN TEACHING 3
MUS 73261ADVANCED STUDIES IN SECONDARY CHORAL AND GENERAL MUSIC 3
or MUS 73262 ADVANCED STUDIES IN INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
or MUS 73263 ADVANCED STUDIES IN GENERAL MUSIC FOR CHILDREN
MUS 73283RESEARCH IN MUSIC EDUCATION 3
MUS 86001SEMINAR IN MUSIC EDUCATION I 3
MUS 86002SEMINAR IN MUSIC EDUCATION II 3
RMS 75510STATISTICS I FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 3
RMS 85515QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS 3
or RMS 85516 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN
Musical Literacy Electives 16
Music Education Electives, choose from the following:9
MUS 73272
LEARNING THEORIES IN MUSIC
MUS 73273
PSYCHOLOGY OF MUSIC
MUS 73274
FOUNDATIONS OF MUSIC EDUCATION
MUS 73284
HISTORY OF MUSIC EDUCATION
MUS 73285
PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC EDUCATION
MUS 73286
SOCIOLOGY OF MUSIC EDUCATION
MUS 73295
SPECIAL TOPICS IN MUSIC EDUCATION
Curriculum and Instruction Electives, choose from the following:6
CI 71130
MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION: STRATEGIES
CI 77002
CURRICULUM LEADERSHIP
CI 77003
TEACHER EDUCATION
CI 77004
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN TEACHING
CI 77010
CURRICULUM EVALUATION
CI 87001
THEORY AND RESEARCH IN CURRICULUM
CI 87002
FORMS OF INQUIRY IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
Culminating Requirement
MUS 88199DISSERTATION I 230
Minimum Total Credit Hours:75
1

Students may be required to take courses in music theory, which will be applied toward the Musical Literacy requirement of the degree. Requirements will be determined based on the results of a diagnostic exam as stated in the Music Graduate Handbook. Remaining Musical Literacy credit hours are fulfilled by taking courses in music theory, music history, ethnomusicology, composition, conducting, music performance or other related topics of student interest as approved by the academic advisor.

2

Upon successful completion of the candidacy examination, students take a dissertation topic from the proposal stage through approval, writing, submission and an oral defense process with a faculty committee comprised of the music education advisor, one additional music education faculty member, one representative from music education or education, a member from another music discipline area or education and an appointed graduate faculty representative. Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for MUS 88199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I, and thereafter MUS 88299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000

Residency Requirements

Student must complete a residency requirement of minimum 9 credit hours each year until qualifying exams.

Candidacy Requirements

For the Ph.D. a comprehensive, qualifying, candidacy examination is taken when the student has substantially completed his/her coursework and has received the consent of the advisor committee to attempt the examination. The examination includes an extensive written section consisting of proctored and non-proctored questions, and an oral section taken before a faculty committee. Material for both written and oral sections is drawn from the coursework taken during the degree program, current professional research literature, and current topics in music education. Students who fail the candidacy examination two times will be dismissed from the doctoral program.

Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation for Music Education - Ph.D.

National Association of Schools of Music; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Graduate Assistantships

We offer graduate assistantships in applied music performance, conducting, music education, string quartet and theory. Appointments begin August of the academic year.  

STIPEND, TUITION WAIVER AND APPOINTMENT DETAILS

Stipend

  • All graduate assistantships (Master’s and Ph.D.) carry a stipend.
  • Ranges: $5,500-$16,000, depending on workload and degree level.

Tuition Waiver

  • Master’s Students: 9 credits per semester
  • Ph.D. Students: 9 credits per semester

Appointment

  • Graduate assistantship duties are assigned as appropriate for the student’s area of study or expertise.  
  • Workload: 10-20 hours a week depending on workload and degree level.

TO BE CONSIDERED

Indicate your Graduate Assistantship interest on the Graduate Studies Application.

Performance or Conducting Applicants

GRADUATE AUDITION INFORMATION

Audition Options

  • Virtual Audition
    • Select "I wish to submit a recorded audition."
    • Follow the instructions for completing your recorded audition, making sure to follow the repertoire requirements for your performance medium (voice/instrument).
  • In-person (preferred):
    • Select from the dates listed.
    • -OR-
    • Select "I am unable to attend a date listed above but wish to do an in-person audition. I will contact the School to set-up a separate date."

Click here to review your audition requirements.

Music Education and Composition

Please arrange for an interview with faculty in your area of study.

Priority Assistantship Consideration | February 19

For full consideration, application materials must be received and the audition/interview completed by February 19. However, we encourage students to complete their application and audition as early as possible.

If you are interested in a Graduate Assistantship, please indicate as such on the Graduate Studies Application.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT

Dr. Matthew Holm
Graduate Studies Coordinator
mholm2@kent.edu | 330-672-2522

Music Education Program Overview, Features and Resources

Á½ÐÔÉ«Îçҹ’s Glauser School is a leader in music education in Ohio.

One of only two public universities in Ohio to offer the B.M. through Ph.D. in Music Education. It is also home to the largest 100% online Master of Music in Music Education program in the United States.


Program Overview, Features and Resources 

Our diverse and strong Music Education program regularly welcomes nearly 100 new majors in the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. programs.

  • Access to multiple ensembles: bands, choirs, jazz, orchestra, opera and World Music. 
  • , accessible both in-person and digitally.
  • Nearly 200 annual events and concerts, including live streaming.
  • Breadth of courses available: music theory, history, ethnomusicology, and education.
  • Applied, individual study with faculty artist-teachers: brass, percussion, piano, strings, voice and woodwinds.
  • Field experience partnerships with many local school districts to prepare students for varied music teaching positions.
  • Coursework in cutting-edge areas of music teaching such as music technology, popular music, World Music.
  • Most courses are taught by full-time faculty members with combined music teaching experience of more than 100 years.
  • An active chapter of the Ohio Collegiate Music Educators Association.
  • A Community Music Initiative that connects our School to the Kent educational community.
  • Faculty leadership in national music education organizations such as the Society for Music Teacher Education, Technology Institute for Music Education, Gordon Institute for Music Learning, American Choral Directors Association, American String Teachers Association, College Band Directors National Association, and others.

Degrees and Programs Offered

Majors

B.M. Music Education*Online M.M. in Music Education*
M.A. in TeachingPh.D. in Music Education*

*All Glauser School programs are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.


Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Music Education - Ph.D.

Those who complete the Undergraduate Certificate in Music Education at Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ University can benefit from specialized career opportunities in the music education.

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

5.6%

faster than the average

116,300

number of jobs

$69,690

potential earnings

Education teachers, postsecondary

4.8%

about as fast as the average

77,300

number of jobs

$65,440

potential earnings

Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education

3.6%

about as fast as the average

627,100

number of jobs

$60,810

potential earnings

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

3.8%

about as fast as the average

1,050,800

number of jobs

$62,870

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.